About Avivit Ben-Aharon
Founder & Clinical Director at Great Speech Inc. | Providing Innovative Alternatives to Speech Pathology Services
Entries by Avivit Ben-Aharon
What is Foreign Accent Syndrome? Understanding this Rare Speech Disorder
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
What Is Foreign Accent Syndrome? Foreign Accent Syndrome (also known as FAS) is a rare neurological speech disorder in which a person's speech changes suddenly, making it sound like a foreign accent. The individual’s fluency, vocabulary, and grammar typically remain the same. What changes are the way that words are pronounced and [...]
Speech Therapy Post-Concussion: Restoring Your Speech and Communication Skills
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
A concussion can turn your world upside down. One moment you’re fine, the next you may be struggling with headaches, dizziness, or confusion. One of the lesser-known effects of a concussion is how it can disrupt your ability to communicate. What is a Concussion? A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) [...]
The Importance of Parental Involvement In Their Child's Speech Therapy Process
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Speech therapy is an important part of intervention for children with speech and language challenges. While speech language pathologists (SLPs) assess, guide, and teach strategies and tools, parents play a pivotal role in reinforcing the learning and strategies that help their child progress. Parent Involvement Matters Parents Understand Their Child Best * While speech therapists are [...]
From Eye Rolls to Actual Conversations: Why Social Communication Skills Matter for Teens
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
The teenage years are an exciting yet sometimes challenging time in a person's life. Teens are gaining independence, navigating their social lives and school responsibilities while also beginning to think about their lives after graduation. Communication is the center of all of these experiences. This includes not only the words they use but [...]
What Causes Speech Delays in Toddlers? Common Causes Every Parent Should Know
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Speech development is a key part of a toddler’s growth, enabling them to express their needs, interact socially, and learn. While every child develops at their own pace, some toddlers may experience noticeable delays in speech and language development. These delays can be worrisome for parents and caregivers; however, understanding the potential causes can [...]
Do Children Naturally Outgrow Lisps?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
It is common for parents to notice a lisp when their child begins speaking in complete sentences. They may say “thun” instead of “sun” or “thock” instead of “sock”. Parents may question: Will my child’s lisp go away on its own? and wonder when to seek help from a speech therapist. What is a [...]
Speech Therapy Goals: What to Expect at Different Ages for Children with Down Syndrome
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Down Syndrome can affect speech and communication in multiple ways. Understanding average speech milestones by age enables parents, caregivers, and educators to support the child and engage the help of a speech therapist when necessary. It is important to note that children with Down syndrome may develop their communication skills at different rates, just as [...]
How Often Should Speech Therapy Come To You
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
With approximately 1 in 6 people in the United States having some type of communication disorder, many people seek out help from a speech therapist each year. When starting speech therapy, people often wonder how often should you go to speech therapy sessions. This is a valid question considering that speech therapy involves time, energy, [...]
Right-Side vs. Left-Side Stroke: How Recovery Differs for Speech & Movement
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. It can be very scary for the person affected as well as their friends and family. Everything can change in an instant. While many people are aware of the physical side effects, such as weakness or paralysis on one side of [...]
Is It Normal for Bilingual Children to Have Speech Delays?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Bilingualism is becoming increasingly common around the world, and 20 percent of all Americans can speak two or more languages. The number of families raising children to speak two or more languages is increasing. Some may wonder, “Is it normal for bilingual children to have speech delays?” The short answer is no, it is not [...]
Do AAC Devices Delay Speech Development?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Both verbal and non-verbal communication exchanges are crucial for learning, building relationships, and regulating emotions. Strong communication skills enable individuals to express their needs and feelings as well as understand others and navigate social interactions. For individuals who experience difficulties with natural speech due to conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy, Down [...]
How Huntington’s Disease Affects Communication & How Can We Help?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
What is Huntington's Disease Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive brain disorder. It is caused by a faulty gene on chromosome 4 that results in changes to the central area of the brain, affecting a person’s physical, mental, and emotional abilities. Unfortunately, Huntington’s disease does not have a cure at [...]