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
3 Quality Tips about Stalled Speech Progress: Difficult Conversations with Caregivers
As a pediatric SLP, your dedication to helping children make progress with their speech and language goals is unwavering. However, there are times when that progress stalls. As you approach the end of the year with spring on the horizon, it’s necessary to have difficult conversations with caregivers when their child isn’t making the expected progress with speech and language goals. Read on for 3 high-quality tips to make the most of these conversations about stalled speech progress. 3 Important Tips for Conversations about Stalled Speech Progress Make Necessary Referrals Accept Limitations Discuss the Importance of Home Practice Make Necessary
Exploring 6 Alternative Causes for Language Regressions Beyond Autism for Pediatric SLPs
While Autism Spectrum Disorder (or ASD) is commonly associated with language regressions in young clients, it’s critical for you as an SLP to consider other causes for these setbacks. To provide the best, most effective services to your clients and their caregivers, you’ll likely have to broaden your perspectives! Think about these 6 alternative causes for language regressions when ASD isn’t a piece of the puzzle for your client. Language Regressions Before we dive into other considerations, let’s think solely about language regressions. A language regression is defined as any decline in a child’s communication abilities. Commonly reported language regressions
6 EASY Ways to Make Speech Homework a Habit in the New Year
As a pediatric SLP, you understand the importance of caregivers following through with speech therapy homework with their children. The new year is a great chance to encourage the families you serve to recommit to this crucial practice! Ensure that your clients continue to make progress and reach their goals by using these 6 easy strategies to help caregivers make speech homework a habit this year! Support Caregivers as They Make Speech Homework a Habit 1. Reinforce the Importance of Consistency The beginning of the year is the perfect time to remind parents that progress in speech therapy goes far
Addressing the Parent Question: How Long Will Speech Therapy Take?
As a pediatric SLP, you know one of the most frequently asked questions you receive from families is “How long will speech therapy take?”. This is a normal concern, especially for caregivers who are paying out of pocket for their child’s speech services. Keep reading to learn what exactly you can say to caregivers when they ask this question! Talking to Caregivers about Treatment Length Discussing treatment length is as simple as 1-2-3-4! 1. Educate and Set Appropriate Expectations First, it’s important to educate families. Be sure that caregivers understand their child’s unique speech and language needs. Discuss their child’s
4 Ways to Start Fresh in the New Year for Success as an SLP
As the New Year begins, you’ll likely find yourself reflecting on your past year as an SLP. This is the perfect time to take inventory of what’s working and what isn’t, make changes, and plan ahead for a great summer break. Choosing a fresh start in the new year will help you establish a healthier work-life balance and find success as an SLP to carry you through the entire year! 4 Ways to Find Success as an SLP in the New Year 1. Take Inventory: What’s Working and What Isn’t The New Year is a fantastic time to evaluate what
TOP 3 Tips SLPs Need to Know for Writing Progress Notes
As you know, progress notes play a huge role in your work as an SLP. They are important for documenting a client’s progression with speech goals but also powerful tools for fostering positive communication with caregivers and generating more client referrals. You’re just 3 tips away from writing progress notes that provide this fabulous double duty! 3 Tips You Need for Writing Great Progress Notes Writing great progress notes is really easier than you think! 1. Embrace a Strength-Based Approach The first thing you need to do when writing progress notes is to adopt a strength-based perspective. During the evaluation
5 EFFECTIVE Ways for SLPs to Promote Practice During School Breaks
School breaks can be such an exciting and much-needed time to recharge for families, but they can also come with unique challenges for families with children with special needs. As an SLP in the schools or in private practice, the support you offer to families during this time can be helpful in more ways than you realize. Read on for 5 effective ways to maintain communication & promote practice during school breaks, regardless of the setting you work in: Why It’s Important to Maintain Communication During School Breaks The connection between dedicated SLPs and clients’ caregivers is crucial to the
6 Ways an SLP Can Support Caregivers of Special Needs Children During the Holidays
Raising a child with special needs can be both rewarding and challenging. These caregivers are often faced with emotional, financial, and social stressors that can lead to higher risks of depression and anxiety, especially when not having a positive support system. These stresses seem to rise during the holidays too! As speech-language pathologists (SLPs), understanding and addressing these caregiver needs is an essential piece to providing care for their children. Read on for 6 tangible ways you can support caregivers of special needs children during the holidays this year: General Stressors for Caregivers of Special Needs Children Caregivers of children
An Introduction to Stuttering Assessments and Therapy for SLPs
Stuttering assessments and therapy can feel daunting, especially early on in your career as an SLP. They don’t have to be though! Continue reading for essential knowledge and hands-on resources to become more confident in treating the children with stuttering on your caseload. What You Need to Know to Get Started with Stuttering Assessments and Therapy Stuttering Assessment A fluency evaluation is similar but also so different from other evaluations you will perform with children as an SLP. Informal Evaluation As with other types of evaluations, obtaining a thorough case history and making detailed observations are crucial pieces to assessing
How to Effectively Teach Pronouns in Speech Therapy
If you work with preschool and early elementary aged children in speech therapy, you are going to be working on correct pronoun usage. Although autistic children often struggle with pronouns, it’s also a common error for many language delayed children. Most children who struggle with pronouns struggle with the part of speech or grammar. It’s not usually a matter of not understanding or recognizing different genders. The most prevalent error is overgeneralization of “he.” Continue reading for hands-on ways to teach pronouns in speech therapy! How Pronouns Develop “Mine” is usually the first pronoun to appear in a child’s vocabulary