Category: blog

  A trip to the farmer’s market isn’t just great for fresh produce, but it’s also a fun and functional way to sneak in articulation practice! As you walk through the stands, encourage your child to label items that include their target sound. For example, if they’re working on the /s/ sound, they can look for and say words like “strawberries” or “sunflower.” Try using short carrier phrases like “I see __” or “Let’s get __” to practice speech in real-life conversations. Your child can be your helper by asking them to find items on a list or encourage talking to vendors. You can even turn it into a scavenger hunt: “Can you find 3 things that start with the

Understanding categorical membership (what group something belongs to) and function (what something is used for) is a foundational language skill for young learners. The good news? You don’t need special materials or flashcards. These concepts can be naturally woven into everyday routines.1. Grocery Store Chats At the store, talk about food categories: “Apples go in the fruit section. What else is a fruit?” “A broom is in the cleaning aisle. What do we use a broom for?” 2. Playtime Sorting Whether it’s toy animals, blocks, or dolls: Sort by category: “Let’s put all the animals together. What kind of animal is this?” Talk about function: “What does a fire truck do?” 3. Mealtime Moments Make meals a language-rich time: “A

As a new school year begins, parents play a key role in setting their children up for success—especially when it comes to speech and language development. Whether your child receives speech services or just needs a little extra support with communication, these simple strategies can help ease the transition and keep progress moving forward. 1. Re-establish routines. Consistent routines support language development. Talk through daily activities—like packing lunches or getting ready for school—and model clear language. This not only builds vocabulary, but also prepares your child for the structure of the school day. 2. Communicate with your child’s team.  Stay in touch with your child’s teacher and speech-language pathologist. Share any updates or concerns you noticed over the summer. Open

  Sequencing means putting events in order—an important skill for understanding stories, following directions, and organizing ideas. Easy Ways to Practice: Talk about routines: Describe daily tasks step by step. “First we brush our teeth, then we wash our face.” Retell stories: After reading, ask, “What happened first? What happened next?” Use pictures: Mix up simple picture cards and have your child put them in order. Cook or craft together: Recipes and crafts are great real-life practice. Tips: Start with 2–3 steps. Use words like first, next, and last. Praise their efforts!

Game play can be a way to support expressive language growth in older children. Language games can help keep practice interesting as well as be highly effective in enhancing communication skills. *Scattergories – Vocabulary Building -List related words under a given category, each starting with a specific letter. -Engaging in vocabulary learning and word-finding abilities. *Two Truths and a Lie – Sentence Structure and Grammar Fun -Share three statements, two true and one false. -Targets sentence structure, grammar, and inferencing skills. *Headbanz – Describing and Categorizing Challenge -Wear a picture on your head and ask yes-or-no questions to guess its identity. -Enhances understanding and expression of descriptive terms. *20 Questions/Would You Rather? – Conversational Language Skills -Practice social skills, sentence structure, grammar,

AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) is a vital tool for individuals with communication challenges, offering a range of devices and strategies to support speech. There are several myths about AAC, such as the idea that it’s only for those with no speech, that it’s hard to use, or that it prevents speech development. In reality, AAC is for people with varying speech abilities and can actually encourage speech by reducing frustration and boosting confidence. For example, a child with apraxia may start with a picture exchange system, then progress to a speech-generating device as they improve.  It’s also highly adaptable, with many intuitive systems that users can learn with support. Success stories show how AAC empowers individuals, helping them communicate

Digital Resources to Utilize with AAC Clients Information Collected from CEU #9574: Tele-AAC with Adults with Developmental Disabilities by Becca Eisenberg MS, CCC-SLP Free Non-Digital Resources to Use with AAC Clients: Use pictures from your client’s weekend and/or extracurricular activities to initiate a structured conversation Create a Pictello story with your client Listen to your client’s favorite music by asking client to request and/or comment on his/her’s favorite song Use topic board with picture icons to create structured conversations with your client Participate in role play scenarios with your client (ordering food from restaurant, trick-or-treating, etc.) Complete puzzles with your client Participate in cooking, hygiene-related, and holiday activities with your client Digital Resources to Use with AAC Clients: Cognishine: A

    The beach can be the perfect time to soak up the sun and build language! A trip to the beach can be a fun and easy way to introduce new words in a natural setting. Whether your child is digging in the sand, watching the waves, or eating a popsicle, there are so many chances to model new vocabulary words and expand language. Try describing textures (smooth, rough, wet, sticky), actions (scoop, splash, dig, float), and categories (animals, clothes, food, tools). You don’t need flashcards—just talk about what you see and do! This helps your child connect words to real experiences. Narrate your actions, repeat key words, and describe what your child is doing too. For example, talk

If your child is having trouble saying certain sounds, you might have heard the term articulation therapy. But what does that really mean? What can you expect from the process? Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand the basic steps of articulation therapy. 1. Assessment It all starts with an evaluation. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) listens to how your child says individual sounds and words to identify which sounds are delayed or in error, and whether those patterns are age-appropriate or need support. 2. Sound Selection Once the SLP knows which sounds your child struggles with, they’ll decide which to target first. 3. Sound in Isolation Therapy begins at the simplest level—just the sound by itself (like “s”). The

July is a time for sunshine, play, and relaxation—but it’s also a great opportunity to keep your child’s communication skills growing in fun, everyday ways. Here are a few simple strategies to help maintain speech and language progress over the summer months: 1. Talk during daily activities. Whether you’re at the pool, the park, or the grocery store, turn experiences into learning moments. Describe what you see, ask open-ended questions, and encourage your child to do the same. 2. Read together regularly. Choose books that spark your child’s interest and take time to pause, predict, and discuss the story. Ask questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why did the character do that?” 3. Play with purpose.