PediaSpeech Blog
News, announcements, and feature articles of interest to our PediaSpeech families
Reflex Integration
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 they sometimes don’t fully integrate,…
The STNR Reflex – A Simple Guide for Parents and How to Support It at Home
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 primitive reflex-specifically, the Symmetrical Tonic…
My Story– Experiencing Infant Oral Ties as a Speech-Language Pathologist
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 bottles or transitioning to solids,…
Understanding Interoception: The “Eighth Sense” Every Parent Should Know About
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 helping us understand what’s happening…
Easy Ways Parents Can Support Interoception at Home
(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 now—fast, slow, or something else?”…
What is Gestalt Language Processing and How is it Best to Provide Help with my Child?
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 develop language known as Gestalt…
Phonological Awareness for 2–3 Year Olds: Playful Ways Parents Can Support Early Speech Skills
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 age, phonological awareness develops best…
Helping Selective Eaters Thrive During the Holidays — A Pediatric Feeding Therapist’s Guide
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 therapist, I want to reassure…
Food Chaining: Helping Your Child Enjoy New Foods
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 chaining focuses on comfort, familiarity,…
You must be logged in to post a comment.