In the past couple of years, I’ve been learning more about strengths-based practices and strategies to support authentic communication in children. Did you know that strengths-based practices in speech-language pathology also apply to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)? As I’ve learned more about the medical model of disability and how it has negatively affected my training in speech therapy, I have been thinking about the way I was taught to implement AAC with children, and how most of the strategies I was taught were compliance-based and do not foster a child’s authentic commu ..read more

In the past couple of years, I’ve been learning more about strengths-based practices and strategies to support authentic communication in children. Did you know that strengths-based practices in speech-language pathology also apply to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)? As I’ve learned more about the medical model of disability and how it has negatively affected my training in speech therapy, I have been thinking about the way I was taught to implement AAC with children, and how most of the strategies I was taught were compliance-based and do not foster a child’s authentic commu ..read more

You may have heard the term gestalt language processing being talked about lately if you’re a speech therapist or a parent or caregiver who has been researching speech and language development in children. If you’re new to gestalt language processing, check out my previous blog post, “What is Gestalt Language Processing?”. For most of us, information about gestalt language processing is pretty new even though the research and information about it has been around for decades. Historically, most speech therapy university programs have taught that analytic language processing, which we can think ..read more

In honor of Black History Month, I wanted to highlight some books by Black authors that you can read with your child all year to practice speech sounds at home. Did you know that in 2021, only 9% of children’s books were by Black authors, and only 13% were about Black people? For more information go to data on books by and about Black, Indigenous and People of Color published for children and teens compiled by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Similarly, 92% of speech-language pathologists are white and only 3% are Black, highli ..read more

Are you looking for ways that you can help support your child’s speech and language skills during everyday activities and routines? You don’t always have to set aside a separate time to work on speech and language skills. Everyday routines provide opportunities to support your child’s communication development and they are usually the most meaningful to your child. Here are five everyday routines to help support your child’s speech and language skills: Reading books. If you read with your child, or if they are now reading on their own, books provide a great way to practice speech and langua ..read more

   Did you know that some people are gestalt language processors? As a pediatric speech language pathologist, I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t know this until very recently. Along with learning more about ableism in the field of speech therapy and neurodiversity-affirming practices, I’ve also been learning that I’ve been getting delayed echolalia, when a child echoes chunks of language they previously heard, completely wrong. Echolalia is a word that means echoed language, or language copied from others. Did you know that echoing language in full sentences before developing “fir ..read more

Authenticity, inclusion and diversity are core values in my speech therapy practice. When supporting communication development in children and teens, I am invested in creating a safe space where they can be who they truly are. On this National Coming Out Day, I’m reminded of how challenging it can be for many of us in the LGBTQIA+ community to come out and how many of us don’t have the privilege of being our authentic selves all the time. Factors such as race and gender identity and presentation also determine the level of privilege members of our community have. It’s important to note that c ..read more

    Over the past year or so, I’ve been on a journey of learning about the Neurodiversity Movement and how it relates to my practice of speech-language pathology. I’ve been unlearning ideas from the medical model that much of my speech-language pathology training and daily living in an ableist society has taught me. The medical model supports the idea that brain differences are abnormal from the “norm,” that there is something “wrong” with an individual with a brain difference and that their condition needs to be fixed or improved so that they can fit better into mainstream society ..read more

    My love for providing speech therapy online started a few years ago. After many years of providing in-person services, I decided to try teletherapy and I’ve never looked back! At first, I thought, how can I do this job that I’ve done in person all these years online? However, after doing a few sessions online, I was pleasantly surprised at how effective and convenient it was for my clients and myself. There are different ways that I provide online services. One is direct speech-language therapy where I work directly with a child or teen using on-screen activities and games. I st ..read more

    Welcome to the second installment of my blog series on phonological processes. Phonological processes are typical error patterns that many kids use as they are learning to talk. If these patterns persist past the age of expected disappearance, it can negatively impact how much others understand a child’s speech. One common phonological process is called stopping. Some sounds in English are called fricatives (ex. S, F, SH) and require you to produce a long stream of air. I call these “long air sounds.” Some sounds are called stops (ex. P, T), and when they are produced, you liter ..read more