Childhood Speech and Language Disorders

Ducharme’s guidebook delivers on the promise of its parent series, Whole Family Approaches to Childhood Illnesses and Disorders. The compassionate, knowledgeable author, who has spent more than two decades as a pediatric speech and language pathologist, reassuringly spells out the issues for parents whose kids will experience lifelong challenges related to a communications disorder, Ducharme’s own child among them. Some advice may seem obvious, if important, such as 'sleep, water and good nutrition are critical to the health and success of both you and your child.' But overall, Ducharme provides specific, high-quality tips. For example, she includes a table that shows the sounds most kids learn at different ages. Mastery of r can take up to eight years, and children with a strong Boston accent may never get it right at the end of words. She ends with an excellent list of resources, including the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This empowering, can-do look at a category of disorders that can affect as many as 1 in 10 children is an excellent addition to practical health collections. * Booklist * Childhood Speech and Language Disorders provides families with information and resources, but also support and perspective. Using real stories throughout, Ducharme is able to illustrate the range of difficulties, challenges, and triumphs of families who love and support children with speech and language issues. Enhanced with the inclusion of two appendices (Speech Sound Development; Channeling Your Emotions), a four page list of Resources, four pages of Notes, a four page Bibliography, and a four page Index, Childhood Speech and Language Disorders: Supporting Children and Families on the Path to Communication is the latest addition to the outstanding Whole Family Approaches to Childhood Illnesses and Disorders series from Rowman & Littlefield. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, Childhood Speech and Language Disorders is especially appropriate for non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject, as well as very highly recommended for both community and academic library Family & Relationship collections in general, and Childhood Learning Disorders supplemental studies reading lists in particular. * Midwest Book Review * This emotionally compelling book illustrates the value of a speech-language pathologist’s role in facilitating effective communication but also demonstrates the caring and compassionate side of such a helping profession as described by Ducharme. Parents (and others interested in speech-language pathology) will benefit highly from this informative book. -- Brian B. Shulman, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow, BCS-CL, FASAHP, Professor of Speech-Language Pathology, School of Health and Medical Sciences; Professor of Pediatrics, Seton Hall-Hackensack School of Medicine Suzanne Ducharme’s book is a “must have” for families and professionals. The book provides talking points that are current, purposeful, and easy to follow. The family oriented approach is both smart and sustainable. Ducharme’s valuable experience is captured on every page providing the reader with generous insight from her outstanding clinical career with children and parents. -- Charlena Seymour, Phd, Former President American Speech Language Hearing Association Suzanne’s fine-tuned clinical skills in conjunction with her deep love of her patients and their families are evident in this book. While thorough and informative this book reads as a candid dialogue between a compassionate practitioner and parents seeking guidance in navigating the world of speech and language acquisition. Her extensive knowledge and experience in the area of child language development and disorders helped to shape a book that is an all-encompassing reference guide for parents. -- Sharla Marcotte, MS, CCC-SLP, Beth-Israel Deaconess Hospital at Plymouth Ducharme's book has a conversational style that guides and informs parents. She frames the therapeutic relationship as one in which professionals serve as guides for families. Our role as pediatric speech-language pathologists/ audiologists is to empower parents so that intervention is family centered and happens continuously. This book is invaluable for families and providers. -- Mary Ellen Curran, AuD, CCC-A, Audiologist and Trainer, Rexton