Blog for Parents

How to Support Caregivers with Research Strain

Research strain is a common issue for caregivers navigating a new diagnosis or when they’ve recently become aware of a developmental delay. If you’re an early intervention or preschool speech-language pathologist, recognizing this common issue and learning how to support caregivers with research strain will result in a more successful therapy experience. Researching the causes of developmental delays It’s a natural response for caregivers to search for a cause of a developmental delay or diagnosis especially if the family feels surprised by the information. It’s a way to try and regain some control over a situation that may feel overwhelming

Read More »
small boy looking at bubbles

Speech Regressions in Toddlers: Why They Happen and How to Help

Have you heard the comment, “Contact your pediatrician if you notice a regression in skills?”… Let’s talk about what speech regressions really mean, why they happen, and how to help. What is a Speech Regression? Regression is a decline in skills. This occurs when a child is not performing skills they once were able to.  In regards to speech and language, this might look like a toddler who: stops using words to make requests and now uses jargon or crying has a significant decrease in interaction with other children or adults and seems much more focused on solitary play stops

Read More »
SLP working with child with apraxia

Understanding Childhood Apraxia of Speech: A Beginner’s Guide for Parents and SLPs

Maybe you’re familiar with the term “childhood apraxia of speech” or not. Your child may have recently received this diagnosis, or you have a suspecting child on your caseload. Either way, there’s always more to learn about this rare speech disorder! Read on to learn more about what childhood apraxia of speech is, the likelihood of it to occur, telltale signs, and what to expect in an evaluation and therapy in this beginner’s guide to all things childhood apraxia of speech.  What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech? Childhood apraxia of speech (also referred to as CAS) is a neurological motor

Read More »
kids working on carryover of their articulation skills

4 Tried-and-True Strategies for Effective Carryover in Articulation Therapy

Kids often get stuck in therapy. They can make a sound (or sounds) in structured activities but need help to move beyond that. The answer to this dilemma is they are lacking in CARRYOVER. Implementing carryover activities in articulation therapy is essential, and they don’t have to be difficult either!  Try these 4 tried-and-true strategies for effective carryover in your articulation therapy sessions TODAY!  Start Early! First thing’s first– know that you should start addressing carryover skills as soon as possible! By implementing carryover strategies in small chunks over the entire course of a child’s therapy journey, you’re instilling self-confidence

Read More »
young child with IFSP playing

IEP and IFSP: A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding All Things IEP and IFSP

IEP and IFSP– these might be acronyms you’ve heard before or they may sound like you need to start singing the ABCs. Either way, lean in and let me teach you all you need to know about these terms and what they mean for you and your child.  What are They? IEP stands for Individualized Education Plan. It is an educational document describing the services and accommodations needed for children with disabilities ranging in age from 3 to 21. IFSP stands for Individualized Family Service Plan. An IFSP is used to outline services needed for children with delays from birth

Read More »
young child with a walker showing new milestones

SLP Expert Opinion: Milestones vs Averages and Why Developmental Milestones Have Changed

You’re frustrated. Other kids the same age as your child are talking so much more than yours is, but your pediatrician is saying there is nothing to worry about. People are saying the developmental milestones changed recently too. What does all this mean, and what should you do next? Let’s dive right in and answer these questions! The Pediatrician Says Don’t Worry There’s a lot of talk about milestones when you have little ones, but one of the most frequently asked questions I hear is “Why don’t the milestones SLPs talk about match what my child’s pediatrician says?”  This is

Read More »
boy popping out of a box titled pop-up words

Understanding Pop-Out Words in Speech and What They Mean for My Child

Is there anything more frustrating than hearing a word a couple of times from your child and then IT DISAPPEARS?! Where did it go?! These words are referred to as “pop-out words”. They are a very normal occurrence for little ones whether they’re on track with their speech and language development or a bit behind.  Let’s talk more about understanding these pop-out words in speech and what they really mean for your child.  More about Pop-Out Words The phrase “pop-out words”, coined by Pam Marshalla, refers to when a child says a word clearly on occasion but doesn’t say the

Read More »

Does Your Child Repeat Everything? They Might be a Gestalt Language Learner!

