Through a child's ears ‘Speech Class Rules’ builds understanding among kids
By SUSAN JURGELSKI Lancaster New Era
Published: Aug 07, 2007 10:55 AM EST
LANCASTER, Pa. - Elementary-school students often called her the "speech lady."
But did they really understand what she did?
Ronda M. Wojcicki, a former Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center speech language pathologist, wanted to help children understand what a "speech lady" actually did.
So she wrote a book for them — and for parents and teachers, too.
She is also donating $5 from the sale of each $19.95 book to the Schreiber Center.
"When I first started practicing in public schools, it really struck me that people outside of speech language pathology had no idea what speech therapy was all about, who went and why they went," says Wojcicki.
Wojcicki's book, "Speech Class Rules," which is self-published by The Speech Place Publishing, explains the role of a speech therapist through a fictional child's eyes — and ears.
***
Her name is Laney Lynn.
As part of her graduation ceremony from speech class, Laney Lynn, who has had trouble mixing up words, has to speak in front of a group. She is scared, sort of like when she started therapy.
But in the book, Laney Lynn's graduation becomes a celebration.
Through "Speech Class Rules," Wojcicki hopes to put children at ease with starting speech therapy.
"For kids, there can be anxiety with anything new," she says. "They could think speech therapy was like going to a dentist or doctor."
Wojcicki's main character shows kids there's no reason to be scared.
And they are not alone.
"There's an instant bond for kids (in speech therapy), who may feel alone in a sea of elementary, middle or high school," Wojcicki says. "To have an ally with your same impairment is huge."
For Schreiber speech language department head Dorlas Riley, the book has certainly been an ally when she introduces it in speech-therapy sessions.
"Kids say, 'I do that,' or recognize what other kids are working on," she says. "The book, the topic, the illustrations are great."
***
In 1998, when Wojcicki was working as a school speech therapist, she had her first brainstorm.
How could she help people, especially kids, understand her role?
"I would come to get a child out of class, and the other kids would say to each other, 'Where's he going?' "
She started searching for kid-oriented books on the subject.
"I exhausted every search, so I told my husband, 'If nobody else writes it, I'm going to write it,' " she says.
Wojcicki earned her bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va., and her master's degree in speech pathology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
She worked in Virginia and New Jersey public schools before coming to the Schreiber Center in 2005.
After joining Schreiber — where her older son also attended the integrated preschool — Wojcicki decided it was time to start writing.
She researched the book for a year. After writing it, she found an illustrator, designer and printer.
The book, which Wojcicki dedicated to her husband, sons and father, is geared toward children ages kindergarten and up.
In telling the story of Laney Lynn and her fellow speech-therapy class members, Wojcicki explains some of the common speech disorders from Laney Lynn's perspective.
Each character's first initial correlates with the name of his or her speech problem.
By centering the story around the class graduation, Wojcicki hopes to demonstrate that kids who complete speech therapy should be recognized.
"Other children have ceremonies for accomplishments," she says.
Also included in the book are discussion questions for both parents and teachers.
"As soon as I knew Ronda was writing the book, I said I'd buy one," says Jeannie Eichelberger, a Schreiber receptionist whose grandson, Cole Hadley, 6, receives speech therapy. "I just gave it to him for his birthday. He loved looking at all the pictures.
"I think the book is wonderful and so well illustrated."
Wojcicki recently unveiled the book at the American Speech Language Hearing Association schools convention in Pittsburgh, and many parents purchased the book to help educate teachers, she says.
She also returned to Schreiber to read the book, and plans to read it at libraries in Mercer County, N.J.
Children especially seem to relate to the illustrations, she says.
In fact, kids pick out characters they think resemble them.
"Children like to talk about their own experience, and when they can relate to something, it's the crux of the discussion.
"This gives them the chance to shine." FOR YOUR INFORMATION To order "Speech Class Rules" by Ronda Wojcicki, go to www.TheSpeechPlace.com, e-mail cs@thespeechplace.com or visit the Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center, 625 Community Way, Lancaster.
