These are the
basic steps of language development in the young mind. Yet, there are otherwise
normal, healthy children, rich and poor alike, who are shut off from
communication, even with their own parents!
These children's
hearing, speech, language, or learning problems could arise from a variety of
reasons. Research continues on the causes of poor speech and language
development, as well as associated learning disabilities in children. In
Virginia, Scottish Rite Masons support three Research Institutes located at the
Scottish Rite Temple in Richmond, James Madison University and Old Dominion
University for these communication disorders. Because there is a wide age range
for children to begin talking, parents may not at first recognize these
communication disorders. As they wait expectantly for the first intelligible
word uttered by their child, they may gradually become concerned that something
is amiss. Speech-language disorders affect approximately six million children in
the United States. However, many of these childhood problems do not mean mental
deficiency or emotional disturbance. Often, these children have at least average
or even superior intelligence. What they lack is the ability to exercise this
intelligence through normal speech and language channels. Today, at Scottish
Rite clinics, centers, and programs in every Orient (state) of the Southern
Jurisdiction, many children with communication disorders can be helped to hear,
to speak, to understand.
The Miracle of the
Scottish Rite Clinics, Centers, and Programs for Childhood Language
Disorders
In the early
1950s in Colorado, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Southern Jurisdiction
of the United States initiated a program to help children with speech and
language disorders. The results obtained from this program led to the
establishment of Scottish Rite clinics to provide diagnostic evaluation and
treatment of speech and language disorders, as well as learning disabilities.
Today there are
113 Scottish Rite clinics, centers, and special programs for children and
therapists located throughout the United States. Speech-language pathologists or
other trained personnel staff each facility. Through the support of Scottish
Rite members, these clinics, centers, and programs continue to increase. The
value of this philanthropy has long been apparent. Tens of thousands of
youngsters across the United States have been helped significantly. With the
good work of dedicated clinicians and parents, the Scottish Rite has achieved
successes that could only be imagined a few years back. Children who might have
remained educationally handicapped for a lifetime can now talk, read, and lead
useful lives.
Results That Touch the
Heart
A child so
frustrated that he was hyperactive became a productive learner.
A child who was
alienated and depressed because of language impairment and who was devastating
his household became friendly and responded in a happy manner to gentle
sustained treatment.
A little girl who
was thought retarded reached out and spoke the names of her parents.
A boy who had a seemingly hopeless speech
problem is today a successful lawyer.
How to Identify Speech and Language
Disorders and Associated Learning Disabilities
Children who have
these problems are sometimes hard to detect. As noted before, there is a wide
age range for children to begin talking. Parents may become concerned later than
desirable, may not recognize, or may misinterpret the symptoms. These children
are often slow in developing a vocabulary or are difficult to understand using
incomplete or incorrect sentences or gibberish.
They may have
difficulties with attention, memory, or word retrieval. They may be slow in
processing auditory information. There are many technical diagnostic terms for
these problems, and some of them can sound terrifying to parents. However,
parents must remember that many of these dysfunctions do not mean mental
deficiency or emotional disturbance.
The Importance of Early Evaluation and
Treatment
In the past few
years, there has been increasing recognition of the importance of evaluating and
treating childhood problems at the earliest possible stage. The chances of a
child with a communication disorder attaining his or her peer group level are
much greater if the child receives help at an early age.
What to do if a Parent Suspects a Child
Needs Help
A parent with
concerns about a child's language or learning ability should call a Scottish
Rite Clinic or Center for Childhood Language Disorders for guidance or contact
appropriate municipal or state organizations. The first step is a complete
evaluation of the child's condition by professionals. In most instances, the
Scottish Rite can help a child identified as having a communication disorder.
However, a child who demonstrates overall developmental delays or severe
handicapping conditions may require other forms of treatment, such as physical
therapy or a full-time special education program. Any of the trained
speech-language pathologists at the Scottish Rite clinics and centers can
recommend programs specializing in advanced treatment. These facilities
generally are located in or adjacent to a Scottish Rite Masonic Center, and the
clinics may be associated with major hospitals or universities in the area. All
are clearly identified in the telephone book and are known to health-care and
education professionals in the areas in which they are located. The main thing
parents should remember is to seek help as soon as possible if there s any
indication that the child has a problem.
Program Eligibility
As a rule, the
Scottish Rite Clinics for Childhood Language Disorders accept pre-school
children who have difficulty speaking or understanding the spoken word or
school-age children who have difficulty learning to read. Some centers also
offer literacy training for adults.
Inquiries on age
groups and program offerings in specific areas should be addressed to the
director of the local Scottish Rite facility. Equally important, all services
are available regardless of race, creed, or the family's inability to pay.
Parental
Involvement
The cooperation
of each child's parents is essential. The whole family, as well as the child, is
trained by skilled clinicians so that, in addition to treatment, parents are
able to continue at home the clinic's recommended therapy.
Community
Involvement
The influence of
the Scottish Rite program goes far beyond the walls of the clinics and centers.
In many instances, it is not unusual for staff members to go into the community
and visit schools or other institutions. In some instances, the Scottish Rite
trains young people interested in the field of speech pathology.
Membership
Involvement
There is a
contribution in human terms in solving these problems for the well being and
happiness of children and their parents. There is also a very significant
contribution to the economic health of our country by providing the means for
these children to become productive adults, able to contribute to their own
lives and to the betterment of society.
Education and
concern for children have always been among the fundamental tenets of the
Masonic Fraternity. Helping children with speech and language disorders and
learning disabilities is a particular mission of the Scottish Rite of
Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, USA.
Each and every
member will want to help to fulfill this mission. At some clinics and centers,
fellow Masons, their wives, and teenagers can participate in activities as
volunteer assistants.
They can help the
children, assemble arts and crafts materials, and perform secretarial or
maintenance tasks. In some cases, they also provide transportation to children
and parents who would otherwise be unable to participate.
How You Can Help Eliminate Language and
Learning Problems in Children
Thanks to the
generosity of Scottish Rite members through their national and local foundations
(which provide financial support for our Childhood Language Disorders Clinics,
Centers, and Programs), thousands of children have been evaluated and
successfully treated in a nurturing environment. Miracles are happening all over
America thanks to evaluation and treatment in Scottish Rite facilities. However,
more clinics, centers, and programs are needed to help all of the children with
these problems. In addition, Scottish Rite clinics in existence continue to need
donations for additional therapists, instructional materials, special equipment,
and improved facilities.
In addition to
our membership support, the Scottish Rite encourages all concerned citizens to
assist in this worthy humanitarian effort. One way to assist is through estate
planning. A bequest to the local Scottish Rite foundation or the national
foundation can be designated for support of our children's charity. Gifts are
tax deductible as provided by law.
Children are
tomorrow's citizens and the hope for our world. Helping America's children
overcome their challenges is a major contribution to our future.