As a pediatric speech-language pathologist, I’m often asked: “What can I do at home to help my toddler with speech?” One of the most important—and often overlooked—skills to support between ages 2 and 3 is phonological awareness. The good news? You don’t need flashcards, worksheets, or formal lessons. At this
The holidays are such a joyful, sensory-filled time… and for many families of selective eaters, they can also be a source of stress. Between unpredictable schedules, unfamiliar foods, and well-meaning relatives who really want your child to “just try a bite,” it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. As a pediatric feeding
What Is Food Chaining? If your child is a selective or cautious eater, you’re not alone. Many parents struggle with mealtimes when their child refuses to try new foods. Food chaining is a gentle, step-by-step approach that helps children expand their diet by starting with foods they already enjoy. Food
Eliot Axt and her twin brother were born three months premature, each weighing just two pounds. Eliot’s early entry into the world marked the start of a long, difficult journey ahead, beginning with a four-month stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). There, Eliot experienced a brain bleed and
As parents, you’re often attuned to your child’s developmental milestones and are quick to celebrate their progress. However, each child is different, and milestones are met at a variety of times depending on the person. If you’re wondering whether your child might benefit from a speech therapist, here are some
It seems like many of the children in my life are getting ear tubes. While getting ear tubes placed is a routine and common procedure for pediatricians and ENTs, there are important sensory implications that parents should be aware of. What Causes Frequent Ear Infections in Children? Ear infections can
PROMPT stands for Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets PROMPT therapy is a technique that can be used to treat a variety of speech delays and disorders. PROMPT is particularly helpful in the treatment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Children diagnosed with CAS often lack planning and
What is a Tongue Tie? Tongue ties have become a hot-button issue lately, yet many remain unfamiliar with what they entail or how to recognize them. Essentially, a tongue tie occurs when excess tissue tethers the tongue to the floor of the mouth, either anteriorly (at the front) or posteriorly
Expressive or Receptive Language: Which One Comes First? Have you ever been chatting around your baby or toddler thinking they can’t understand you, but come to find out they could understand you the whole time? Maybe you were watching football and yelling at your team’s quarterback “Throw it! Throw it!”
If you look back at our previous blog, Imitating Speech: What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and How Might it Affect My Child, you will see a breakdown of what Childhood Apraxia of Speech is and how it presents in young children. In a nutshell, CAS involves lack of
As toddlers grow and develop, mastering new skills becomes vital to their daily lives. One such skill that holds a good deal of significance is cup drinking. In this blog post, we’ll explore the developmental benefits of cup drinking for toddlers and delve into preferred cups in occupational therapy, speech
Why does my child repeat everything they hear? We’ve all seen it. The dreaded moment when a toddler is beginning to acquire language, and they repeat something they really shouldn’t. It happens to the best of us. And it happens in every family, whether people care to share the
