Abbey Cook, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech-language Pathologist

Director/Owner Communication Junction

Abbey Cook, owner and director of Communication Junction, is a Speech Language Pathologist, receiving her Master’s in Speech and Language Pathology, at Gallaudet University in 2004. She is licensed through the American Speech and Hearing Association, and a certified Early Intervention Service Provider in the State of Illinois. Prior to establishing Communication Junction in 2009, Abbey worked as a SLP in an elementary school with Deaf and Hard of Hearing children in Virginia Beach, VA. Abbey has also worked at Illinois State University, supervising graduate students and teaching various courses. Abbey has two children who began using American Sign Language at a young age. At five months old her youngest son began signing milk and by age 1 both boys had signing vocabularies of 20+ words. She has seen first-hand the power of teaching ASL vocabulary to children can have on early communication skills (leading to less frustration and tantrums), vocabulary development and school readiness skills. She established Communication Junction to share her knowledge of language development and passion for early communication with the Central IL (and beyond starting in 2020) community.

An 8-week program for children age 4-5 with sensory processing differences

Children with sensory processing differences have difficulty with regulation, which sometimes makes it difficult for them to interact with the world around them. Our Sensory Explorers group targets regulation in order to build engagement! This group is led by pediatric occupational therapist Mackenzie Baldock and developmental therapist/PLAY Project Consultant Brenna Thompson, both of whom specialize in using developmentally appropriate strategies to support children so they can learn new skills. Group meets once/week for 60 minutes.

Wondering if this class is appropriate for your child? Some characteristics of kids who benefit: easily frustrated with play, repetitive play, difficulty sitting/keeping still to engage in play, refuses to allow others to engage in play, unable to be messy, overly busy, quickly overwhelmed in a busy environment, picky eater, difficulty tolerating grooming/dressing/diapering routines, struggles with transitions/following a group plan/routine. 

Goals of the group include:

  • Child participating in a variety of sensory play activities
  • Engaging socially with others in the group
  • Providing a non threatening environment where children can experience new sensations with the support of a pediatric Occupational Therapist and PLAY Project consultant
  • Providing personalized resources to caregivers, so they better understand the sensory system and learn strategies to assist their child with regulation outside of group
  • Opportunity to meet with other local families
 
 

GROUP MEETS for 8 weeks:  Caregivers must stay on the premises to support their child and learn helpful strategies. Children will separate from caregivers for the session; caregivers can socialize at our coffee bar in the lobby (we will also provide a few toys for siblings to play). Caregiver education is a key component of this program. 

 

OPTIONAL Summary Report available at close of session. This 2 page report will summarize your child’s participation in the class and provide helpful sensory strategies to increase their participation in activities. This report could be given to teachers in classrooms & daycares or utilized to help educate other caregivers about ways to help your child participate. This option includes a 30 minute Zoom meeting with Brenna and MacKenzie to review the report and discuss your child’s progress in Sensory Explorers. COST: $100 due at sign up