Hi. I have to get the ball rolling with getting my son into speech therapy but my anxiety about the whole process is getting to me. I would love some advice or tips on what I should expect? TIA!

Did you know that delayed echolalia is the first stage of gestalt language development?! It’s a building block not something that should be extinguished❣️

If you are looking for an introduction to gestalt language development checkout this free masterclass designed for parents and professionals❣️

This free class also discusses how child-led therapy can help support children’s overall language development❣️🤩
https://www.meaningfulspeech.com/offers/YpBHFc24/checkout

For a deep dive into the well-verified, decades long, qualitative research that details the differences between gestalt language processing and analytic language processing (the mainstream development of language through single word use) look no further than this amazing site which will grant you access to more educational resources 🤩:

https://communicationdevelopmentcenter.com/

“What Speech Therapists Wish Parents Knew” presented by Big Heart Toys💖

If you are a neurodiveristy-affirming therapist you are not alone❣️💓💗💓

The video warmed my heart 🫶🏾 It is always so revitalizing to witness a tribe like Jessie and Chris affirm the research associated with neurodiversity-affirming techniques and approaches ✨💖this glimmer is a reminder that we can be the change our speech friends need when we join in allyship and integrate their individualized needs into our therapeutic practices.
https://youtu.be/xPVYpmNR5BI?si=BjULoA8gwD1MtqJb

Reading is essential for language development, and summer is a perfect time to engage children in activities that enhance their speech and language skills. Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and parents can use carefully chosen books to improve vocabulary, comprehension, and expressive language. This blog offers a summer reading list to support speech therapy, with insights on how to use each book effectively.

Click here: https://content.liricare.com/speech-therapy-books/

An ACE score is a tally of different types of abuse, neglect, and other hallmarks of a rough childhood. According to the Adverse Childhood Experiences study, the rougher your childhood, the higher your score is likely to be and the higher your risk for later health problems. You can take the test below:

Take the quiz for yourself and learn what is does and does not mean:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean

We can better support children’s needs by adopting and actively practicing trauma informed care.

Trauma-informed care recognizes and responds to the signs, symptoms, and risks of trauma to better support the health needs of patients who have experienced negative consequences from dangerous situations. It's a commitment to avoid repeating traumatic experiences and to help people regain a sense of safety, power, and self-worth despite the toxic stress they have been exposed to.

Read more here:
https://www.healthcaretoolbox.org/d-e-f-framework-trauma-informed-care

“Healthy development in the early years provides the building blocks for educational achievement, economic productivity, responsible citizenship, lifelong health, strong communities, and successful parenting of the next generation.”

“This three-part video series from the Center and the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child depicts how advances in neuroscience, molecular biology, and genomics now give us a much better understanding of how early experiences are built into our bodies and brains” -Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

Learn more here:
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/

Did you know that exposure to trauma can have lifelong lasting impacts and even result in increased physical health risks as well shortened lifespan?

Former Surgeon General of California & Pediatrician, Nadine Burke Harris, expounds on the neurological impacts of trauma across the lifespan in the TEDTalk entitled “How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime” 💔📈📊🧠

“High doses of adversity not only affect brain structure and function, they affect the developing immune system, developing hormonal systems, and even the way our DNA is read and transcribed.” -Nadine Burke Harris

Watch TED Talk in full here:
https://youtu.be/95ovIJ3dsNk?si=ETLaH0e73Lhbika8

Hi. Parent here. How long does it typically take to see progress in speech therapy?

Check out expert insights/tips on early feeding development❣️🤩🤓

“I share that the primary issue arises when children become solely dependent on pouches for nutrition, missing out on essential chewing experiences needed to further oral motor development and exposing them to a limited range of tastes and textures.”

“In many cases of selective eaters, I find that educating caregivers about toddlers and their relationship with food, and coaching them on fun food activities, relieves stress for both caregiver and child.” -Stefanie LaManna, Speech-Language Pathologist

Stefanie goes on to share ways SLPs can support caregivers:
💖Educate them of developmental expectations/indicators of pediatric feeding disorders that expand past picky eating
💖Refer them to a dietitian for specific and individualized expectations regarding growth and weight gain
💖Encourage engagement with their child in less stressful food-related activities that incorporate learning absent of demands to actually eat
💖Suggest ways to make food fun so their child can explore foods without feeling pressured or overwhelmed

Read full article in detail here: https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/2024-0501-picky-eaters-feeding-pouches-slp/full/