Strong Roots Speech

Exciting Summer Mini-Camps!

2025-03-18

We’re so excited to share that all 4 of our summer camps are officially FULL! We can’t wait for a season full of fun, growth, and new friendships. Let the summer adventures begin!

Understanding Learning Styles: How Your Preschooler Navigates Their Day

2025-02-21

As adults, we have our preferred ways of absorbing information - and so do our kids! By understanding these learning styles, we can better support their growth and relate to their daily experiences.

The Four Learning Styles

1. Visual Learners

Our Kids: These children learn best through seeing and are drawn to bright colors, visual aids, and enjoy looking at books and pictures. They thrive on visual schedules, picture books, and demonstrations, often remembering what they see.
Adult Parallel: If you enjoy diagrams, charts, or visual instructions, you might be a visual learner too! A well-designed infographic can make complex information easier for you to digest.

2. Auditory Learners

Our Kids: These children excel when they listen - they enjoy music, rhymes, and often have strong verbal skills. They benefit from verbal instructions, songs, and storytelling, often enjoying group discussions and listening to others.
Adult Parallel: Do you find that listening to podcasts or audiobooks helps you learn new concepts? That’s your auditory learning style at work.

3. Kinesthetic Learners

Our Kids: These children learn through movement and touch, often energetic and enjoying hands-on activities. They need opportunities to move and manipulate objects, with activities like building blocks, sensory play, and physical games helping them grasp new concepts.
Adult Parallel: If you learn best by doing—like assembling furniture or participating in workshops—you’re a kinesthetic learner with a hands-on approach to learning.

4. Reading/Writing Learners

Our Kids: These children prefer working with words, both reading and writing, enjoying writing their own stories or reading books. They excel with worksheets, reading activities, and writing exercises, often preferring quiet time to explore books and practice writing.
Adult Parallel: If you take notes or learn best through reading manuals and writing summaries, you’re likely a reading/writing learner. You’re a book worm and proud of it!

Leveraging Learning Styles for Success

Recent studies, such as those published in the Journal of Educational Psychology, have shown that while children may have a dominant learning style, they benefit from a multi-sensory approach. This means integrating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements into learning experiences enhances their overall comprehension and retention.

Understanding your preschooler's learning style is a crucial step in supporting their educational journey. By relating it to our adult experiences, we can support a deeper connection with our kids and create an environment that caters to their unique needs. Learning is a lifelong process, and the more we understand about how our children learn, the better equipped we are to guide them on their path.

Navigating Holiday Overstimulation: Making the Season Comfortable for Kids and Adults

2024-11-14

The holiday season brings an exciting blend of lights, music, and festivities, but for many children—especially those with sensory processing challenges—this time of year can feel overwhelming. Sensory overload is common when routines shift, environments change, and there's an influx of new experiences. While adults may experience their own version of stress, for children with sensory sensitivities, the holiday season can lead to significant overstimulation, manifesting in changed behaviors and heightened anxiety.

Why Do Holidays Lead to Sensory Overload?

Children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) or sensitivities often struggle to filter out excess stimuli. What might be small inconveniences for some can become intense experiences for others. Studies have shown that children with sensory sensitivities often have difficulty managing changes in visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli in their environment.

During the holidays, these children face several added stressors:

Visual Overload: From blinking lights to an abundance of holiday décor, the extra visual input can overwhelm a child’s senses.

Smell Overload: The holidays often come with an increase in potent scents like pine trees, scented candles, and holiday cooking. Research suggests that smells can have a profound effect on those with sensory processing differences. Children sensitive to olfactory stimuli may experience discomfort or irritability when exposed to strong, unfamiliar smells.

Auditory Overload: The season brings music, crowds, and a general increase in noise levels, both in the home and out in public spaces. For a child already sensitive to sound, the holidays can be a sensory minefield.

In a 2017 study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, researchers found that children with SPD demonstrated heightened responses to sensory stimuli, particularly when their regular routines were disrupted. These disruptions, combined with the amplified stimuli of the holidays, can lead to meltdowns, withdrawal, or other behavioral changes.

Managing Holiday Overload for Kids

One of the keys to helping a child with sensory sensitivities navigate the holiday season is to recognize when overstimulation is likely to happen and make adjustments accordingly. Here are some strategies to consider:

Maintain Familiar Routines: While it may be tempting to change things up during the holidays, try to keep a consistent schedule as much as possible. Routines help children feel secure and grounded.

Reduce Visual Stimulation: Limit the amount of holiday décor in your home and avoid cluttered spaces. Consider designating one festive room and leaving the rest of the house as a calm space.

Be Mindful of Smells: Limit the use of strong holiday scents, like candles or air fresheners, and be aware that certain smells from holiday cooking may be overwhelming for sensitive children. You could use unscented or lightly scented décor or cook foods that your child is familiar with.

Create Break Spaces: Give your child the opportunity to retreat to a quiet space when they feel overwhelmed. Set aside a room or a cozy corner where they can take a sensory break, even in the middle of family gatherings.

Adults Experience Overload, Too

It’s important to note that children aren’t the only ones who may struggle with overstimulation during the holiday season. For adults, the added pressures of shopping, planning events, and managing family dynamics can lead to sensory overload as well. Research shows that even adults without diagnosed sensory disorders can experience overwhelm when they are bombarded with stimuli, whether it’s the chaotic environment of a shopping mall or the endless list of holiday tasks.

