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There it was on August 6, 2007 on my computer screen.An answer to a prayer.A confirmation of what I’d been telling parents who had asked my opinion.A virtual replay of what my friends, who also happen to be pediatric therapists, and I had discussed time and time again.What, you ask, was this wonderful, new, exciting information?What was this piece of genius that made me just giddy reading about it in the mainstream media?Here it is –
Baby Einsteins:Not So Smart After All?
If you want to read the whole article for yourself, you can it at: http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1650352,00.html
For those of you who don’t want to read it, I’ll sum it up for you.All those videos that are made especially for babies are actually BAD for their language development.It’s true.Researchers at the University of Washington found that for every hour per day spent watching baby DVDs and videos, the infants learned six to eight fewer new vocabulary words than babies who never watched the videos.The videos had the worst effects on babies ages 8-16 months old.
This is stunning news for some parents who believe that parking your kid in front of a screen of educational television had to help him learn to talk.Actually there seems to be two main reasons why this thinking is false.First of all, babies need face time, not screen time, to learn how to interact and communicate.When the TV is on, babies are not spending time with adults.
All of that passive viewing also has another detrimental affect on babies brain development.Dr. Vic Strasburger, professor of pediatrics at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and a spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), stated viewing these programs at an early age probably interferes with the crucial wiring being laid down in their brains during early development.
This is not the first time the AAP has issued warnings about early television viewing.In 1999 their advice to parents was stunning yet similar No TV for children under age 2.This includes even educational programming, even the shows that come on public television.Parents, who might have been leery of letting babies watch soap operas or wrestling, never had many reservations about Sesame Street.Despite the AAP’s negative position, edutainment, television and videos designed supposedly designed to teach while entertaining babies and toddlers, sales have grown at breakneck speed.
The research tells us that it’s the rapid scene changes that cause babies brains to scan and shift rather than attend to what they are seeing.This early viewing may actually change the way babies brains are wired at an important time and cause later attention problems as babies grow.Dr. Jill Stamm, neuroscientist from Arizona and author of Bright from the Start (Gotham Books, 2007), believes that this may explain the explosion in diagnosed cases of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.
Anecdotally, I can tell give you remarkable stories about children on my caseload who were heavy television viewers and made dramatic gains in social skills, play skills, and most importantly, language skills, when their parents drew a line in the sand and declared their homes (mostly) TV-free.That’s not to say that these same moms didn’t watch Grey’s Anatomy after the toddler was safely tucked away or allow limited viewing for their babies.One family on my caseload with triplets saved television for very stressful times such as during the bewitching hour, the hour between arriving home in the evening and when dinner is ready.
I recommend to parents that they analyze the reason they are using videos or television.Putting in a DVD so you can grab a shower or make a very short business call is likely not going to lead to any long term damage.However, routinely using the videos and television is proving to be negligent.But don’t deceive yourself about the purpose of the viewing.It’s a diversion and free babysitting, not a way to make your baby smarter.
So what’s a crazy, busy mother supposed to do without the lifesaving DVD player in the van twice a day everyday during carpool or every night at dinner so mom and dad can eat?My advice to you is simple.Find something else to do to amuse your baby.Use the time in the car to talk or listen to music.Better yet, turn off the CD player and sing yourself!Take toys with you to the restaurant, or hire a sitter who can talk to and play with your child while you enjoy a dinner alone.Still not convinced that you have any other options?Call your mom and ask her because they raised all of us without that luxury.
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"Laura, I am a long time follower. You have mentored me from a distance for many years. I've watched many of your courses and purchased 5-6 of your books. I just wanted to take a moment as a sister in Christ to say- --- Thank you!! I'm in my 33rd year as an SLP and still love it! I work in the public schools and have grown my skills along the way with your help. Thank you thank you thank you and, Many blessings to you and your daughter!!!"
Camille, SLP
"Laura,
Three years ago, my then 2year old (adopted) was only saying two words - momma and boat. We had been doing speech therapy for 6 months, and he loved to play, but he was entirely uninterested in talking. A dear friend who is a SLP recommended I look you up online. Since then, I've read your emails, listened to hours of your podcasts, ordered two of your therapy manuals, and watched many of your videos.
My now 5year old tells elaborate stories now, and if you didn't know his background, you would never guess. And thanks to the hours that I have spent with your guidance, when our next son, now a 2.5yr old, didn't talk (after a craniotomy), I had tools to get started with him. His speech has just taken off in the last month or so.
