The Speech Umbrella

No doubt you've noticed how our role as SLPs overlaps with other professions.  Collaboration is highly desirable of course, but sometimes roles overlap so much as to be almost indistinguishable. It can be a disconcerting feeling - as though the earth has moved beneath your feet! Today, Denise Stratton, a veteran pediatric speech-language pathologist, tackles the confusion and frustration that can arise in this multifaceted field. Join us as we explore the root causes of speech and language disorders, helping us understand why multiple diagnoses and professions often converge at the same point. We'll confront the professional uncertainty many young SLPs feel about their scope of practice and compensation, and reveal simple but powerful interventions that can help navigate these professional lanes more effectively.In the second part of this episode, we delve into the intricate relationship between auditory processing and memory, shedding light on the importance of targeting root causes rather than just applying labels to language disorders. Denise shares a treasure trove of effective interventions and tools.  By honing in on these root causes and understanding the progression of interventions, we can achieve significantly better outcomes for our clients. Don't forget to explore the wealth of materials available on The Speech Umbrella website and the value of sharing knowledge within our professional community.

Stepping into a job interview is intimidating for many of us, but  when you're a teen or young adult with a communication disorder, it can feel overwhelming.  On the Speech Umbrella podcast, we tackle this subject head-on, with my husband, Dan Stratton, bringing his IT management and interview expertise to the table. One of Dan's passions is helping young adults in their career searches and interviews. Together we demystify the interview process, transforming it from a daunting task into an exciting stage to spotlight your problem-solving abilities. We discuss the art of self-presentation,  the power of a well-told story,  and how to do networking interviews. You'll hear firsthand how strategic networking and informational interviews can forge paths to unexpected job offers and meaningful professional relationships. From the impact of a thoughtful handwritten note to the nuances of asking the right questions, we delve into the details that can set you apart. We also examine how to make an impression in the interview itself, with tips on maintaining composure under pressure and using body language to your advantage. So plug in, listen up, and let's get you ready to nail that interview with grace and confidence.Helpful LinksAmy Cuddy TED Talk List of Skills. Long List of Skills   Sample Interview Questions and How to Answer Them  More Interview Questions

