The Power of Communication in Making or Breaking Relationships

 The majority of people think that an SLP is all about R's, S's and L's  and a few other sounds, right?  What many don't realize is that improving sounds is just a small part of communication,  

I have always been most passionate about the use of language when it comes to communication.  The "Language" part of the "Speech/Language Pathologist" is divided into three parts:  Form (Syntax), Content (Semantics) and Use (Pragmatics).

Case in Point:  Today is Valentines Day.  We probably all roll our eyes at the pricetags of cute little chocolate shaped hearts and kisses, especially this year with the rise in costs.  

I am nearing the season of life where my nest is empty.  We just married off our 2nd daughter.  The first daughter married in 2018 and has given us two wonderful grandsons.  The 3rd daughter is engaged to be married September 12th and the 4th daughter is a junior in highschool.  The oldest and our one and only son is dating and has been on his own for 8 years now.

It has been a long standing tradition that the children at home wake up to some festive heart-shaped breakfast and goodies surrounding their place at the table - Hubby included.

This year, however, the hubby was up at 2am and off to the office.  He couldn't sleep because of the pile of work that was awaiting him.  The engaged 19 year old didn't want to get up any earlier than necessary to make it to work.  And the 16 year old Junior, eventually made it down, but was so hurried that she was somehow unable to focus on my words and finger pointing indicating that her heart shaped waffles were under the fancy cover already decked out in strawberries and whipped cream.

Instead, she raised her voice at me insisting that the syrup in her hands was HER syrup purchased by HER.  

Then, when my next words were said a bit clipped in their duration, she asked what my problem was.  And I, mistaking her question as a question, attempted to answer it with an explanation as to why I might be a bit wary and hurt in my response after getting up early to make a nice breakfast for her.

Her response that I was now turning everything into a pity party stopped me cold.  I promptly collected my plate - which had been the engaged daughter's plate until I learned she wasn't interested in losing sleep to eat - and left the table - almost making it to my bedroom without a verbal reply.  Unfortunately, I couldn't stop myself. 

"You may have just eaten your last Valentines breakfast made by me.  I hope you enjoy it!" was said with a volume loud enough for the sleeping daughter upstairs to hear as well.

I have reminded myself on several occasions today to be grateful that I once had a season where the children were all anxious to get to the table on holiday mornings and thrilled to spend time with me.  And now, I get to enjoy watching my children share those moments with their children.  I think it's time I called the mother of my grandkids!

A Family Book of Faith

 

This week in the rotation, we are at Aunt Lorna Gail's section of the family tree.

FIrst of all, one of our newest additions to the family shared a touching story about how he healed after the loss of his first wife.  I have  placed all the stories as they come in, in a Word Document under different chapter headings.  After Paul's story, I had placed a footnote "See Also"Guidance Before Trial" by Lorna Gail Nielson Wood.  Both are very powerful stories with lessons we can take from them.  You might also want to go to the Mills Family Book blog and re-read Aunt Lorna Gail's  "Will will Return" for the rest of the story.

Hope you enjoy and look forward to seeing you next week at the Homestead!  I would love to hear your stories!  This has been so rewarding for me and I hope you have found some benefit to reading these stories as well!

Hugs!

Valerie

God Knew What I Needed

 

By Paul Wood

 

My wife passed away Nov 23^rd, 2018 after a long illness.  I was lost, really beside myself. I didn’t know what to do with myself. We had been together for 59 ½ years.  The nights were so lonely and I would often wake up in the middle of the night in tears.  What do I do? Where do I turn?  I prayed.   People here in the valley were so good to me. They brought in meals and truly cared for my physical needs. Then one day out of the blue I had a visitor come to see me.  It was the Stake President.  He visited with me for a good two hours.  He consoled me but I didn’t realize until a bit after that  it was also an interview.  Soon after that I was called to his office and was called to be on the Stake High Council. I didn’t realize that’s what I needed to get me involved and busy but he did and so did the Lord.  I was sustained in Stake conference in Jan. 2019.  I thank God each day for this calling to help me through this very tough time in my life.

