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The holiday season is here, bringing family gatherings, busy schedules, and plenty of opportunities to connect! While routines may look a little different this time of year, there are still simple ways to support communication, feeding, and cognitive skills in everyday moments. From navigating holiday meals to keeping skills fresh over winter break, we're sharing practical tips to help you make the most of the season without adding more to your plate. Plus, see what's happening at SASSKC as we wrap up the year!

 
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Cheese balls. Cranberry sauce. Eating an enormous meal at a non-meal time of the day. Sitting and chatting with people who you haven't seen since last year. What do all these things have in common? Holiday meals.
 
Here at SaSSKC, we are preparing our clients for holiday meals. We are teaching ways to reduce stress, feel confident, and focus on safety and participation. From our very youngest picky eaters to clients on modified diets, and even those who do not eat orally, we are setting the table, pun intended, to ensure that holiday meals and gatherings are centered on connection and celebration, not on what or how you eat. 
 
The Holidays are not the time to introduce or carry over therapy strategies. Click the link below to see some tips on how to make Holiday meals less stressful and shift the focus from what's on the table to who's around the table.

 
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Did you know preparing a holiday meal involves many of the same skills we use at school, work, and home?
  • Planning and organization:
    • Creating a shopping list
    • Gathering ingredients
    • Deciding what needs to happen first
  • Attention and memory:
    • Following a recipe
    • Remembering Instructions
    • Keeping track of multiple dishes
  • Problem-solving and flexible thinking:
    • When an ingredient is missing
    • When a dish takes longer than expected
  • Communication:
    • Asking for help
    • Explaining a task
    • Following directions
    • Coordinating with family members
  • Self-monitoring:
    • Checking progress
    • Noticing mistakes
    • Adjusting as needed
Holiday meal preparation is about more than recipes and getting dinner on the table. It involves planning, remembering, problem-solving, following directions, and communicating with others. These everyday activities provide natural opportunities to practice cognitive communication and executive functioning skills across the lifespan. You don't need to add another activity to your busy holiday schedule. Instead click the link below to read on opportunities to practice skills while doing things you already need to do. 
 
If you or someone you love is experiencing difficulty with thinking, memory, or communication, contact SASSKC to learn how speech-language therapy may help.  
 

 
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This past year I have learned the importance of rest and giving myself a break. Being a business owner I often feel like if I am not working on or in the business the momentum of success will be lost. It has created exhaustion and an unhealthy scarcity mindset. Forcing myself to slow down and take time away I have discovered that progress is not lost. In fact, after a restful weekend I come back to work refreshed and find I am more creative and productive. And while therapy is not a job or a business, it can feel that way to our clients. I want to promote healthy boundaries around work and rest and remind us all that the progress made in therapy is not lost during breaks. Click below to view this full article and read a few other reminders as we move into the holiday season. 
 
 

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Holiday parties, family gatherings, work events... the season is full of opportunities to connect! Navigating conversations doesn't always come easily. That's where SpeakEasy comes in!
 
Our monthly communication coaching group provides a relaxed, supportive space to practice real-life communication skills, build confidence, and make meaningful connections.
 
Whether you're looking to feel more comfortable in group conversations, improve your small talk, or strengthen your professional communication skills, SpeakEasy is for you!
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As the year comes to a close, we hope these tips help you find simple ways to support your loved ones while enjoying all the season has to offer. From all of us at SASSKC, we wish you and your family a happy, healthy holiday season!
Speech & Swallowing Specialists of KC
Looking for more helpful tips? Follow @SASSKC for weekly insights on speech, swallowing, literacy, and communication.
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6800 W 115th St
Overland Park, KS 66211, United States