To mark the 100th episode, Dan (our business manager) interviews Denise about her favorite episodes, the beginnings of the podcast, and what the future holds for The Speech Umbrella. --- Useful Links ---Free Resource LibraryWhere Everybody Knows Your Name Interview with Char Boshart Interview with Dr. Shereen Lim To Infinity and Beyond The Power of Too Follow the Narrative Road The Conversation Game Phonological Awareness Tracking Tool Impossible R Made Possible Simple Tools Interview with Dr. Teresa UkrainetzMaking Movies, Making Inferences Music: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Don't we hear some of the funniest, wisest, all around best things from children? Here's a collection of some my best moments with clients in 2023. Enjoy Kids Say the BEST Things, 2023. --- Useful Links ---Emoji Handout Empowering Children with Autism Through Natural Language Acquisition Essential Language for Autism  Open Doors A Parent, A Child, and Autism Kids Say the Best Things 2022 Music: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Unleash the power of storytelling on your child's developmental journey! Join us as we explore the transformative influence of family narratives on children. Based on the research of Robin Fivush and Marshall P. Duke, we reveal the multitude of benefits kids reap when they know their family tales. Their resilience, self-esteem, and social skills see a significant boost. More than that, we consider how these stories can be effectively integrated into therapy, serving as instruments to enhance episodic memory, predictable behavior, vocabulary, and critical thinking. You'll also hear some of our personal family narratives and learn about the critical thinking triangle, a handy tool from the Story Grammar Marker people.Take a step further into the world of stories with us. We share a heartwarming tale of a school physical therapist whose professional advice led a first grader's parents to seek help beyond the school's resources. We introduce you to Dan and his father's inspiring journey that was profoundly influenced by a teacher who spurred a love for reading. Yet, we also know that not every story has a happy ending, and we guide you on how to handle narratives that don't end well and finding ways to move forward.Make no mistake - family stories are powerful, and so are the rituals that accompany them. As we delve deeper, we uncover how children comprehend the personalities of their family members via these stories and the rituals they observe. Persistence is the key to storytelling, and we've got useful tips on how families can tell their stories effectively. Drawing from our years of experience as SLPs, we offer guidance on how to help families share their narratives and put them into a physical form. So, what are you waiting for? Tune into the Speech Umbrella and start harnessing the power of family stories today!--- Useful Links ---emoji handout https://storyintelligence.com/fivush-%26-duke Story Grammar Marker , Do You Do Two?    Music: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Ever wondered how to effectively enhance language development in children with autism? The Speech Umbrella's 97th episode is here to illuminate your path! I'm Denise Stratton, and I'll be unpacking the power of child-centered approaches like Natural Language Acquisition (NLA), explaining how it helps build spontaneous and generative language. We'll decode complex terms such as Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs), Analytic Language Processors (ALPs), and Developmental Sentence Scoring (DSS) using relatable examples from my clinical practice, drawing from my wealth of experience to provide you with practical resources to kickstart this transformative therapy technique.Embarking on the journey of language development, we'll delve into the critical role of Speech-Language Pathologists in breaking up gestalts and isolating words to ease children's understanding. I'll discuss the significance of 'stage four' in language development and how to recognize the signs of spontaneous language. . This episode promises to be an engaging exploration, perfect for parents and SLPs eager to make a difference in their child's linguistic journey. Tune in, absorb, and let's transform lives one word at a time.--- Useful Links ---Stage One Sentence TypesCommunication Development Center Meaningful SpeechMusic: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Do you ever wonder just what your data is telling you, and how to use your data to help your clients progress? If so, then this episode is tailor made for you! In part two of Leading and Lagging Indicators you'll learn about some therapy ideas for measuring leading indicators. Leading indicators are so helpful, because they predict future success and help us chart the way forward with our clients. --- Useful Links ---Leading and Lagging Indicators, Part One Body Awareness Fun Deck Orange is a Carrot Simple Poem Six Ways Follow the Narrative Road Permission to Play Music: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Are you curious about how leading and lagging indicators, concepts borrowed from the business world, can revolutionize your speech therapy practice? That's precisely what I explore in this episode. From predicting future outcomes to measuring past success, I'll guide you on how these indicators can boost your effectiveness and transform therapy results. We discuss relatable examples from various fields and how, with accurate measurements, these indicators can be harnessed for maximum impact.--- Useful Links ---Stage One Sentence TypesInstitute For Evidence Based Change The Conversation Game Essential Language for Autism Phonological Awareness Tracking Tool Prime to Rhyme Nursery Rhyme Coloring Book Orange is a Carrot Cue the MoveMusic: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Have you ever wondered how the simple word ‘too' can shape a child's comprehension of the world around them? Join me, your host Denise Stratton, as I delve into the unexpected depths of language and transform this overlooked adverb into a powerful tool for understanding, comparisons, and explanations.  I'll be dissecting the multifaceted role of ‘too' in language development and sharing practical ideas for employing it in speech therapy. Explore with me why mastering this word is vital for children, particularly those on the Autism spectrum and discover how the nuances of the English language can open up a world of understanding for children. --- Useful Links ---To Infinity and Beyond Making Movies, Making Inferences Story Retelling Activity: Goldilocks and the Three BearsMusic: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Tired of feeling perplexed by nasal air emission and phoneme-specific nasal emission? We've got you covered in this enlightening episode! We'll unravel these complex issues that often trip up even the most experienced SLPs, providing you with a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies. Expect to gain a clearer understanding as we dissect hypernasality, nasal air emission, and phoneme-specific nasal emission, shedding light on how to distinguish and treat these conditions effectively. Through engaging case histories, we share our journey to resolution.Two cases are discussed, along with the considerable it took to correct them: a case where a preschooler produced a pharyngeal fricative for S and Z, and a case of phoneme specific nasal air emission.  Tune in to get some tips on solving the puzzle of nasal air emission.--- Useful Links ---13K Podcast Download Giveaway!https://www.instagram.com/dstrattonslp/https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUmbrellaSpeechPathology.com Impossible R Made Possible Top 10 Toys for Speech and Language PROMPT Music: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Prepare to unravel the mysteries of airway health as we journey into the realm of healthy sleep and jaw development with our distinguished guest, Dr. Shereen Lim, a dentist specializing in this unique field. We'll shine a light on intriguing topics such as the impact of breastfeeding on muscle development and airway health, and the significance of early intervention. Harnessing Dr. Lim's expertise, we'll venture into discussions about common problems like breastfeeding issues, reflux symptoms, swallowing challenges, and speech troubles, and how they're linked to airway health and tongue ties.Discover the significant role that tongue positioning plays in neural transmission to the brain, guided by Dr. Lim's insight. As we continue along this investigative journey, we'll explore the potential risks associated with overlooking these problems, highlighting the importance of early intervention before they become a lifelong struggle.But that's not all, we'll also be discussing the myomunchee appliance and its role in promoting lip seal and more normal swallowing patterns. These concepts are not just related to speech development, but can also help those grappling with thumb-sucking and posture issues. Also, Dr. Lim will be sharing valuable resources such as her book, “Breathe, Sleep, Thrive” and her professionals-only Facebook group “Airway Health 4 Kids”. Join us for this enlightening episode and gain an in-depth understanding of the significance of airway health and its far-reaching effects on both infants and adults.

