Patient Resources

Our goal is for our patients and patient families to feel empowered and equipped to succeed, and our clients tell us that our patient resources play a major role in nurturing that feeling.

Here you’ll find our robust and content-rich resource library, full of links to respected local, regional, and national organizations, as well as agencies and outlets that all pertain to the various therapeutic treatments conditions that we deal with regularly at Carolina Therapeutics.

If you have questions or ideas for resources that should be on this page, connect with us. We’re in this together.

alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC)

• Research from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association indicates that using a multimodal approach to communication is key to increasing expressive language skills, especially for children who have ASD and limited expressive language use.

• The use of “Baby Signs” can be especially helpful in teaching babies as young as 6 months old and children with limited verbal language to increase their expressive language skills.

• Picture Exchange Communication Systems, often referred to as PECS, is another form of AAC often used with children who have limited verbal output.

• Some of the hi-tech devices used in our practice may be of interest to patients and families affected by AAC, including accent devices by Prentke Romich Company, NovaChat by Saltillo, and various devices from Tobii Dynavox.

Apraxia

• The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association provides numerous resources for those interested in learning more about apraxia.

• Kaufman Children’s Center is a leader in Childhood Apraxia of Speech assessment and treatment.

Articulation & Phonological Processing Disorders

• The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is the top resource go-to.

• SuperDuper is a company with excellent educational handouts, resources, and materials – one of our favorites simply describes Articulation Errors.

Auditory Processing & Attention Deficits

• The National Coalition of Auditory Processing Disorders includes a breakdown of “What is Auditory Processing Disorder?” and the symptoms that typically present with the condition.

• Understood.org provides information related to both Auditory Processing Disorder and those who struggle with Attention.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

• The Autism Society is one of the oldest support and research groups relating to Autism Spectrum Disorders.

• Autism Speaks is a wonderful organization that helps others understand more about ASD, treatment, and rights of individuals.

• The International Society of Autism Research provides information critical to the latest research and annually hosts a meeting promoting scientific exchange between professionals.

• Part of the University of North Carolina, the TEACCH Center provides services to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, including diagnostic evaluations, treatment planning and implementation, education, consultation, employment, training opportunities and research.

Autism Books

Some of our favorite books related to Autism Spectrum Disorders include:

• The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum by Temple Grandin and Richard Panek

• Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman and Oliver Sacks

• Carly’s Voice: Breaking Through Autism by Arthur Fleischmann and Carly Fleischmann

• The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida, KA Yoshida, and David Mitchell

Cerebral Palsy

• CerebralPalsy.com is a great resource for all information related to CP

• The CDC provides researched facts relating to this Cerebral Palsy.

Down Syndrome & Other Genetic Conditions

• If you’re concerned your child may have a genetic condition, we recommend discussing genetic testing with your pediatrician or make an appointment with a developmental pediatrician.

• The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte offers great information and opportunities to get involved with an excellent cause.

• With Down Syndrome often leading to Alzheimer’s Disease in the later stages of life, The LuMind Foundation funds research into improving and maintaining the cognitive functioning of those who have Down Syndrome.

• The National Association for Down Syndrome is a great website dedicated to providing education and promoting awareness of Down Syndrome.

Early Intervention

• BabyNet and First Steps both provide Early Intervention support for South Carolina residents.

• Coaching is an intervention technique used by providers with families to improve carryover and generalization of skills within the home setting.

• The North Carolina Infant Toddler Program gives information on the early intervention programs provided throughout all counties in North Carolina. The Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA) helps families and providers in the implementation of the Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) for children ages birth to 3.

• Zerotothree.org has over 40 years of information and resources for parents and caregivers interested in learning more about Early Intervention.

Expressive & Receptive Language Disorders

• Expressive and Receptive Language Disorders can affect both children and adults. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides an excellent resource.

• SuperDuper Language provides a great handout that can help parents of children with expressive and receptive language disorders by using semantic and phonemic cues.

• You may also have some questions on the difference between Speech and Language. SuperDuper has another Handy-Handout for this too.

Feeding Difficulties

• The American Occupational Therapy Association acknowledges how OT services can help with feeding.

• The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association addresses swallowing disorders in adults.

• Friendship Circle offers 10 Things You Should Know about Feeding Therapy.

• The SOS Approach addresses picky eaters vs. problem eaters, and how to treat those with feeding difficulties.

Fine Motor Delays

• The Brain Balance Center provides a quick Q&A regarding fine motor delays.

• The Dyspraxia Foundation provides an excellent overview of symptoms, as well as how Dyspraxia affects children and adults.

• The OT Mom provides some free and easy activities for children with fine motor difficulties.

Genetic counseling and testing

• Your loved one’s symptoms may qualify you for a program called AmbitCare, which offers free genetic counseling and testing to help families find out whether there could be an underlying genetic reason for your loved one’s symptoms.

Hearing Loss

• The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association offers a great guide to how hearing loss can impact your child’s development.

• The Association of Late Deafened Adults provides additional information for those who are affected by hearing loss beyond childhood and adolescence.

• Success for Kids with Hearing Loss provides an excellent resource for parents who are struggling with navigating the complex world of supporting their child who is hard of hearing.

Literacy & Reading Comprehension

• The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association believes literacy and reading skills may be improved when treated by a professional Speech-language Pathologist.

• Speech language-Resources.com offers a wide variety of ideas helpful when promoting reading comprehension and reading fluency skills.

Milestones & Development

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a guide to general milestones for developing infants and children.

• LinguiSystems’ Guide to Communication Milestone provides an excellent resource for most milestones associated with communication and feeding.

• These Speech Sound Development and Articulation Development charts provide a guide for typical sound acquisition.

National Associations

• ABA Therapy – Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)

• Occupational Therapy – The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NCBCOT) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

• Physical Therapy – The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

• Speech Therapy – The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

Regional Medical Options

• Atrium Health and Novant Health both have qualified professionals who treat and work with pediatric patients who have substantial developmental needs.

• The Medical University of South Carolina in Columbia offers Developmental services.

Sensory-Friendly Fun for the Family

• Children’s Theatre of Charlotte offers sensory friendly activities throughout the year.

• Discovery Place offers sensory backpacks at two of their museums.

• Sea Life Aquarium provides Sensory Friendly Sundays.

• The Tiny Playhouse is supported through Mecklenburg County’s Parks and Recreation.

Sensory Processing/Integration Disorder

• A Home Sensory Diet may be “prescribed” by one of our Occupational Therapy providers to help treat the symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder.

• The STAR Institute provides a great rundown of SPD.

• The Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique is a treatment an OT provider may recommend for sensory processing difficulties.

Stroke, Aphasia & Swallowing Disorders

• The National Stroke Association helps patients and loved ones understand Cerebral Vascular Accidents (Stroke) and prepare for the best possible outcome.

• The National Aphasia Association helps patients and loved ones understand Aphasia and how it can impact one’s ability to communicate effectively.

• The American Stroke Association serves as an excellent resource when you or your loved one has swallowing difficulties following a stroke.

• The ACLS Training Center tells how to recognize and react to a stroke, and provides additional resources.

Stuttering and Cluttering

• The Stuttering Foundation provides resources and helpful information to better understand the challenges frequently associated with fluency disorders (Stuttering, Cluttering, and Neurogenic Stuttering).