Guidance before Trial

By Lorna Gail Nielson Wood

1982-1983  There was two big lay offs from the mine.  Will got it on the 2nd one.  He had been laid off for a while with out success of getting another job some where else.  We got word they were paying out some kind of savings Will had while working there.  We discussed and prayed, prayed and discussed what we should do with it.  We was adding on to our house so had the trailer opened up and the outside walls up but thats all.  Do we use the money to finish it or set it aside to pay the higher heal bills.  We didn't know what way to do.  Finally we agreed and felt like we should  finish the rooms.

A few months later 1984 we was to get a pretty fair tax return back so again we didn't know where to put it where it would benefit us the most.  By now unimployment, even the extension, wad run out.  Our food storage was almost gone.  Back to our knees we went.

One night I woke up in the middle of the night.  I set right up in bed.  Something told me "PAY OFF THE VAN".  It was as clear as if they were right there by me.  I laid back down but couldn't get it off my mind.  Finally I woke Will and ask him if he had even thought about paying off the van with the money..  No he had not so I told him what had just happened and he agreed if I was told this we best do it.  Neither of us had thought of doing this but as soon as the money came we headed for Price and the bank.  OH NO.  It wasn't quite enough.  Now what do we do.  Back home we went.  We knew we had to come up with something. Finally, we thought of the little bit we had set aside to go for insurance and land taxes.  That did it so back to Price we went and paid off the van.

About 3 days later my world fell clear apart when Will left.  I thank God everyday for guiding us the way he did.  I could have never paid to finish the house or make that van payment while by myself.

Life Skills is adding Gardening Classes!

 I have had several requests for gardening classes.  I teach square foot gardening and aquaponic gardening methods.  Please leave a message at 801-282-5965 or email me at lifeskillsacademyllc@gmail.com if you are interested in finding out more!

Time Flies when your keeping busy!

I realize I get way too busy when I haven't added a post on my work website for over a year!  I have been busy working on several different projects in addition to the usual family responsibilities.  I have thoroughly enjoyed proving therapy to my students in speech as well as those we see for swimming lessons at LittleFlippersSwimAcademy.blogspot.com.


Hope you are all hanging in there with this global pandemic.  The online teaching and therapy has become much more mainstream with Covid.

Please email me at lifeskillsacademyllc@gmail.com if you are interested in receiving therapy:  Online or in person.

Thanks!

What I love about Speech/Language Pathology

I love continually learning as the field of Speech/Language Pathology advances over the years. 

In order to be licensed, an SLP must complete 32 hours of continuing education every 3 year interval.  I just completed my last interval December, 2018 and am into the new one.   

I also love working with patients and seeing them improve in their communication skills.  Please let me know if I can be of help!

Valerie

Speech/Language Therapy

If you are interested in receiving a speech/language evaluation and/or therapy, please email Valerie at lifeskillsacademyllc@gmail.com.

Class Availability Update

We are getting pretty full on our summer swim lessons, but have a few spots left:

We have a couple classes that are open Thursdays at 2pm and 2:30pm with McKenzi.

We have some spots in semi-private lessons that require placement testing for grouping.  They are in green on our customer portal.  (Times are between noon and 2:30 Tuesdays through Thursdays and 6pm-8:30pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays ranging from preschool to level III.

Please send me an email if you would like to be contacted if spots open up or if you would like us to contact you for summer 2019:  littleflippersswimacademy@gmail.com.

If you are interested in placement testing, we have times set up before or after class on Tuesdays and Wednesdays or can arrange a time that works for you (contact Valerie at the same email above).

Thanks again for your interest!

Spring/Summer 2018 Swimming Lessons

We have been getting calls and emails asking about swimming lessons.  We will begin offering a few lessons in the coming weeks after school hours.

In order to determine levels for semi-private (and possible group lessons), we are offering free placement testing this Saturday, April 14th, 2018 between 1 and 3pm.  Please complete the following registration Google Form:  Swim Registration and Rule Acceptance Form.