Ready to uncover the magic of playtime and how it can fuel your child's language development? Join me, Denise Stratton, an experienced pediatric speech-language pathologist, as I reveal my top 10 toy picks for therapy with the preschool/kindergarten age group. These game and activities are perfect for both articulation and language therapy better, and they meet my three criteria for therapy toys and activities:Lots of attributes to talk aboutPlenty of opportunities to talk about location and use prepositionsStimulate the imagination So, whether you're a parent looking for guidance or a speech-language pathologist aiming to add more zest to your sessions, get ready for some practical advice on toys that enrich speech and language development. 

Imagine transforming the world of speech therapy by bringing it outdoors and combining it with the joys of preschool! That's exactly what Lisa Boyce has done with her unique outdoor preschool, Garden Gate Preschool.When Lisa moved her preschool outdoors during Covid, she discovered how much better children became at self regulation. In fact, the results were so fantastic she decided to keep her preschool outside. Here are some topics we explore in this interview:Outdoor learning environments and emotional regulationThe power of child lead unstructured play Teaching phonological awareness in preschool How to set up an outdoor preschoolThat's only a small sample of what we cover. You'll want to hear how Lisa utilizes real-world experiences – like the annual grape harvest at the preschool — to promote learning. And her use of glitter jars for social emotional learning is something I can't wait to try in my practice! Tune into episode 90 of The Speech Umbrella, Harnessing the Power of Play in Speech Therapy with Lisa Boyce, and come away inspired

Do you ever wonder how closely motor and language development are intertwined in children? Discerning the subtle ties between these two fundamental areas can be profoundly insightful, especially for those of us in the field of pediatric speech-language pathology! I am Denise Stratton, bringing you episode 89 of the Speech Umbrella, as we delve deep into this fascinating correlation, especially concerning children with autism. Drawing from a wealth of research, we underscore the reality that language impairment often goes hand-in-hand with motor skill development issues.Let's dive into how motor skills might actually be the first domain where developmental divergence appears in children diagnosed with autism. We bring light to the valuable resource - the 16 actions with objects by 16 months - developed by the First Words Project. This tool has innovatively changed the game for me in my practice, and I can't wait to share it with you! Understanding and fostering the development of motor skills can lead to future gains in communication. So join me as we celebrate the power of simple therapies and their potential for improving outcomes in our young patients' lives.

