5 BEST Tips to Make the Most of Your Summer Off as an SLP
Hooray, it’s almost summer! You’re a hard-working SLP, and you’ve given your all for the past 9+ months of this school year. It’s easy to want to leave it all behind you and run towards summer break, but following these 5 tips will ensure you actually make the most of your summer off as an SLP. You owe it to yourself! Finish well Get ahead Reflect Disconnect Have fun! Make the Most of Your Summer Finish Well Actually finish the year! Finish filing. Throw away those papers you aren’t sure what to do with that you’ve looked at all year
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
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
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
Seeing Speech Students Over the Summer
Can you take a few private clients this summer? If you’re interested in seeing students over the summer, now’s the time to start making plans! If you’re like many speech-language pathologists, you work in the public schools during the school year which gives you the opportunity to either take the summer off or to take on summer speech students. When I sent my weekly newsletter and asked if anyone was interested in hearing my experience with working over the summer months, I was inundated with requests for more information. Here it is! Please keep in mind, requirements may vary depending
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
Recognizing the Early Signs of Autism
You know your child best. You’ve watched each amazing thing he’s done and listened to all the sounds he has made (or maybe not made). You already know how special he is, but you also know in your gut that he is different. You might be seeing early signs of Autism. Recognizing the early signs of Autism are important for current and future success for your child. What is Autism? Autism Spectrum Disorder (aka Autism) is a neurodevelopmental difference. An autistic person’s brain develops differently than that of a neurotypical person. There is no single cause of Autism but instead
An SLP’s Response to Parent Concerns about Bilingualism and Speech Development
Many parents are concerned about the impact of bilingualism and speech development for their child. What is bilingualism? A person is bilingual when they speak two languages. Speaking two languages is even possible for young children! A child may be bilingual by learning two languages at once or by learning a second language after they have begun learning their first. Developmental Information for Bilingual Children First Words Just like monolingual children, most bilingual children speak their first words by the time they are 1 year old and use two-word phrases by the age of 2. Mixing Languages Children may mix
The Basics of AAC in Speech Therapy
Let’s chat about the basics of AAC in speech therapy! What is AAC? AAC stands for “alternative or augmentative forms of communication”. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, AAC is all the ways a person communicates besides speaking verbally. AAC encourages greater independence, increased communication, and more social interactions for many individuals. When a little one isn’t talking, it’s not uncommon for a therapist to suggest a form of communication other than talking. This doesn’t mean they’ve given up! Or that talking is no longer a priority! The most important goal is to give our children LANGUAGE. Once they understand
Phonemic Awareness: part 2 / Typical Development of Phonemic Awareness Skills + How to Target Them
Understanding the typical development of phonemic awareness skills and how to target them will set students with speech sound disorders up for greater, more lasting success! Children who can’t identify and manipulate the sounds of spoken words are likely to have a challenging time learning how to make correct speech productions and generalize these skills adequately– AKA our articulation and phonology students! When SLPs understand phonemic skills, we can develop appropriate expectations and provide better differentiation for our students in therapy. Refer back to PART 1 of this series to learn WHY & HOW to assess phonemic awareness skills in
5 Great Tips for Creating a Speech Therapy Room Setup that Works
It’s never too early to think about next year’s speech therapy room setup— especially if you know your space is changing! Whether you are downsizing to a shared nook, moving into a new room, or finally getting a space of your own, your environment plays a huge role in how smoothly your day (and every therapy session) runs. With just a little planning, your space can transform into a place where students are calmer and you feel more “you”, no matter how large or small it is. It doesn’t have to be fancy or Pinterest-perfect to be a functional and
6 Easy & Fun Ways to Get Kids Moving: Using Movement in the Speech Room
As you wind down the school year, you probably notice your students getting extra wiggly! Or maybe you’re working with a few extra energetic kids over summer break, and the idea of sitting still at a table just isn’t cutting it. Either way, incorporating movement in the speech room can be a real game-changer! Not only does movement boost engagement, but it also taps into kinesthetic learning, helps regulate energy, and makes therapy feel more like play than work. Whether you choose to be indoors, outdoors, or somewhere in between, adding a little movement to your sessions can make a
4 Easy Steps for Packing Up Your Speech Room Before Summer
The end of the school year is coming to a close, and while it’s tempting to sprint out the door as soon as the final bell rings, taking some time to pack up your speech room will make your life so much easier when it’s time to start back this fall. Check out how to pack up your speech room in 4 easy steps to finish the year strong and set yourself up for a smooth start next year! Why Spend Time Organizing? Simply put, your future self will thank you! There’s nothing worse than returning to your classroom in
5 Reasons NOT to Use Themes in Speech Therapy— and Why That’s Okay!
As a pediatric SLP, you’re likely always looking for exciting ways to engage your clients and help them meet their goals. While themed therapy activities can be a fun and creative option, they aren’t always the best fit. Don’t worry— this doesn’t mean you are doing something bad! Instead, it’s about understanding when themes might serve your clients or yourself and finding the freedom to be more individualized and child-led. Consider these five reasons NOT to use themes in speech therapy and why this can be a positive change! Reasons NOT to Use Themes in Speech Therapy As an Amazon
6 Advantages to Using Themes in Speech Therapy (& a FREE Year-Long List!)
As a pediatric SLP, you know it can feel like a constant battle to keep therapy sessions engaging, effective, and organized. Planning sessions when you have students of different ages and with different goals and interests can feel overwhelming, too. Using themes in speech therapy is one of the most versatile tools you can use! Whether you’re working with preschoolers or elementary school students, themes help streamline planning, keep kids motivated, and make learning meaningful. Keep reading for more information about using themes in speech therapy and a done-for-you list of themes ready to use all year long! Using Themes
5 Great Summer Options for School SLPs: Start Planning Now!
As the spring months settle in, it’s the perfect time to start thinking ahead to summer. As a school-based SLP, you should make the most of your well-deserved summer break. Whether you’re considering a fabulous vacation, seeing clients privately, or a more creative summer venture, the earlier you decide, the better chance you have at success! Let’s check out 5 great summer options for school SLPs and learn how to best prepare for them now. Why Plan Now? It might feel too early to plan for summer, but making decisions now gives you time to research, prepare, and secure the
SLPs and Childhood Mental Health: 5 Powerful Ways to be Involved
It is becoming more well-known that mental health needs are on the rise in children, but when you think about your role as an SLP, you may wonder what you can really do about it. For many children, their ability to communicate and interact with the world around them is deeply intertwined with their emotional well-being. Don’t overlook the unique position you are in. SLPs and childhood mental health— it’s more important than ever to be involved! Mental Health in Children Today Anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges have been on the rise in children over the last decade. According to
4 Steps to Stay in Love with Your SLP Job
Working as an SLP is a calling that can feel both extremely rewarding and, at times, overwhelming. You’re making a huge difference in children’s lives as you support their growth and development and build important communication skills. But let’s be honest— between packed caseloads, scheduling woes, piles of paperwork, and getting caregivers on board, it can definitely feel like too much some days. The good news?… You’re in control of so much more than you realize! By focusing on a few key areas, you can rediscover how to stay in love with your SLP job! 1. Focus on the Big
5 of the Most Common Speech Sound Goals & How to Treat Them
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
An SLP’s Guide to Treating 5 of the Most Common Language Goals
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