Why 'just buy a planner' doesn't work for executive dysfunction—and what actually does. The Brain's Management System 🧠 Executive functioning is the cognitive control center. When a student struggles with time and organization, a new planner or a clean desk is just a temporary fix. They don't need better tools; they need to build the underlying language and planning skills to use them. Why an SLP? 🗣️✨ Because language and thinking are deeply connected. We don't just fix the

4–5 Years: Preparing for Kindergarten 🏫 Advanced Language Uses long, complex, and grammatically correct sentences. Uses time words (yesterday, tomorrow) correctly. Can follow the rules of a simple board game. Pre-Reading Skills Knows how to hold a book and where the title is. Can write their own name and recognize 10+ letters. Identifies rhyming words (cat/hat). Speech Mastery Speech is understandable in conversation. Produces most consonants correctly. Remember: Every chil

3–4 Years: Sharing Stories 📖 Language & Literacy Tells you a simple story from a book or video. Uses location words (inside, on, under). Recognizes common signs/logos (like the STOP sign). Clearer Speech Talks smoothly without repeating sounds/words most of the time. People outside the family can understand most of what they say. Uses sounds like t, k, g, f, y correctly. Parent Tip Ask "What was your favorite part?" after reading a book together.

2–3 Years: Starting Conversations 💬 Sentence Building Uses 2-3 word combinations often. Asks "Why?" and "How?" Uses -ing verbs (eating, running) and plurals (birds, toys). Speech Sounds Most vowels are correct. Uses sounds like p, b, m, h, w, d, and n correctly in words. Note: Unfamiliar listeners may still have trouble understanding them. Parent Tip Give them choices! Instead of "Do you want milk?", ask "Would you like milk or water?"

19–24 Months: The Big Vocabulary Jump 🚀 The 50-Word Mark Uses and understands at least 50 different words. Words for food, toys, animals, and body parts. Note: Speech may not be perfectly clear yet (e.g., "du" for shoe). Putting it Together Starts putting two words together (e.g., "More water," "Go outside"). Uses words like "me," "mine," and "you." Follows 2-step directions (e.g., "Get the spoon and put it on the table"). Parent Tip Expand on what they say. If they say "Ca

13–18 Months: Connecting Words to World 🧩 Understanding Looks around when asked "where" questions (Where’s your blanket?). Follows simple 1-step directions (Give me the ball). Identifies 1 or more body parts when asked. Expressing Points to things they want or to show you something. Shakes head for "no" and nods for "yes." Uses a mix of real words and "jargon" (long strings of speech-like sounds). Parent Tip Play with sounds at bath time! Pop bubbles and say "p-p-p-p."

Birth to 1 Year – The Foundation Communication Milestones: The First Year 👶 What to look for from Birth to 12 Months. 0–3 Months (Social Beginnings) Makes "cooing" sounds (oooo, aahhh). Smiles at you when you talk. Quiets or smiles when they hear a familiar voice. 4–6 Months (Exploring Sound) Giggles and laughs. Makes "raspberries" with their lips. Vocalizes during play (uuuummm, aaaaagoo). 7–9 Months (Babbling) Looks at you when you call their name. Stops for a moment whe

What is Dyslexia? It’s not "seeing letters backward." Reversals can happen, but they are not the core issue. Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference that affects how the brain processes the sounds of language and connects them to written words. It’s common. It affects about 15-20% (about 1 in 5 people) and occurs in children of all intelligence levels. The Core Challenge: Most people with dyslexia have trouble with the sounds of language and how those sounds connect

How to know when it’s more than just a "phase." Is this typical? Typical: Gagging occasionally on new textures, pushing food out with the tongue, or messy drinking. Typical behaviors usually disappear as the child gets used to the food. Atypical: If the "phase" lasts months, causes distress, or results in a very limited "safe food" list, it’s worth a closer look. Signs to watch for: 🚩 Arching or stiffening during meals. 🚩 Frequent coughing or gagging. 🚩 A "wet" or gurgly v

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month! As we approach May, I cannot help but reflect on how different this May is compared to past years. Aside from the obvious differences from a year ago, I did not think I would ever transition to providing services solely through telehealth, yet here we are. I think that the transition was at first daunting (mainly due to insurance companies), but I have learned many things since the switch occurred. I know that the therapy I provide via