Ever wondered how a deeper understanding of brain plasticity could revolutionize your language therapy sessions? Join me as I share my key takeaways from Norman Doidge's eye-opening book, "The Brain That Changes Itself", and how we can harness the power of brain plasticity to create more effective and efficient therapy practices. Discover how roadblocks can pave the way for new brain maps, the significance of clear signals in information retention, and why focused attention is indispensable for molding and reshaping our brain maps.Let's dive into the fascinating world of auditory processing and its connection to language and speech impairments. Learn how I use pictures and descriptors to aid clients in naming exercises, and a shopping activity that helps improve word retrieval. We'll also explore the challenges language-impaired children face in perceiving the fast parts of speech and shed light on David Kilpatrick's "Equipped for Reading Success" program, which has been a game-changer for me as a clinician. Don't miss this enlightening episode that will transform the way you approach language therapy and help you unlock the full potential of the brain's plasticity!--- Useful Links ---The Brian that Changes Itself  Picnic FunThat Thing That Isn't APDEquipped for Reading Success Phonological Awareness Tracking ToolWhole Body ListeningImpossible R Made PossibleMusic: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Having a stash of fun and effective games for therapy you can turn to at a moment's notice is standard practice for pediatric SLPs. But sometimes we end up buying a game that's not so great—it's not fun, takes too long to set up, doesn't have enough practice opportunities, is finicky to play . . . the list goes on. Those games get shoved to the back of the closet quickly. To save you time and money investing in not-so-great games, I've rounded up nine of my favorite games. In this episode I describe these games plus how to incorporate target words in a way that promotes carryover from day one. Tumbling Tower , Jenga , Kerplunk , Connect 4 , Suspend , Dominoes , Pick up Sticks , Spot It , R Memory Cards , Impossible R Made Possible 

Even with the many AAC resources out there, the pathway for those with complex communication needs is not always clear cut. We all want our clients who use AAC to make that leap to becoming proficient communicators. Understanding more about how they learn is one way to help them progress, and that's what this episode is about. It covers: •    Core and fringe vocabular•    Stages of motor learning•    Meeting sensory and language needs simultaneously•    Descriptive teaching By the way— descriptive teaching is awesome—even if you don't have clients who use AAC! --- Useful Links ---Stage One Sentence Types Understanding Motor Learning Stages Improves Skill Instruction by J Huber The Center for AAC and Autism Sensory Books by Lizzie Descriptive Teaching Ready, Set, Go! with AAC Get Set with AAC: Mythbusting Everything Has a Name Music: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

As speech therapists we know the value of early intervention, and judging by the increase in toddlers on my case load, parents understand the value too. But—therapy with a two year old ain't no picnic!  A cranky two year old who wants to do things their way, doesn't want help, and can't communicate well makes for a trying therapy session.  What can help us understand two year old behavior better? Play schemas! Play schemas help toddlers make sense of the world, and they involve a fair amount of bashing, banging, pushing, pulling and general destruction testing. Because schemas seem like an obsession when the child is in full throttle mode with them, it helps to understand what schemes they are exploring. That way you can structure therapy to satisfy their needs and meet therapy goals. --- Useful Links ---A Guide to Schema Play in Toddlers Quote Investigator Music: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Great ideas for speech therapy materials abound, time to make them does not. That's why The Speech Umbrella has a Free Resource Library for SLPs on the front lines. In the ever growing library you'll find material for articulation, autism, clinic management, early listening and phonological awareness, fluency, and oral and written language.  This episode takes you on a tour of some of my favorite resources in the library. Tune in and find the resource you've been looking for to make your clinical life easier! --- Useful Links --- Simple Tools for Optimal Outcomes Where Everybody Knows Your Name To Infinity and Beyond Essential Language for Autism Challenges in Early Intervention First Words Project 16 by 16 Real Changes in Spoken Language with Sketch and Speak Simple Tools: Phonemic Awareness for Parents Youtube The Speech Umbrella Music: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

I used to have this burning question when I starting working with young autistic clients—How do I get an interaction going when this little human clearly wants nothing to do with me? Sound familiar? Let's face it, young children on the spectrum are a tough crowd, and that old uninvited friend, the imposter syndrome, returns.  The saying “You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink," applies here—you can set up a great therapy session but you can't make them interact or attend. So what can you do?  The great news is, we can get interactions going and we can engage them. This episode discusses how to use the simplest tools for optimal engagement using bubbles, balloons, balls, and bodies. --- Useful Links ---Hanen More Than Words Overview Opportunity Cost First Speak Their Language Simple Tools BalloonsMusic: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

