Shows
The Speech Umbrella102 - Where's My Lane? Navigating Overlapping Roles in Pediatric TreatmentNo 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 y...
2024-06-1318 minThe Speech UmbrellaTransforming Interview Anxiety into Opportunities for Young Job SeekersStepping 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...
2024-02-2139 minThe Speech UmbrellaHitting the Pause ButtonTo 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
2023-12-1330 minThe Speech UmbrellaEmpowering Children with Autism Through Natural Language AcquisitionEver 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...
2023-11-0117 minThe Speech UmbrellaExploring the Impact of Leading and Lagging Indicators in TherapyAre 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 La...
2023-10-0412 minThe Speech UmbrellaThe Power of TooHave 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...
2023-09-2009 minThe Speech UmbrellaPuzzled by Learned Nasal Air Emission? You’re Not AloneTired 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 ca...
2023-09-0614 minThe Speech UmbrellaExploring Airway Health and Speech Therapy Connections with Dr. Shereen LimPrepare 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 tha...
2023-08-2344 minThe Speech UmbrellaTop Ten Toys for Speech and LanguageReady 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 m...
2023-08-0919 minThe Speech UmbrellaHarnessing the Power of Play in Speech Therapy with Lisa BoyceImagine 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 ph...
2023-07-2645 minThe Speech UmbrellaEpisode 89: A Rising Tide Floats All Boats, the Motor Language ConnectionDo 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...
2023-07-1213 minThe Speech UmbrellaThree Therapy Takeaways from "The Brain That Changes Itself" by Norman DoidgeEver 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...
2023-06-2818 minThe Speech UmbrellaNine Fun and Effective Games for Articulation TherapyHaving 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 the...
2023-06-1420 minThe Speech UmbrellaFour Ways to Support AAC UsersEven 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...
2023-05-3115 minThe Speech UmbrellaDo You Do Two?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 des...
2023-05-1714 minThe Speech UmbrellaFree Tools From The Speech UmbrellaGreat 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 Optim...
2023-05-0314 minThe Speech UmbrellaSimple Play for Optimal Outcomes with the Four BsI 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?
2023-04-1919 minThe Speech UmbrellaMaking Movies, Making InferencesThis 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...
2023-04-0520 minThe Speech UmbrellaA Balanced Approach to R Therapy, Part TwoR 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 Mo...
2023-03-2221 minThe Speech UmbrellaA Balanced Approach to R Therapy, Part OneR 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 Mobi...
2023-03-0815 minThe Speech UmbrellaDigging Into Stability and Mobility with Char BoshartEpisode 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 I...
2023-02-2254 minThe Speech UmbrellaHow to Have Hard Conversations With Parents and ClientsStarting 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
2023-02-0819 minThe Speech UmbrellaMy Doctors’ Lessons About Client CareSome 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...
2023-01-2514 minThe Speech UmbrellaThree Task Oriented Movement Activities for Executive FunctionTask 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.
2023-01-1118 minThe Speech UmbrellaKids Say the BEST ThingsDon’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.
2022-12-2807 minThe Speech UmbrellaUsing the 5 Why's to Foster a Growth MindsetHas 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 m...
2022-12-1417 minThe Speech UmbrellaPediatric Voice Therapy—Not a Foreign Country After AllSometimes 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 ep...
2022-11-3015 minThe Speech UmbrellaReal Changes in Spoken Language with Sketch and SpeakThis 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...
2022-11-1630 minThe Speech UmbrellaHome Activities for the Final Stages of Speech TherapyWhen 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 experien...
2022-11-0216 minThe Speech UmbrellaSimple Tools for Optimal OutcomesTherapy 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...
2022-10-1913 minThe Speech UmbrellaM.O.R.E. Success with Cluttering Therapy, part 2This 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—“...
2022-10-0524 minThe Speech UmbrellaM.O.R.E. Success with Cluttering Therapy, part 1This 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
2022-09-2114 minThe Speech UmbrellaAll About LToday’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.
2022-09-0726 minThe Speech UmbrellaIt's Not the Plane, It's the PilotToo 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 roadblock
2022-08-2421 minThe Speech UmbrellaMaking R "Elementary, Dr. Watson"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 fo...
2022-08-1013 minThe Speech UmbrellaWhat SLPs Need to Know About Tongue TiesTongue 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 train...
2022-07-2717 minThe Speech UmbrellaRubrics to the RescueGetting 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.
2022-07-1319 minThe Speech UmbrellaWith New EyesAs 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 o...
2022-06-2913 minThe Speech UmbrellaThe Dark Side of SuperheroesA 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.
2022-06-1518 minThe Speech UmbrellaRunaway ConjunctionsWhen 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.
