I should be researching literature for my final capstone presentation. But I'm reading ASHA articles instead.
Here's an ASHA article about oral motor exercises. It's interesting that, in clinic, many of my classmates were using tongue strengthening exercises for articulation intervention, but ASHA maintains that the evidence is insufficient for it. I get the impression that this is still a gray area. And what about range-of-motion exercises as opposed to strengthening exercises?
Speaking of articulation therapy, my internship supervisor and her colleague really like Char Boshart's workshops. Their favorite motto is "Where the tongue rests is where the tongue moves." If the tongue can't move there, the speaker will compensate with the jaw. I'd love to attend one of her workshops to learn more about her techniques. Here's her website.
I love my internship and never want to leave. But one thing has been very interesting: I have never worked with so many parents before. I am one of a small few in my building who does not have children, and I sometimes choose to let this isolate me from the pack (God forbid I be unique). I'm not sure if having children is going to be a part of my path or not. Many of my friends my age do not have kids. My generation is generally having less children, and it honestly doesn't seem so bad. I see firsthand the amount of time and energy the teachers around me spend on/with their kids. They say it's worth it, and I believe them. But I'm glad that, today, I can be comfortable with both of the potential outcomes of my future.