This episode describes using movie making to teach inferencing and perspective taking. Just learning the language to express different perspectives is challenging, let alone understanding theory of mind. One way to tackle this gordian knot is through movie making and narration. Clients get a kick out of making movies, and SLP's get a kick out of the extensive learning taking place. The episode covers:  •    Choosing the book to turn into a movie•    Setting- promoting a thorough understanding•    Narration and Rehearsal•    An unexpected finding•    Who is this for?•    Tips for a smooth process and progress monitoring•    Results The good news is, it's not that difficult or time consuming once you have a process down. Tune in for all the tips and tricks to make this work in your practice, then watch the magic of learning commence.  Take a look at this complete movie activity package for the delightful book, Gregory, the Terrible Eater, by Mitchell Sharmat, available at The Speech Umbrella.  --- Useful Links ---Climbing the Social Detective Ladder Choose Your Books Wisely No Roses for Harry! Thinking About YOU Thinking About ME Gregory, the Terrible Eater Gregory, the Terrible Eater Story Activity Music: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

R can be a challenging sound to treat. We SLPs know R is a tricky sound, we know it involves complex oral motor skill, and we don't want to forget phonological awareness. But how do all of these skills fit together? What are the first and next steps?  This episode continues a conversation on a balanced approach to R therapy, and is part two of a two part discussion.   Check out the vocalic R freebie at thespeechumbrella.com/free! --- Useful Links ---Impossible R Made Possible Digging Into Stability and Mobility with Char Boshart Foundations of R More Than Tips and Tricks Peaceful Speech Equipped For Reading Success PAST Phonological Awareness Tracking Tool Phonemic Awareness for Parents video Under the Umbrella of Phonological Awareness Developmental Sequence of Phonemic Awareness Tracking Phonological Awareness Free Resource Library Music: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

R can be a challenging sound to treat. We SLPs know R is a tricky sound, we know it involves complex oral motor skill, and we don't want to forget phonological awareness. But how do all of these skills fit together? What are the first and next steps?  This episode begins a conversation on a balanced approach to R therapy, and is part one of a two part discussion.   Check out the vocalic R freebie at thespeechumbrella.com/free! ----- Useful Links ------Impossible R Made Possible  Digging Into Stability and Mobility with Char Boshart  Foundations of R More Than Tips and Tricks 

Episode 79 is an interview with Char Boshart. Char is the president of Speech Dynamics, an author of several books, and a presenter. Char has a deep understanding of the fundamentals of oral motor movement. If you know oral motor techniques work but are at a loss to explain why, Char has the answers. In this interview we discuss:stability and mobilitythe human tongueoral resting posturecarryover of articulationa new way to categorize phonemes Useful LinksSpeech Dynamics Motor Phonetics Human Motor Control Motor Control and Learning SpeechtherapyPD.com The PROMPT InstituteImpossible R Made Possible

Starting hard conversations with parents and clients is so much easier when you know how to say difficult things honestly and gracefully. Here's where the right turn of phrase, examples, and analogies smooth the way.   What this episode has to offer: finding the right words to introduce difficult topics Join me under the umbrella for tips on talking aboutFrequent absences and no-showsInsurance issuesDismissalParents in the therapy roomSuspected co-morbid conditions (like autism)Realistic time frames for progressClear feedback to clients 

Some clinical skills are difficult to teach at the university, and one of those is how to establish client-parent-clinician rapport, otherwise known as your “bedside manner.”  This episode explores six ways therapists can show they really care. They are: •    Read the room•    Mindful conversation•    Do your work•    Perspective taking•    Own your mistakes•    Stay mindful until the end As SLPs, communication is supposed to be our strong point, but these skills take time and experience to develop. Because these insights came from being on the patient side of things, they address real and valid blind spots we may fail to see in ourselves. 

