Blog for Parents

Blog for Parents

most common speech sound goals

5 of the Most Common Speech Sound Goals & How to Treat Them

January 20, 2025 No Comments

Supporting young students in speech therapy is a rewarding process— but sometimes difficult as well. As an elementary SLP, you’re already familiar with the unique challenges that students face in mastering speech sound disorders. Intelligible speech is important for academic success, relationships with peers, and so much more. Let’s explore five of the most common speech sound goals, how to differentiate instruction for individual needs, and interactive resources you can use to help students reach these goals. What to Know about Speech Sound Disorders Before beginning therapy sessions with your students, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of both

Read More »
most common language goals

An SLP’s Guide to Treating 5 of the Most Common Language Goals 

January 7, 2025 No Comments

If you feel like you’re in a Groundhog Day loop, there’s a good reason for it! Many of your students likely come to you with the same language goals, even if they need slightly different approaches. Language delays are found in children with a variety of needs and diagnoses, and it’s likely that you will need to address foundational skills for many students. Let’s dive into some of the most common language goals and identify engaging and effective ways to approach them! What You Need to Know About Language Delays Language delays are often associated with a variety of childhood

Read More »
impacts of covid-19 on communication

Impacts of COVID-19 on Communication: Key Factors for Parents & SLPs

December 16, 2024 No Comments

The COVID-19 pandemic left a lasting impact on many parts of life, including children’s speech and language development. Since the lockdown in 2020, there has been a significant increase in children with speech and language delays. For both parents and SLPs, understanding the root causes of these issues and addressing the delays is vital to the success of these children. Let’s consider the impacts of COVID-19 on communication and what can be done to help families and their children! Silent Impact of COVID-19 on Communication Development While physical health concerns were at the forefront of COVID-19, the results were so

Read More »
treating phonological processing disorders

Everything You Need to Know to Begin Treating Phonological Processing Disorders 

September 9, 2024 No Comments

Treating phonological processing disorders is a key piece of what you do as a pediatric SLP. It’s important to understand how phonological processing disorders differ from other speech sound disorders, how to get caregivers on board, and how to choose the best treatment approaches to help your clients. You CAN help children develop more intelligible speech and set them up on a path for successful communication all of their lives! Understanding Phonological Processing Disorders Before you begin to educate caregivers about phonological processing disorders (PPDs), it’s important to ensure you have a solid understanding of this type of speech sound

Read More »

How to Support Caregivers with Research Strain

September 18, 2023 No Comments

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

August 28, 2023 No Comments

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

August 14, 2023 No Comments

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

July 31, 2023 No Comments

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

July 3, 2023 No Comments

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

June 19, 2023 1 Comment

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 »
most common speech sound goals

5 of the Most Common Speech Sound Goals & How to Treat Them

January 20, 2025 No Comments

Supporting young students in speech therapy is a rewarding process— but sometimes difficult as well. As an elementary SLP, you’re already familiar with the unique challenges that students face in mastering speech sound disorders. Intelligible speech is important for academic success, relationships with peers, and so much more. Let’s explore five of the most common speech sound goals, how to differentiate instruction for individual needs, and interactive resources you can use to help students reach these goals. What to Know about Speech Sound Disorders Before beginning therapy sessions with your students, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of both

Read More »
most common language goals

An SLP’s Guide to Treating 5 of the Most Common Language Goals 

January 7, 2025 No Comments

If you feel like you’re in a Groundhog Day loop, there’s a good reason for it! Many of your students likely come to you with the same language goals, even if they need slightly different approaches. Language delays are found in children with a variety of needs and diagnoses, and it’s likely that you will need to address foundational skills for many students. Let’s dive into some of the most common language goals and identify engaging and effective ways to approach them! What You Need to Know About Language Delays Language delays are often associated with a variety of childhood

Read More »
impacts of covid-19 on communication

Impacts of COVID-19 on Communication: Key Factors for Parents & SLPs

December 16, 2024 No Comments

The COVID-19 pandemic left a lasting impact on many parts of life, including children’s speech and language development. Since the lockdown in 2020, there has been a significant increase in children with speech and language delays. For both parents and SLPs, understanding the root causes of these issues and addressing the delays is vital to the success of these children. Let’s consider the impacts of COVID-19 on communication and what can be done to help families and their children! Silent Impact of COVID-19 on Communication Development While physical health concerns were at the forefront of COVID-19, the results were so

Read More »
treating phonological processing disorders

Everything You Need to Know to Begin Treating Phonological Processing Disorders 

September 9, 2024 No Comments

Treating phonological processing disorders is a key piece of what you do as a pediatric SLP. It’s important to understand how phonological processing disorders differ from other speech sound disorders, how to get caregivers on board, and how to choose the best treatment approaches to help your clients. You CAN help children develop more intelligible speech and set them up on a path for successful communication all of their lives! Understanding Phonological Processing Disorders Before you begin to educate caregivers about phonological processing disorders (PPDs), it’s important to ensure you have a solid understanding of this type of speech sound

Read More »

How to Support Caregivers with Research Strain

September 18, 2023 No Comments

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

August 28, 2023 No Comments

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

August 14, 2023 No Comments

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

July 31, 2023 No Comments

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

July 3, 2023 No Comments

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

June 19, 2023 1 Comment

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 »