2022-06-0113 minThe Speech UmbrellaWhere Everybody Knows Your NameHave 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 Libr...
2022-05-1810 minThe Speech UmbrellaTo Infinity and BeyondAre 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
2022-05-0411 minThe Speech UmbrellaWhat About ABA?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
2022-04-2016 minThe Speech UmbrellaHanen More Than Words OverviewWhile 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 stag...
2022-04-0614 minThe Speech UmbrellaChores: Charting a Path to Organized ThinkingWe 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.
2022-03-2341 minThe Speech UmbrellaRaising an Organized ChildThis 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!
2022-03-0930 minThe Speech UmbrellaClimbing the Social Detective Ladder | 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 Librar...
2022-02-2317 minThe Speech UmbrellaChoose Your Books WiselyWouldn’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 r
2022-02-0919 minThe Speech UmbrellaFour Simple Steps to Success: Jacquie's RecipeThis episode covers four simple, but effective, ways to help children of all abilities learn. My guest, Jacquie Johnson, shares her recipe for success both in the classroom and at home. Plus she shares how SLP’s can collaborate effectively with classroom teachers. You don’t want to miss Jacquie’s insights!--- Useful Links ---Episode 11: Tracking Phonological Awareness Episode 10: Under the Umbrella of Phonological Awareness Episode 4: Developmental Sequence of Phonemic AwarenessMusic: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission
2022-01-2637 min
The Speech UmbrellaThe Conversation GameIf you’re looking for a method to teach natural, spontaneous conversation, look no further than The Conversation Game. This episode describes how to improve an often overlooked skill needed for conversation.
2022-01-1222 minThe Speech UmbrellaWord DancingWhat is Word Dancing? Possibly the single best thing families can do to dramatically and positively impact their children’s speech and language, and their academic future. The research showing the relationship between word dancing and academic prowess is extremely robust. Find out more on Episode 49 of the The Mindful SLP. --- Useful Links ---A Parent, A child, and Autism, Interview with Rebecca Video by Dr. Todd RiselyDancing with Words, Mindful SLP blog postIt’s Never Too Early and It’s Never Too Late by Bradley D Foster
2021-12-2921 minThe Speech UmbrellaStop Playing Whack-A-Mole with Stuttering TherapyWhat is a vital, but often overlook component of stuttering therapy? Do you feel like there’s a missing piece with some clients who stutter, but you can’t put your finger on it? Find that missing piece in Episode 48 of The Mindful SLP. --- Useful Links ---Treating the School Age Child Who Stutters by Carl W Dell Jr.Avoidance Reduction Therapy in a Group Setting, seminar by Vivian SiskenDancing the Macarena on an IcebergImpossible R Made Possible
2021-12-1418 minThe Speech UmbrellaDancing The Macarena On An IcebergWhat do icebergs and the Macarena have to do with speech therapy? Episode 47 describes a case history of a fluency client, underlying issues that needed to be addressed before stuttering therapy could be effective, and how mindfulness can be one of your best tools.
2021-12-0122 minThe Speech UmbrellaFollow the Narrative RoadLet’s hear it for Narrative Intervention! Kids learn so much language with narrative therapy. But what if they seem ready for stories, but still can’t quite grasp narratives? Even when you use the most basic story they still struggle. Maybe they need to work on sequencing. In this podcast we discuss how to get our not-quite-ready-clients from here to there, by following the narrative road. --- Podcast Links ---Picture the Sentence Balloon Car The Story of My Life by Helen Keller Phonological Awareness Tracking Form Related Podcast Episode...
2021-11-1717 minThe Speech UmbrellaHow Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?Basic listening skills are critical to language and reading development, but if they’re missing how do you begin to work on them? Episode 45, “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?” is full of ideas and activities for building this foundational skill. This is one of the most useful things I do with young clients!--- Podcast Links ---Phonological Awareness Tracking Form Simple Tools with Denise B-I-N-G-O!
2021-11-0318 minThe Speech UmbrellaThat Thing That Isn't APDWhen a child has difficulty with listening skills, auditory processing and auditory memory, we could give it a lot of names, including Auditory Processing Disorder, or APD. But whether or not a client has an official APD diagnosis, SO many of them struggle in these areas. When it comes to working on listening, attention, and memory, you can’t start too soon, because improving listening and processing improves everything else. ---- Show Links ----Podcast EpisodesPhonological Awareness Tracking Form - episode 11 Narrative Language Intervention with Doug Peterson Part 1 - epi...