Cost is $19.95.
Published: Aug 07, 2007 10:55 AM EST
LANCASTER, Pa. - Elementary-school students often called her the "speech lady."
But did they really understand what she did?
Ronda M. Wojcicki, a former Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center speech language pathologist, wanted to help children understand what a "speech lady" actually did.
So she wrote a book for them — and for parents and teachers, too.
She is also donating $5 from the sale of each $19.95 book to the Schreiber Center.
"When I first started practicing in public schools, it really struck me that people outside of speech language pathology had no idea what speech therapy was all about, who went and why they went," says Wojcicki.
Wojcicki's book, "Speech Class Rules," which is self-published by The Speech Place Publishing, explains the role of a speech therapist through a fictional child's eyes — and ears.
***
Her name is Laney Lynn.
As part of her graduation ceremony from speech class, Laney Lynn, who has had trouble mixing up words, has to speak in front of a group. She is scared, sort of like when she started therapy.
But in the book, Laney Lynn's graduation becomes a celebration.
Through "Speech Class Rules," Wojcicki hopes to put children at ease with starting speech therapy.
"For kids, there can be anxiety with anything new," she says. "They could think speech therapy was like going to a dentist or doctor."
Wojcicki's main character shows kids there's no reason to be scared.
And they are not alone.
"There's an instant bond for kids (in speech therapy), who may feel alone in a sea of elementary, middle or high school," Wojcicki says. "To have an ally with your same impairment is huge."
For Schreiber speech language department head Dorlas Riley, the book has certainly been an ally when she introduces it in speech-therapy sessions.
"Kids say, 'I do that,' or recognize what other kids are working on," she says. "The book, the topic, the illustrations are great."
***
In 1998, when Wojcicki was working as a school speech therapist, she had her first brainstorm.
How could she help people, especially kids, understand her role?
"I would come to get a child out of class, and the other kids would say to each other, 'Where's he going?' "
She started searching for kid-oriented books on the subject.
"I exhausted every search, so I told my husband, 'If nobody else writes it, I'm going to write it,' " she says.
Wojcicki earned her bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va., and her master's degree in speech pathology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
She worked in Virginia and New Jersey public schools before coming to the Schreiber Center in 2005.
After joining Schreiber — where her older son also attended the integrated preschool — Wojcicki decided it was time to start writing.
She researched the book for a year. After writing it, she found an illustrator, designer and printer.
The book, which Wojcicki dedicated to her husband, sons and father, is geared toward children ages kindergarten and up.
In telling the story of Laney Lynn and her fellow speech-therapy class members, Wojcicki explains some of the common speech disorders from Laney Lynn's perspective.
Each character's first initial correlates with the name of his or her speech problem.
By centering the story around the class graduation, Wojcicki hopes to demonstrate that kids who complete speech therapy should be recognized.
"Other children have ceremonies for accomplishments," she says.
Also included in the book are discussion questions for both parents and teachers.
"As soon as I knew Ronda was writing the book, I said I'd buy one," says Jeannie Eichelberger, a Schreiber receptionist whose grandson, Cole Hadley, 6, receives speech therapy. "I just gave it to him for his birthday. He loved looking at all the pictures.
"I think the book is wonderful and so well illustrated."
Wojcicki recently unveiled the book at the American Speech Language Hearing Association schools convention in Pittsburgh, and many parents purchased the book to help educate teachers, she says.
She also returned to Schreiber to read the book, and plans to read it at libraries in Mercer County, N.J.
Children especially seem to relate to the illustrations, she says.
In fact, kids pick out characters they think resemble them.
"Children like to talk about their own experience, and when they can relate to something, it's the crux of the discussion.
"This gives them the chance to shine." FOR YOUR INFORMATION To order "Speech Class Rules" by Ronda Wojcicki, go to www.TheSpeechPlace.com, e-mail cs@thespeechplace.com or visit the Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center, 625 Community Way, Lancaster.
Cost is $19.95.