If you would like to sign-up for free placement testing:  Please enter your information on this Google Sheet:   Placement Testing

We will have a limited amount of lessons while school is still in.  If our spots fill, we will have a waiting list available.

Please email us if you have any questions.

Thank you!

Valerie

Summer Time Fun Time!

I have not been great at posting on my blog.  Last post was a year ago last January!  Yikes!

I have enjoyed helping children and adults with Communication Disorders.  Most recently, I helped a new friend with tongue thrust. 

I studied Tongue Thrust under Dr. Marvin J. Hanson, who was a pioneer in the field, doing research on tongue thrust therapy at the University of Utah.  During my time working at PCMC, our manager requested all the Tongue Thrust cases.   While working at the schools, I was unable to treat Tongue Thrust because it is considered health related, not educational.  I understand this, as students are being taken out of their regular classroom when seeing the Speech/Language Pathologist.

So, when asked about Tongue Thrust Therapy, I didn't feel I could accept payment to provide therapy for something I hadn't treated.  My client agreed to be my guinea pig and we were off.  We have almost completed the final step in a therapy program recommended on the ASHA website by Gal Levy, MS, CCC-SLP.

A local orthodontist office had asked me to leave my business cards for Tongue Thrust referrals.  I am debating about doing that now that we have successfully completed our guinea pig experiment...

My husband and I have been fortunate enough to have what we need to support us financially coming from his job as a Sales Engineer.  Life Skills Academy, LLC, was formed so that we could give back to the community:  through helping kids stay safe in the water through our dba: Little Flippers Swim Academy, my Speech and Language skills or piano lessons.  With us, it isn't about making money, but sharing our skills with others (ok I have to admit- depreciating the pool was under the "pros" column when listing the pros and cons of starting our business).

Please contact me if you would like to discuss Speech/Language therapy for your child or for yourself.  I am happy to help!

We are open for business in Lehi, Utah

Life Skills Academy, LLC is located in East Lehi, Utah.  It is great to be seeing students and helping them improve their communication abilities.  It is especially rewarding to have accomplished a long-time college dream by beginning this private practice after a decade of working for Primary Children's Medical Center and Jordan School District (5 years each).

At present, I charge $45 for a clinical half hour (25 minutes of therapy and 5 minutes for data analysis and reporting) or $90 for a clinical hour (50 minutes of therapy and 10 minutes of data analysis and reporting).  For patients paying for the month in advance (4 session minimum) I offer a 10% discount.  That is, for 4 half hour sessions at $180, with 10% discount the cost would be $162 or $40.50 per half hour session.  

Working from home allows me to attend to the needs of my family while also using my hard-earned master's degree to help others, keep my skills up, and be well rounded.


I, like many private clinicians have moved away from billing health insurances as many insurances do not cover speech/language therapy.  If your insurance does cover therapy, and your deductible or co-pay is more than my hourly rate, I would be happy to help.  I am always happy to answer questions.


I will be scheduling evaluations and therapy sessions during school hours so that I can continue to meet the needs of my children.  

The school system is required by law to provide speech/language therapy free of charge to children from birth through early adulthood.  Contact your neighborhood school for information for the developmental preschool in your area.  You might also consider therapy at a local university where students are supervised by a licensed SLP and prices are reduced.

Trent and Valerie form a new partnership!

After being in business as Little Flippers Swim Academy for the past 6 years and relocating to Lehi, Utah, we have decided to take our business to the next level. 

Valerie is finally able to begin her Private Practice in Speech/Language Pathology as well as continuing to manage our swim business.  In order to form one business and meet Lehi City laws for home businesses, we are joining forces under the name of:  Life Skills Academy, L.L.C.  Please note that we will still answer to and can be found as Little Flippers Swim Academy.

Valerie will be seeing speech/language students part-time during the school year while our young children are at school.  Please contact Valerie at 801-282-5965 if you are interested in making an appointment.

We anticipate registering for our 2016 Summer Swim Season in April or May of 2016.  Please visit us at littleflippersswimacademy.blogspot.com