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Accent reduction is an area of Speech Therapy that is becoming popular in diverse cities like Toronto. Whether you are a longtime English speaker looking to improve your confidence, or you’re new to English and want to improve your speech clarity, one of our therapists can help you reach your goals!

What is an accent?

An accent is the specific way that members of a certain group say sounds and words. Someone might have an accent depending on their country of origin, or the characteristics of their first language. Often, non-native English speakers try Speech Therapy in order to modify some of the features of their accent, and be better understood by friends, family, co-workers and customers.

Why should I try Speech Therapy for accent reduction?

Sometimes having an accent means you have trouble saying a common sound (e.g. ‘r’ ‘l’ or ‘th’). Other times, having an accent means you’re not sure which part of a word should be stressed or emphasized (e.g. “PROject” vs. “proJECT”). When you try accent reduction therapy, your speech therapist will help you to produce sounds properly (by placing your lips, tongue, and jaw in the right place), teach you to emphasize the right syllables, and help you be better understood.

What can I expect in Speech Therapy for accent reduction?

Following an assessment to determine your needs, your Speech Therapist will create a personalized program. You may practice pronouncing single sounds or words, work on adding more melody to your speech, or practice sentences that you say all the time (such as your phone greeting at work or your Tim order coffee speech therapy Horton’s order). Speech Therapists also know a lot about the social conventions of English speakers. Your therapist may help you understand idioms, improve your eye contact, or answer your questions about colloquialisms and slang.

Call us at 416-490-1720 to speak with an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist about your child’s communication needs!

I was interviewed by Today’s Parent Magazine for my professional opinion on whether using sign language with babies would delay or enhance their overall language development.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

In the last few years, baby sign language has gained in popularity, joining music class and stroller fitness on the “must do” list for the first year. But while these classes offer similar benefits — bonding time and a chance to meet parents with similar interests — baby signing has an advantage: giving babies language earlier.

Will using baby sign language delay speech? Absolutely not, says Toronto Speech Language Pathologist, Lisa Altman Strub. “There are no cons to baby sign language. In a language-rich home, you will name things you see, and do actions (with your baby), creating pathways of learning into the brain. Sign language is another way to reinforce language development.”

To read the rest of this article, you can go here.

Call us at 416-490-1720 to speak with an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist about your child’s communication needs!

In this blog, I wish to discuss a “syndrome” that I often hear about when I meet with parents. The “My-Child*-Could-Do-It-But-He-Is-Just-Too-Lazy” syndrome.

This is not a formal diagnosis by any Psychologist or Developmental Pediatrician. This is the diagnosis of a frustrated parent. As the mother of 3 teenagers, I understand this all to well.

In my experience, children generally prefer to succeed than to fail. If a child is fully capable of performing a task, he will do it to the best of his ability. A child who is demonstrating difficulty on a regular basis, however, would benefit from support to help him succeed to the best of his ability.

To start this discussion, I looked up a definition of the word “Lazy”:

“not liking to work hard or to be active” (Merriam-Webster.com)

For example:

1. He was a lazy child who avoided household chores
2. I should have done more work this weekend, but I was feeling lazy.

Many of my clients, however, are using the word “lazy” to describe their children as being: “too lazy to do their school work correctly” or “too lazy to get their school work done”.

How many times have I heard the following?

Parent, “My son is smart and knows the answers, but he is so lazy that he only writes one or two word answers on his reports/ tests/ worksheets/ essays.”

My response to this comment is:

Is your child always having this trouble with his school work or does this only happen occasionally?

If your answer is “Occasionally”, then you probably have a child who, like everyone else on the planet, would rather be doing something fun than stuck inside doing homework.

If your answer is “Always”, then I encourage you to have a discussion with your child. Ask him why he only writes short answers, in spite of the fact that you feel he can give more information. Ask him why he didn’t answer all the questions on the test or homework assignment. Ask him why he couldn’t finish his project in the 2 weeks since it was assigned.

Really Listen To His Answer.

• Does he have trouble organizing the information from his head onto the paper?
• Can he answer questions better verbally?
• Does his hand get tired when he does a lot of writing?
• Was he having trouble figuring out how to start the assignment or how to source out the information?
• Did he have trouble understanding the instructions?
• Did he run out of time to finish his test?

Based on his answers, seek help.

• Speak with your child’s teacher. Ask what resources are available in the school to help your child in those specific subject areas.
• Consider an assessment by a professional who specializes in your child’s area of difficulty.
• A Speech and Language Assessment by a Speech Language Pathologist would assess your child’s overall language comprehension and expressions skills.
• A Psycho-Educational assessment by a Psychologist would assess your child’s learning style and determine his areas of strengths and weaknesses across all areas of learning. This includes how your child processes information, his attention to tasks, memory and helpful accommodations to the classroom curriculum.
• An Occupational Therapist will assess your child’s fine motor skills and make recommendations to improve hand strength and stamina for writing.

Sometimes, what we want for our child, is not always what is best for our child. Make informed decisions.

For example: You may want your child to be in a French Immersion program or take University Level classes in High School. Your child, however, may need to be in a program that focuses on mastering only one language or be in smaller, supported, College Level classes.

These changes can make a significant difference in your child’s success in school and overall self esteem.

Don’t be Lazy. Be an active advocate for your child’s academic success.

Call us at 416-490-1720 to speak with an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist about your child’s communication needs!

This Blog is dedicated to my bright and inspiring sons.  You taught me to listen, and inspired me to advocate. You have travelled from failure to Honor Roll.  Your achievements are the highlights of my day.