Thank you so much for all that you do to help parents facilitate speech therapy with their kiddos. And thank you for your gentle, confident living of your faith.
God's blessings."
Rachel (mom to 3 boys in a now very noisy house!)
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I became an SLP in 2004 and you were my first SLP crush! I was so fortunate to have a supportive school district that allowed me to purchase your videos and the Teach Me to Talk handbook. Not only was the handbook a life saver (I literally called it my Bible lol), but the videos, oh how the videos changed my life, and the lives of the families I worked with! I remember telling my families that they'd love you, not only because you spoke directly to families, jargon free, but also because of your southern dialect. You speak directly and clearly, but never rushed and never over anyone's head, something I highly value. I told families that I could listen to you read the phone book and it would capture my attention. You see, I'm from Ohio where we don't get a whole lot of diversity and cool dialects, so listening to you talk about my favorite topics was a breath of fresh air. So many of us think talking over people's heads makes us more credible or whatever, but now that I've been around over 20 years, I can say you had it right all along. Southern speech included 😊"
Heather Welling, M.A., CCC-SLP, Early Intervention in Summit County, OH
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Elizabeth, SLP
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Leah, SLP
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Ellen, SLP
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Elizabeth, SLP
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Heidi, SLP
"I appreciated learning the 7 C's of Communication, which seemed to include, (restated/reorganized/ summarized) information from '11 Skills Toddlers Master Before Words Emerge', which I have successfully used for years now (Thank you so much!!!!). I appreciated the additional information included to better assist toddlers with ASD since that population, unfortunately, continues to rise. I also appreciated the focus on regulating children and the need to keep them regulated, since dysregulation and sensory impairment in toddlers is also rising. These are areas I did not study in grad school. I appreciate the worksheets we can provide for parents to identify strengths and how to use these strengths more effectively in treatment. Thank you again, for your essential contribution to our field. p.s. You and Macy are precious!! God bless you both!"
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Susan, SLP
"Dear Ms. Laura and sweet Macy, I just purchased the new course and wanted to say THANK YOU! I would have definitely expected such cutting-edge information to come from you! I am part of several message boards for parents of autistic children, and we parents are just so tired of being told by professionals what our children can't or will never do. And really, what is the point of doing that? How does that help at all? Except to make the parent miserable and feel like there is no point in trying to help their child?...The tone of the course is great (such positivity), and Macy is such a delight! She is such a wonderful addition to Teach me to Talk."
Ann, SLP
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Colleen, SLP
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Natalie, SLP
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Kelsey, SLP
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A, SLP
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Christine, SLP
"Wow, this course was by far my favorite course I have taken in a long time! I have been lately feeling "stuck" with a few of my autistic toddler clients, and this course provided clear and helpful tools and strategies to best support our clients while also being affirming. I loved all of the ideas that were provided as well as the Strengths Survey – I can't wait to implement all of these wonderful things!"
Isabel, SLP
“The most beneficial part of the course was the handouts to share with parents and ALL the therapy ideas!! I've always felt that we focus on the 10% a kiddo can't do instead of the 90% Can Do. I have always tried to do this in my therapy sessions. Now I have evidenced material for support!!!!!”
Suzanne, SLP
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Terri, SLP
“This was a fresh new philosophy and a comprehensive approach with a new concept for successfully working with children with Autism. Before this ,the very structured, compliance teaching model which has been utilized by many therapists using comply-reward, noncompliance -punish or a with-hold philosophy. Children with Autism became prompt-.dependent with this method. These Children couldn't initiate language or make a plan to move on their own. They had to wait to be prompted to act or to respond and never spoke spontaneously on their own. I and many of my SLP colleagues have always believed in play therapy and giving the child choices to play works best. It is very important that Parents should hear about this strategy! Thank you Laura and Macy for doing the evidence-based research and putting this new concept into words!!”
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F, SLP
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Brittni
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Stacey
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Thank you so much for all your hard work and publishing books! Our 17-month-old toddler suddenly exploded into speaking and imitating everybody's gestures and sounds, just a week or two after we 'completed' all activities that are listed under 11 pre-linguistic skills! Your method really works!"
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"Hi Laura!
I absolutely LOVE all of your workbooks, especially your Autism Workbook. Starting with Social Games has been a game changer for many of my littles with ASD and their families. It's been the best way for them to finally connect and sustain shared attention and engagement, leading to longer social interactions, through play!"
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Thank you so much for the videos you have posted on your youtube channel. They are so direct, informative, and helpful. Thank you for being a resource for me to become a better therapist."
Dianne