Task Oriented Movement Activities support executive function. Activities that meet the criteria for TOM activities have:•    Multiple steps•    A problem to be solved•    A plan•    Opportunities to reflect and record•    Variations Seeing how to implement these activities is helpful, so this episode can be viewed on Youtube, in addition to listening on your regular podcast platform. Check out the freebies in the Free Resource Library—one for planning task orientated movement activities and one for reflecting and recording. They are located in the Form and Lists section. 

Don't we hear some of the funniest, wisest, all around best things from children? Here's a collection of some my funniest moments with clients in 2022. Enjoy Kids Say the BEST Things, 2022. 

Has it ever come to you in a startling, clear as a bell moment, that one of you clients has totally missed, skipped, and never even approached a skill they need in order to master the skill you're trying to teach?  Do you have a client who: •    struggles with curiosity•    lacks complex language development  •    has a very narrow range of interests If so, it's worth exploring whether they went through the development stage of asking “why?” This episode explores how to approach teaching “why?” with a school age client, and the many benefits that come with asking “why?” Here are just a few: •    Increase complex language•    Increase precision in language•    Increase variety of subjects a client can converse about•    Increase Depth of Knowledge•    Improve problem solving•    Develop a growth mindset Check out the Free Resource Library on thespeechumbrella.com/free for a freebie that goes with teaching “why?” 

Sometimes our university training doesn't leave us feeling confident treating pediatric voice disorders. Which makes it intimidating, to say the least, when you're faced with a child with a voice disorder. You might even feel like you've landed in a foreign country where you don't speak the language. Been there, done that! The good news is • You know more than you think you do. • There are lots of accessible resources for you. • This podcast sheds some light on where to begin and what to consider. Here's a sample from episode 73 “When you have a client like this, you can go down a rabbit hole investigating what the symptoms of various syndromes are and what the ramifications of this or that surgery are. I did that a little until I realized I wasn't going to find an answer. The answer was to just try. It's like throwing a noodle against the wall to see what sticks.” Tune in to hear a success story about a client with complex communication needs. 

This episode is an interview with Dr. Teresa Ukrainetz, who specializes in school-age language intervention.  Her current research centers on how to help students with language impairments gain control of the words and ideas of informational text, and her brilliantly simply method for this intervention is called Sketch and Speak.  Here is a snippet from the interview:  “I really wanted to look at expository. I felt like we were largely at sea trying to figure out how to support learning of informational text and expository discourse, and it's extra hard compared to narrative in that it's based on new learning. . . Kids are not only learning how to tell a story or how to understand a story with expository, they're learning chemistry and biology and history, and so they've got a lot of new content they're handling.” Research has shown just how valuable Sketch and Speak is for improving spoken language, something SLPs realize as soon as they start using it.  Click on the links below for the basic procedure and to see a clinical example. Visit The Speech Umbrella's free resource library for a two column note form, which is used in Sketch and Speak. 

When it comes to articulation carryover at home, wouldn't it be great if all parents understood how to support their child?  This podcast does what we often don't have time to do—it explains all about carryover, and gives parents realistic ways to support carryover at home.  Today's episode covers:•    What's a tipping point and why is it important for speech therapy?•    What is the SLP's role?•    What is the parents role?•    What is the child's role?•    How to make home practice a positive experience•    Ideas for FUN and EFFECTIVE home practice The number one take away when it comes to parents supporting generalization is: As the parent, your role is not to correct their speech, your role is to heighten awareness and accountability. Their role is to correct their speech. 

Therapy prep can be time consuming or painless— we all want more painless prep than painful! As you prep for therapy do you find yourself thinking: •    What can I do today that both fun and productive? And I'm sure my clients would appreciate something new!•    I don't have a big budget for materials, how can I best spend my money?•    I need something more than fun, it needs to make a difference for my clients and have lots of opportunities for practice.•    How can I teach self monitoring better? I'm sure if some of my clients could self monitor they would finally graduate! In my 30+ years as an SLP I've faced down all these questions and more, and I want to share some of my best kept secretes. That's why I create Simple Tools videos. This podcast takes you on a tour of the Simple Tools library, and highlights just a few of the videos in the areas of language, articulation, attention, phonological awareness, autism, and fun stuff. 

