early intervention- birth to age 5

The Hanen Centre

not for profit organization based in Canada focused on empowering parents to build speech-language skills with fantastic ideas, resources, and articles about early communication skills.

Early Childhood Milestones- CDC

great resource for developmental milestones in all areas of development: social-emotional; language-communication; cognitive; and movement-physical development as well as parent-friendly suggestions for how to strengthen these skills at each age (birth- 5 years) and when you should contact your doctor if you have concerns.

ASHA Communicating with Baby

new toolkit with parent-friendly handouts by ASHA with tips and milestones for communication by age (birth-5 years).

Read Aloud

a non-profit organization that is working to make reading aloud every day for at least 15 minutes the new standard in child care.

Tennessee Early Intervention System

voluntary educational program for families with children birth through age two with disabilities or developmental delays.

Kid Central TN

a resource for Tennessee families covering a variety of topics including health, education, development, and support.

First Words Project

a resource to guide early language development including early gesture development, growth charts, and a screening tool.

Child Mind Institute

a wealth of information listed by areas of concern (i.e. speech and language, media and technology, and behavior problems) and disorders as well as a blog and an ask an expert area.

Pathways

tools to maximize child development including great milestone information, games and videos by occupational, physical, and speech therapists, and fun activities to do at home.

specific populations with speech-language needs

National Stuttering Association

a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing hope and empowerment to children and adults who stutter, their families, and professionals, through support, education, advocacy, and research. Find information about the local Knoxville chapter here – there is a chapter for adults and children and their families (ages 7-17).

Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association

national nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity representing the needs of children with apraxia and their families.

My Autism Team

the social network for parents of kids with autism.

The Autism Society of East Tennessee

local organization in Knoxville, TN with helpful information for parents, local support groups, social opportunities for children, and many more resources.

Autism Site Knoxville (ASK)

a local organization whose mission is to inform, support, and enrich the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families in the Knoxville area, and to educate the community about autism and autism-friendly practices.

Autism Speaks: 100 Day Toolkit

downloadable resource for families of young children recently diagnosed with autism.

Profectum Free Parent Toolbox

parent resource to help you engage and interact with your child with autism- includes 37 online webcasts, 25+ hours of viewing, 150 video examples, and a companion workbook which were developed by the Profectum Foundation and edited and animated by Exceptional Minds, a nonprofit vocational school and working studio for young adults on the autism spectrum with hands-­on training and career preparedness in the digital arts fields.

additional resources for parents of children with special needs

STEP- Support and Training for Exceptional Parents

a Tennessee organization whose mission is to empower parents through information, training and support to become effective partners with professionals in planning appropriate educational programs for their children.

American Speech-Language Hearing Association

the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students.

Mommy Speech Therapy

great resource for speech & language

Mrs. SpeechieP

blog for parents of children with special needs written by an SLP

Teach Me To Talk

fantastic resource for parents of children birth-3 years

Let’s Play: the speech and language way

lots of specific activity ideas for building speech and language during play

Speech and Language At Home

free download of monthly calendars with daily language activities when you sign up for her email list

Tots on Target

A community of parents, teachers, and pediatric professionals joining together to discuss relevant topics and learn from each other in order to help all children reach their milestones.

Mommy & Me Milestones

A website with developmental milestones, great information on signing, a blog, and freebies.

YouTube Subscriptions

Walkie Talkie Speech Therapy– short videos with ideas to build speech-language skills at home

Teach Me to Talk (speech/language)

Melanie Potock (feeding)

The Hanen Centre