Does your child repeat words and phrases? Maybe common things you say or lines from their favorite song or show? Do the words or phrases sometimes feel out of place? Even though they repeat, does it feel like your child doesn’t repeat when you ask them to? Your child might be a gestalt language learner!  What is Gestalt Language Learning? Gestalt language learning is a style of language learning that starts with repeating phrases and ends with making new, spontaneous speech.  Unlike most children who learn to communicate starting with single words, gestalt language learners acquire language through chunks called

Read More »

How to Help Your Child Learn to Share and Why They Aren’t Already

Share, please share, share. You likely say this often to your little one. But why? And why don’t they understand? Teaching little ones how to share can feel like such a challenge. Let’s chat about why this is often the case and how you can help teach sharing to your toddler or preschooler. Why is Sharing Important? Sharing promotes compromise and fairness. It is vital for developing lasting friendships, cooperating with others, learning how to wait, negotiating skills, and managing feelings of disappointment.  Sharing back and forth in play also sets the stage for the back and forth style of

Read More »
autistic boy playing with play dough

Embracing Neurodiversity in Speech Therapy and Beyond 

Embracing neurodiversity in speech therapy and life choices is vital for providing the best support possible for neurodivergent children.  The term “neurodivergent” is an umbrella term that encompasses Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other diagnoses. Neurodiversity essentially is the concept that some individuals’ developmental pathways develop differently than the majority of the population (referred to as neurotypical persons). This term acknowledges the diversity of the human race and each individual person.  With neurodivergence in mind, one should consider neurodiversity-affirming language and approaches to selecting therapy and strategies in therapy.  First thing’s first: neurodiversity-affirming explained The main idea behind being neurodiversity-affirming is

Read More »

How to Support Caregivers with Research Strain

Research strain is a common issue for caregivers navigating a new diagnosis or when they’ve recently become aware of a developmental delay. If you’re an early intervention or preschool speech-language pathologist, recognizing this common issue and learning how to support caregivers with research strain will result in a more successful therapy experience. Researching the causes of developmental delays It’s a natural response for caregivers to search for a cause of a developmental delay or diagnosis especially if the family feels surprised by the information. It’s a way to try and regain some control over a situation that may feel overwhelming

Read More »
small boy looking at bubbles

Speech Regressions in Toddlers: Why They Happen and How to Help

Have you heard the comment, “Contact your pediatrician if you notice a regression in skills?”… Let’s talk about what speech regressions really mean, why they happen, and how to help. What is a Speech Regression? Regression is a decline in skills. This occurs when a child is not performing skills they once were able to.  In regards to speech and language, this might look like a toddler who: stops using words to make requests and now uses jargon or crying has a significant decrease in interaction with other children or adults and seems much more focused on solitary play stops

Read More »
SLP working with child with apraxia

Understanding Childhood Apraxia of Speech: A Beginner’s Guide for Parents and SLPs

Maybe you’re familiar with the term “childhood apraxia of speech” or not. Your child may have recently received this diagnosis, or you have a suspecting child on your caseload. Either way, there’s always more to learn about this rare speech disorder! Read on to learn more about what childhood apraxia of speech is, the likelihood of it to occur, telltale signs, and what to expect in an evaluation and therapy in this beginner’s guide to all things childhood apraxia of speech.  What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech? Childhood apraxia of speech (also referred to as CAS) is a neurological motor