2021-10-2020 minThe Speech UmbrellaAdding Tools to the R ToolboxIt’s no secret that phonemic awareness plays a huge part in our clients’ success in both articulation and language. But what you may not know is just how specific and demanding the criteria for mastering phonemic awareness is. Typical assessments and programs don’t teach phonemic awareness in a way for our clients to reach the same level as their peers, and they may end up struggling for years to master speech and language skills. Dr. David Kilpatrick explores this topic in depth in his book Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties. https...
2021-10-0617 minThe Speech UmbrellaOpportunity CostThere are a lot of different treatment options in our profession, and let’s face it, often the experts don’t even agree. Added to that, every treatment choice comes with an opportunity cost. I get it. It’s valuable to have different treatment approaches, BUT when it comes to helping our clients learn to make and reciprocate eye contact, I’m a dyed-in-the-wool believer. I’m such a firm believer that I can’t stay silent when it’s suggested that eye contact can hurt, rather than help, our clients. This episod...
2021-09-2227 minThe Speech UmbrellaPut Down Your Pencils!Does data get you down? Do you find yourself struggling to write easy to measure goals that are still meaningful? Have you ever found you were measuring the wrong thing when it comes to writing progress reports? If any of this sounds familiar, then this podcast is for you! Learn to make data a good servant, instead of a bad master. Helpful LinksChallenges In Early InterventionPhonological Awareness Tracking Form
2021-09-0826 minThe Speech UmbrellaComplex Articulation Targets: Interview with Kelly VessHave you ever wondered what “complex target selection” means in the world of articulation therapy? Kelly Vess breaks it down for us episode 40 of The Mindful SLP. You won’t want to miss Kelly’s insights on a working with preschools to create maximal change, and set them on a path to life long learning. Associated Links4-Step Process to Selecting Complex Targets Speech Sound Disorders: Comprehensive Evaluation and Treatment Research Gate https://www.researchgate.net/Kelly’s Website. https://www.kellyvessslp.com/index.htmSimple Tools: PROMPT Method and Com...
2021-08-2543 minThe Speech UmbrellaWork Hard, Play HardSometimes you need your client to buckle down, pay attention and work hard, but that’s the last thing they want to do. Here’s a way to motivate a reluctant child to try their hardest.
2021-08-1110 minThe Speech UmbrellaThe Case of the Complicated KWhen NOTHING works to elicit k or g, here’s a little something that may help. Join us as we discuss a client with a very complicated /k/.
2021-07-2818 minThe Speech UmbrellaStarting a Clinic 101Have you been thinking about starting your own speech therapy clinic but feel intimated by everything you need to do? Let us talk you through the first steps! In this podcast we cover legal requirement, business management, marketing, and setting up your clinic.
2021-07-1435 minThe Speech UmbrellaWhen Every Word CountsUsing sticky notes to help clients organize their written language reduces the cognitive load of word order and word recall, and at the same time eliminates the frustration of constant erasing.
2021-06-3020 minThe Speech UmbrellaHappy One Year Anniversary (and an announcement)Celebrate with us! We are passing our one year anniversary and we couldn't be happier. We also passed our 2000th download this week. Thank you everyone, wherever you listen.
2021-06-2301 minThe Speech UmbrellaOrganizing Language - Now with a BoxHelping clients organize their language is a huge part of what we do. Using boxes to represent language concepts can help the abstract become concrete. In this podcast we describe many ways a box can take your therapy to the next level.
2021-06-1617 minThe Speech UmbrellaNarrative Intervention with Young AdultsNarrative language intervention with young adults can get complicated pretty fast, leaving therapists wondering how to intervene effectively. Join us as we take a deep dive into a case study with a young adult. Free downloadable resources for this age are available in the Free Resource Library.
2021-06-0928 minThe Speech UmbrellaChallenges in Early InterventionEarly Intervention therapy can be challenging without good information on the developmental order of foundational skills, such as gestures. This episode introduces a fantastic resource for clinicians and parents on gesture development and its connection to language. Find and download a free tracking chart for gestures in the Free Resource Library.
2021-06-0216 minThe Speech UmbrellaFirst, Speak Their LanguageSome children’s first spoken language is sound effects, and language therapy with a child like this might go nowhere fast unless the SLP recognizes and begins speaking their language. Tune into this episode and get some tips on how to treat these children.
2021-05-2613 minThe Speech UmbrellaThose Stubborn, Persistent LispsAre you tearing your hair out over a persistent lisp? Do you have a client with a lateral lisp that resists correction? If so, then this podcast can help you understand what to look at in order to correct that lisp once and for all.
2021-05-1911 minThe Speech UmbrellaPROMPT Therapy OverviewIf you’ve ever wondered what PROMPT therapy is all about, then this podcast is for you. In this episode you’ll get an overview of how speech therapists use PROMPT to look at all of the aspects of articulation, the order they develop, and how they integrate.
2021-05-1227 min