This episode is a follow up to episode 68 on assessment cluttering. It's about treatment, using the M.O.R.E. approach. More than a to do list, M.O.R.E. is a framework to help clients first make the cognitive changes that will lead to behavioral changes.  M.O.R.E. stands for motivation, ownership, recognition and earned fluency. If you've been wondering how to help a client who has plateaued in cluttering therapy, today's episode is for you! Wondering what earned fluency is? Vivian Siskin shared this brilliant insight in a fluency course—“You don't learn anything from unearned fluency, you do from earned fluency.” Episode 69 will guide clinicians to helping clients get to earned fluency.  And because assessment and treatment of cluttering can get—well— cluttered,  there is a cheat sheet for the M.O.R.E. approach in the free resource library. 

This is part one of a two part series. Episode 68 covers nine areas to assess when treating cluttering, while part two covers the M.O.R.E. treatment technique. In part one the following assessments areas are discussed: syllable collapse articulation  mid sentence revisions  lack of complex language run on sentences missing details and context in personal narratives syntax prosodyrate of speech 

Today's podcast is focused on L. While there's no doubt R can be a puzzler, L isn't far behind. Final L can be one of the most perplexing sounds for clients to master.  In this podcast SLP Angie Lewis explains how to elicit precise final Ls. And we find out that it's not so different from final vocalic R! Tune in as Angie walks us through all the steps needed to master L in all positions. 

Too many R clients get stuck somewhere between the sentence and conversation level, and can't make the leap to mastery. Helping these clients achieve mastery of R (or any phoneme) involves a philosophy about how to engage a learner in learning. The closer you get to less structured therapy tasks, such as conversation, the fewer worksheets there are, because therapy becomes more about you —the pilot, and the passenger-your client, figuring out the remaining roadblocks to complete mastery of R.  This episode covers•    Six roadblocks to R generalization •    Specific strategies for each roadblockMaterials to support mastery (because we do need some materials) 

Getting on the same page as parents when it comes to articulation therapy is challenging, and this is especially true when it comes to complicated sounds like R. As much as we want to educate parents, who has time to thoroughly explain co-articulation and motor requirements, let alone diving into secondary issues like phonemic awareness?  Concepts that are elementary to us can be hard for others to grasp in the short time we have to offer explanations.  That's why you'll find Making R Elementary, Dr. Watson valuable. I break R therapy down into these four easy, relatable concepts: •    Why R is complex•    Effects of co-articulation•    Secondary issues such as phonemic awareness, coping mechanisms •    Celebrating the small wins  Take advantage of these explanations to help you get on the same page with parents. 

Tongue ties, also referred to as tethered oral tissues (TOTs) can seem like a complex issue, but what it really comes down to is understanding when functional eating, speaking and sleeping are impaired.  This episode is a review of Merkel-Walsh and Overland's book Functional Assessment and Remediation of TOTs. With the information in this book, SLPs gain a clear understanding of their role in diagnosing and treating clients with TOTs.  Therapists with a background in a muscle-based approach to speech therapy are best equipped to serve clients with TOTs. Here's is a list of training resources the authors suggest: Ages and StagesBeckman and AssociatesChrysalis FeedingInternational Association of Orofacial MyologyNorthern Speech ServicesTalk ToolsThe Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional TherapyThe PROMPT Institute

Getting a valid measurement on complex language skills is challenging. Rubrics are a great tool for measuring multiple skills with multiple levels of complexity. They can also be valuable motivators for clients to monitor their own progress.Rubrics to the Rescue! discusses the when, how, who, and what of using rubrics in language therapy. 

As SLPs, problem solving is something we do every day with our clients. But add behavior challenges into the mix and progress can come to a screeching halt. Many of us don't receive training in this area, even at the graduate school level.  Sometimes the solution to challenging behavior shows itself when we step back and look at our clients in a new way,  or “with new eyes.” This episode discuss how to be led by our observations rather than pushed by our problems, and what a difference it can make for our clients. 