Read More »
kids working on carryover of their articulation skills

4 Tried-and-True Strategies for Effective Carryover in Articulation Therapy

Kids often get stuck in therapy. They can make a sound (or sounds) in structured activities but need help to move beyond that. The answer to this dilemma is they are lacking in CARRYOVER. Implementing carryover activities in articulation therapy is essential, and they don’t have to be difficult either!  Try these 4 tried-and-true strategies for effective carryover in your articulation therapy sessions TODAY!  Start Early! First thing’s first– know that you should start addressing carryover skills as soon as possible! By implementing carryover strategies in small chunks over the entire course of a child’s therapy journey, you’re instilling self-confidence

Read More »
young child with IFSP playing

IEP and IFSP: A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding All Things IEP and IFSP

IEP and IFSP– these might be acronyms you’ve heard before or they may sound like you need to start singing the ABCs. Either way, lean in and let me teach you all you need to know about these terms and what they mean for you and your child.  What are They? IEP stands for Individualized Education Plan. It is an educational document describing the services and accommodations needed for children with disabilities ranging in age from 3 to 21. IFSP stands for Individualized Family Service Plan. An IFSP is used to outline services needed for children with delays from birth

Read More »
young child with a walker showing new milestones

SLP Expert Opinion: Milestones vs Averages and Why Developmental Milestones Have Changed

You’re frustrated. Other kids the same age as your child are talking so much more than yours is, but your pediatrician is saying there is nothing to worry about. People are saying the developmental milestones changed recently too. What does all this mean, and what should you do next? Let’s dive right in and answer these questions! The Pediatrician Says Don’t Worry There’s a lot of talk about milestones when you have little ones, but one of the most frequently asked questions I hear is “Why don’t the milestones SLPs talk about match what my child’s pediatrician says?”  This is

Read More »
boy popping out of a box titled pop-up words

Understanding Pop-Out Words in Speech and What They Mean for My Child

Is there anything more frustrating than hearing a word a couple of times from your child and then IT DISAPPEARS?! Where did it go?! These words are referred to as “pop-out words”. They are a very normal occurrence for little ones whether they’re on track with their speech and language development or a bit behind.  Let’s talk more about understanding these pop-out words in speech and what they really mean for your child.  More about Pop-Out Words The phrase “pop-out words”, coined by Pam Marshalla, refers to when a child says a word clearly on occasion but doesn’t say the

Read More »

Does Your Child Repeat Everything? They Might be a Gestalt Language Learner!

Does your child repeat words and phrases? Maybe common things you say or lines from their favorite song or show? Do the words or phrases sometimes feel out of place? Even though they repeat, does it feel like your child doesn’t repeat when you ask them to? Your child might be a gestalt language learner!  What is Gestalt Language Learning? Gestalt language learning is a style of language learning that starts with repeating phrases and ends with making new, spontaneous speech.  Unlike most children who learn to communicate starting with single words, gestalt language learners acquire language through chunks called

Read More »

How to Help Your Child Learn to Share and Why They Aren’t Already

Share, please share, share. You likely say this often to your little one. But why? And why don’t they understand? Teaching little ones how to share can feel like such a challenge. Let’s chat about why this is often the case and how you can help teach sharing to your toddler or preschooler. Why is Sharing Important? Sharing promotes compromise and fairness. It is vital for developing lasting friendships, cooperating with others, learning how to wait, negotiating skills, and managing feelings of disappointment.  Sharing back and forth in play also sets the stage for the back and forth style of

Read More »
autistic boy playing with play dough

Embracing Neurodiversity in Speech Therapy and Beyond 

Embracing neurodiversity in speech therapy and life choices is vital for providing the best support possible for neurodivergent children.  The term “neurodivergent” is an umbrella term that encompasses Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other diagnoses. Neurodiversity essentially is the concept that some individuals’ developmental pathways develop differently than the majority of the population (referred to as neurotypical persons). This term acknowledges the diversity of the human race and each individual person.  With neurodivergence in mind, one should consider neurodiversity-affirming language and approaches to selecting therapy and strategies in therapy.  First thing’s first: neurodiversity-affirming explained The main idea behind being neurodiversity-affirming is

Read More »