Dear Christie,
My child needs speech and I am just not sure where to start. The insurance won't pay for it because they say that it is free through the public school! Ugh! I don't want to take my son to the public school, that's why I home school. Do you have any suggestions?

M.

Dear M.,
This is a common question and I know the frustration you feel! You are not alone, many home educating parents face the same dilemma. I recommend Straight Talk 1 for speech articulation concerns. This program was written by a speech path and a home schooling family with many special needs children, the Bushnel's. The Bushnel's have a newsletter called Nathhan that is for home educating special needs and they have a wonderful ministry! You can find Straight Talk and information on Nathhan at www.nathhan.com

Straight Talk 2 is for language (basic language) and, although it is a good program, basic language is best taught by hands on experience and within context than through identifying and naming line drawings. If your child is in need of language skills, depending on the level of the child's language now, you will want to begin by talking about things around the house, name them, touch them, talk about them, etc. For example, talk about the milk being in the refrigerator. Milk is used on your cereal. Milk is used in making pudding. We drink milk with our lunch. Milk is cold. Etc… Always remember to use frequency, intensity and duration with anything you teach.

Blessings,
Christie