A constant message in modern superhero media is that BIGreactions are the ONLY solution. That's not a great message for anychild, let alone those who already struggle with outsize reactions.In The Dark Side of Superheroes, I explore• Skills that are fundamental to controlling reaction size• Problems with modern media• Fantastic books that model matching the reaction to the size ofthe problem.

When you teach your clients conjunctions, a little knowledge can become a dangerous thing. Sometimes clients start throwing conjunctions around like they're going out of style, and their stories become one big mess. This episode describes ways to help clients get conjunctions under control. Be sure to check out the Simple Tools video, Conjunction Function, showing a fun idea to make conjunctions visual. 

Have you noticed your clients with language impairments really struggle to recall names? This can be a real communication barrier, both socially and in literacy development.      Stories are the fabric of our existence and they make up a large part of our conversation. When our clients are telling stories, not only do they default to vague and non-specific language frequently, they can't even recall a person's name to include in their story! This episode, Where Everybody Knows Your Name, is full of suggestions for teaching name recall.              As a bonus, in the Free Resource Library you can download THREE stories with the same main character. You get simple stories and name recall practice all in one package! 

Are you ready to talk about grammar? Infinitive verbs are early developing, and too often overlooked, but they are critical in early language and cognitive development. To Infinity and Beyond! explores infinitive verbs in depth, and how they empower communication.  Included in this podcast are:•    Defining infinitive verbs—of course!•    A quick overview of Developmental Sentence Scoring•    Clinical examples of the power of infinitive verbs•    Ideas for teachingMaterials from The Speech Umbrella to help teach infinitives, including an illustrated story from The Free Resource Library 

What About ABA? covers a few key questions to ask parents that can help them figure out whether ABA therapy is right for them. Look for the following in episode #57:•   Questions to ask a potential ABA therapist•   The philosophy behind ABA therapy•   The philosophy behind relationship based approaches, such as Hanen and FloortimeThe complexity of language development 

While we understand that communication is more than talking, it's not always easy to explain why this is so to parents. Concepts that are so familiar to us—joint interaction, pragmatics, gesture development—are a whole new language for parents of kids with social communication disorders.  Hanen More Than Words gives SLPs the tools to coach parents on the non-verbal aspects of communication. Parents then become the experts in fostering social communication for their preschool age child.  In this episode you learn:•    How Hanen works•    What it means to OWLThe four stages of pragmatic communication 

We know many of our clients struggle with executive function. What's one powerful way families can teach executive function to their children? Chores! In episode 55, Nate and Melanie Young describe their chore system. Their system teaches skills for executive function and self regulation in a realistic setting, and it just works. 

This episode reviews Dr. Damon Korb's book, Raising an Organized Child. Dr. Korb not only explains organized thinking in an accessible way, but has suggestions for how to get there, from birth through high school. He describes how to implement five steps for organized thinking for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school aged children, and teens. The five steps are•    Be consistent•    Introduce order•    Give everything a place•    Practice forward thinking•    Promote problem solvingThis is a terrific book for SLPs and for parents! 

 | We know how important it is to teach our clients to read social cues. But that's so much easier said than done! Making the implicit explicit can be a real challenge for us.  Here's how Episode 53 can help: You'll find •    Several strategies for using books and video clips to teach social skills •    Ways to teach clients to understand what it means to “notice” social clues •    An explanation for parents about what it means to be a social detective and why it's critical  The list of strategies is available on the Free Resource Library at thespeechumbrella.com

Wouldn't it be handy to have a template for choosing the most effective books for therapy?That's exactly what you'll get in Episode 52, Choose Your Books Wisely. This episode covers:Four criteria for choosing an effective bookWhat adds to a book's complexityA comparison of two books, one that is effective and one that isn't, and why. But that's not all— check out the Free Resource Library  on thespeechumbrella.com for a list of favorite books to use in therapy and Bingo games to use when talking about or retelling stories.