By Marissa Siegel, Owner and Speech-Language Pathologist at Rising Star Speech and Language Services You may have seen someone write a note to communicate their order at a coffee shop. Or maybe you’ve seen someone use a device that speaks for them according to the buttons they press. These are examples of augmentative and alternative…

By Marissa Siegel, Owner and Speech-Language Pathologist at Rising Star Speech and Language Services Do you read to your child? Reading to your young child is research-backed as one of the many great things you can do to boost their communication development. There are so many children’s books out there though- so how do you…

By Marissa Siegel, Owner and Speech-Language Pathologist at Rising Star Speech and Language Services Did you know that approximately 1 in 4 American adults have a disability? According to the CDC, that includes over 61 million people. Specifically in Virginia, 23.6% of adults are living with a disability. The ADA, or Americans with Disabilities Act,…

By Marissa Siegel, Owner and Speech-Language Pathologist at Rising Star Speech and Language Services At the end of the day, do you ever end up with a super hoarse voice that no amount of water can alleviate? You may be suffering from “teacher voice.” While that’s not a technical term, teachers are at a significantly…

By Marissa Siegel, owner and Speech-Language Pathologist at Rising Star Speech and Language Services Do you know someone who stutters? Apart from the stereotypes we typically see and hear about, what is it really? Read on to find out more about stuttering and ways to support people who stutter. Here’s what stuttering is NOT: Stuttering…

By Marissa Siegel, owner and Speech-Language Pathologist at Rising Star Speech and Language Services Nowadays, everything and everyone seems to have gone online. Professionals such as speech-language pathologists, doctors, and physical therapists are starting to offer (or make more widely available) telehealth visits for both children and adults. Here are some things you can do…

By Marissa Siegel Do you have a burgeoning baker on your hands? Turn those interests into communication (and culinary!) discovery. Working on speech and language at home can help your child increase their own understanding and help them feel confident communicating their wants and needs. Cooking allows families to spend time together, developing hobbies and…

Do you have a cat, a dog, or even a pet rock? There are so many enjoyable ways to encourage your child’s communication development at home. One of those ways is playing with pets! Pets provide not only entertainment and companionship, but also communication opportunities. Speech and language can be worked on during everyday activities…