For children with complex speech, language, and feeding disorders, the most transformative progress doesn’t happen by chance — it happens through an intentional, intensive partnership between clinician, child, and family. In more than 30 years of working as a pediatric speech-language pathologist, I have sat across from thousands of children
If you’ve ever seen your baby suddenly startle—arms flying out, fingers spread wide, maybe followed by a cry—you’ve witnessed the Moro reflex, often called the “startle reflex.” It’s completely normal in early infancy, but as your child grows, we want to see this reflex fade and integrate. When it doesn’t
Have you ever watched your child struggle with handwriting, lose their place while reading, or seem unusually clumsy compared to other kids their age? Maybe they avoid sports, lean their entire body when writing, or switch hands frequently during tasks. While these challenges can have many causes, one piece of
If you’ve ever felt like something about your child’s development just isn’t clicking, trust that instinct. Many parents discover reflex integration only after years of searching for answers — and suddenly everything makes sense. This blog is here to make that journey easier. We’ll talk about what reflexes are, why
As a pediatric occupational therapy practitioner, I often meet parents who are doing everything they can to help their child succeed-but still notice things like poor posture, trouble focusing, or difficulty with coordination. What many families don’t realize is that these challenges can sometimes be connected to something called a
As a Speech-Language Pathologist with over ten years in the field, I have had countless experiences seeing oral ties firsthand. I have learned how oral ties can potentially lead to a variety of issues down the road, including but not limited to: difficulty with milk transfer during breastfeeding, difficulty taking
When we think about the senses, we usually list the basics: sight, touch, taste, smell, and hearing. But the human body is far more complex than that. One of the most powerful—yet often overlooked—senses is interoception. Interoception is sometimes called our 8th sense, and it plays a major role in
(Read here to learn more about the basics of interoception and why it matters.) Here are some simple, low-pressure ideas you can try at home: “Body Check” Routines Create calm, predictable moments to check in with the body. Try asking questions like: • “What does your heart feel like right
Contributing author: Anna Grace Wood, GSU Graduate Student Clinician What is Gestalt Language Processing? Have you ever heard your child repeat a phrase from their favorite tv show or quote what you said earlier in the day? Then, you may be seeing your child using a way to process and
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
