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JSHC Receives IBCCES Telepractice Certification

IBCCES Telepractice Certification

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JSHC Receives IBCCES Telepractice Certification!

We are proud to announce that the Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center (JSHC) is the first speech and hearing center in Florida to certify its staff in teletherapy through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).

To earn Telepractice Certification, staff underwent comprehensive training on how to create a conducive teletherapy environment, protect patients’ online privacy, troubleshoot technological issues, and remotely collaborate with patients and their families.

By receiving virtual care from a Board Certified Telepractice Specialist, patients are able to receive the same quality care that they would otherwise receive in-office from the comfort of their homes. Both speech and audiology care are available through our telepractice program.

This certification also makes our team uniquely qualified to provide online care to patients with special needs that is in-compliance with the IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA. Such qualifications are essential when remotely serving students in the public school system who rely upon regular speech therapy sessions as part of their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).

To learn more about our telepractice program and how you can receive healthcare at home, please click here.

Click Here to Receive Healthcare at Home

Lauren Blunk - IBCCES Certification

Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Certified Autism Center

Support Autism Awareness Month

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Support Autism Awareness Month

Did you know that April is National Autism Awareness Month? This month, we’re joining in to support Autism awareness. As the first healthcare provider in Northeast Florida to become a Certified Autism Center, we strive to participate as an advocate for all those who identify as part of the autism spectrum. Read more

Autism & Commuication

Autism and Communication

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Autism Speech Communication

What is autism?

Autism is a developmental disability that causes problems with social skills and communication. Autism can be mild or severe. It is different for every person. Autism is also known as autism spectrum disorders.

What are some signs or symptoms of autism?

Children with autism may have problems with communication, social skills, and reacting to the world around them. Not all behaviors will exist in every child. Possible signs and symptoms are outlined below. Read more

speech benefits for autism

Learn the Benefits of Speech Therapy for Autism

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speech therapy for autismThere are many benefits of speech therapy for Autism. According to the National Institute of Health, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the name for a group of developmental disorders. ASD includes a wide range, “a spectrum,” of symptoms, skills, and levels of disability.

People with ASD often have these characteristics:

  • Ongoing social problems that include difficulty communicating and interacting with others
  • Repetitive behaviors as well as limited interests or activities
  • Symptoms that typically are recognized in the first two years of life
  • Symptoms that hurt the individual’s ability to function socially, at school or work, or other areas of life

Autism can affect speech, language development, and social communication in different ways for each individual..

Speech Issues with Autism

A person with autism may:

  • Grunt, cry out, yell, shriek, or make other harsh sounds
  • Not develop the ability to talk
  • Hum or talk in a musical way
  • Use correct phrases and sentences, but with an inexpressive tone of voice
  • Make sounds that sound like words or robotic-like speech
  • Repeat what another person says (Echolalia)
  • Babble with word-like soundstage without coherence

Since autism is on a spectrum, some have trouble producing speech sounds to effectively communicate with others. The the person may have developed language skills, but it may simply be too hard to understand.

Communication Issues with Autism

A person with autism may have one or more of these communication challenges:

  • Memorization of things heard without comprehension of what has been said
  • Not understanding meaning of words outside the context learned
  • Trouble with conversational skills such as eye contact and gestures
  • Using echolalia as the main way to communicate
  • Lack of creative language

Benefits of Speech Therapy for Autism

Because of these communication issues, those with autism must do more than simply learn how to speak. They must also learn how to use language to communicate, including how to hold a conversation and tuning into both verbal and nonverbal communication cues from other people.

Speech therapy techniques might include:

  • Electronic “talkers”
  • Signing or typing
  • Using picture boards with words, known as picture exchange communication systems that start out using pictures instead of words to help a child learn to communicate
  • Using sounds to which a person is over- or under-sensitive to expand and compress speech sounds
  • Improving articulation of speech by massaging or exercising lips or facial muscles
  • Having individuals sing songs composed to match the rhythm, stress, and flow of sentences
  • Some of these techniques are supported more by research than others. Be sure to discuss them thoroughly with the speech-language pathologist and your child’s pediatrician.

For more information on our Autism speech and hearing services, contact us online or call 904-355-3403 to make an appointment.

autism awareness

April is Autism Awareness Month

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Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center would like you to join us in celebrating National Autism Awareness Month. There are many excellent opportunities to promote autism awareness, autism acceptance and to draw attention to those facing an autism diagnosis each year.

Autism Awareness

What is Autism?

“Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person’s ability to communicate, and interact with others. ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and early diagnosis/intervention and access to appropriate services/supports lead to significantly improved outcomes.” – Autism Society. You can learn more about Autism at the Autism Society website.

Why use a Certified Autism Hearing Center?

A Certified Autism Center provides a patient-friendly environment that includes the environment and tools necessary for those with Autism.

  • no sensory overload
  • patients ushered to quiet rooms
  • treatment that is minimally disruptive to the patient
  • communication with family members regarding diagnosis and treatment
  • a focus on “yes” or “no” questions to patient
  • allowing patients to see and touch materials
  • a health care professional manner that is direct and factual

Did you know we recently earned our Certification of Autism Care from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES)? Read more about it!

Want to make a difference and support our programs? Join us at JSHC FinFest 2016: Rolling on the River!

For more information on our Autism speech and hearing services, contact us online or call 904-355-3403 to make an appointment.

autism therapy jacksonville

JSHC Earns Designation as Certified Autism Center

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The Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center (JSHC) has earned its certification of autism care from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This designation means that at least 80% of the JSHC staff has undergone a rigorous training process that will assist in providing speech pathology and audiology services for those who have autism. It is believed that the nonprofit is the first healthcare provider in North Florida to undergo this training for its staff.

“I’m extremely proud that our staff has stepped up to achieve this recognition,” said Mike Howland, President and CEO of Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center.  “Communication is a critical challenge for many people with autism and that is where we can help.”

“I strongly believe that creating professional partnerships that help care for those with autism and other sensory processing disorders improves the quality of care,” said Michelle Killian, Director of IBCCES.  “Disparities in patient-provider communication lower patient self-efficacy and usage of preventive services. This training can help eliminate that.” IBCCES was formed in 2001 and is the leading credentialing organization for professionals in the field of autism.Certified Autism Center

A Certified Autism Center provides a patient-friendly environment that includes:

  • no sensory overload
  • patients ushered to quiet rooms
  • treatment that is minimally disruptive to the patient
  • communication with family members regarding diagnosis and treatment
  • a focus on “yes” or “no” questions to patient
  • allowing patients to see and touch materials
  • a health care professional manner that is direct and factual

autism therapy jacksonvilleAutism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a wide range of symptoms and impairment levels.  According to a 2010 study conducted by the Center for Disease Control, one in 68 children in the US have the disorder.  It is five times more common among boys than girls.

The Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center was founded in 1949 by the Junior League of Jacksonville. Today this nonprofit, located at 1128 N. Laura St., serves children, adults and seniors providing screenings, evaluations and treatments in the areas of speech pathology and audiology.  Most major insurances are accepted. For more information contact us online or call 904-355-3403 to make an appointment. Make sure to Like Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center on Facebook!