Many adults notice the impact of increased noise, crowded stores, and pressure to “get everything done.” This stress can contribute to feelings of anxiety, irritability, or exhaustion. We often place so much emphasis on how the holidays should look—perfectly decorated homes, impeccably wrapped gifts, elaborate meals—that we lose sight of how the holidays feel.

Making the Holidays Enjoyable for All

Whether you’re a parent of a child with sensory sensitivities or an adult managing your own stress, it’s essential to focus on making the holiday season enjoyable in a way that feels authentic to your family. Instead of focusing on perfection, try these ideas:

Give Yourself Grace: It’s okay if everything doesn’t go according to plan. Embrace flexibility and understand that overstimulation and stress happen—sometimes the best moments come from going with the flow.

Put Less Pressure on Appearances: Instead of stressing over the most elaborate holiday décor or extravagant gifts, shift the focus to experiences that feel meaningful and comfortable for your family.

Prioritize Emotional Well-Being: Make space for quiet, reflective moments, and remember that it’s okay to take breaks from the busyness of the season. Whether it’s a short walk, a quiet afternoon at home, or a sensory break for your child, prioritize relaxation and emotional comfort.

In the end, the holidays don’t have to be a source of stress or sensory overload. By being mindful of your child’s needs—and your own—you can create a joyful, calm, and balanced holiday season that emphasizes connection, well-being, and grace.

References:

Ayres, A. J. (1979). Sensory Integration and Learning Disorders. Western Psychological Services.

Dunn, W. (1997). The Sensory Profile: Examiner's Manual. Psychological Corporation.

Bogdashina, O. (2003). Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome: Different Sensory Experiences, Different Perceptual Worlds. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Miller, L. J., Schoen, S. A., & Nielsen, D. M. (2017). Sensory Overresponsivity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Prevalence and Influence on Comorbidities. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

Mathew, L., & Thelen, E. (1991). Interrupting the Executive: The Psychology of Multitasking and Its Costs. Psychological Science.

The Rise in Speech and Language Delays and Disorders: Understanding the Factors at Play

2024-10-10

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in speech and language delays and disorders among children, leaving parents and caregivers questioning the underlying reasons. While there is no single cause, a combination of factors has contributed to this rise. Let's explore some of the key factors shaping the landscape of speech and language delays and disorders in today's world.

The Impact of COVID-19: The global COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdowns have had a significant influence on children's speech and language development. The disruption of routines, limited social interactions, and reduced access to needed therapy services have impacted children's language acquisition. The shift to remote learning and virtual interactions, while necessary, may not provide the same level of language-rich environment and social engagement as face-to-face interactions, potentially affecting speech development.

Technology and Attention Span: The increasingly fast-paced digital world and the ubiquity of technology have raised concerns about the impact on children's attention span and language development. Excessive screen time and the constant stimulation of devices can potentially hinder a child's ability to focus and engage in meaningful communication. Limited face-to-face interactions and reduced opportunities for imaginative play can affect language acquisition and expressive skills.

Rise in Incidence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), has also contributed to the increase in speech delays and disorders. Children with these conditions may experience challenges in speech and language development, requiring specialized support and intervention from speech-language pathologists.

Environmental Factors: Environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins, pollution, and certain chemicals, have been linked to speech delays and disorders. These factors can impact a child's neurodevelopment, affecting speech and language acquisition.

Increased Awareness, Diagnosis, and Acceptance: More parents, educators, and healthcare professionals are recognizing red flags, seeking out assessment, and accepting support.

The rise in speech delays and disorders among children is influenced by a complex interplay of factors. Here are some key things you can do to support your child:

1. Limit Screen Time and Encourage Interactive Play

How: Set clear limits on screen time, opting for educational content when screens are used. Instead, encourage face-to-face communication and interactive play activities like puzzles, building blocks, or imaginative games.

Why: Reducing screen time fosters more meaningful interactions, giving children opportunities to practice language skills, develop focus, and engage in conversations that build vocabulary and communication skills.

2. Prioritize Social Interaction and Language-Rich Environments

How: Organize playdates, attend group activities, or enroll your child in in-person programs that allow them to interact with peers. Engage them in family conversations and involve them in tasks that require communication, like helping with cooking or household chores.

Why: Social interaction is crucial for speech development. It provides real-world contexts for language use, helping children pick up new words, practice sentence structure, and improve their expressive language skills.

3. Seek Early Intervention if Needed

How: If there are concerns about your child’s speech development, consult with a pediatrician or speech-language pathologist. Early intervention programs or specialized therapies can address speech delays caused by neurodevelopmental disorders or environmental factors.

Why: Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve speech and language outcomes for children with delays, especially when they receive individualized support tailored to their needs.

Navigating Back-to-School with a Child Who Has Special Needs

2024-09-06

As the back-to-school season approaches, it’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety—especially when your child has special needs. You may worry about how they’ll adjust to new routines, interact with peers, and whether their needs will be fully supported in the classroom. These concerns are completely valid, but with the right preparation, support, and perspective you and your child can navigate this transition successfully.

Managing Anxiety and Setting Up Supports

Before school begins, reach out to the school to ensure that any necessary supports, such as an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), 504 Plan, or building level supports are in place. Communicate openly with your child’s teachers, special education staff, and therapists to clarify expectations and share insights about your child’s strengths, challenges, and special needs.

Request regular check-ins during the first few weeks of school to ease your concerns and monitor how your child is adjusting. These early conversations with the school team can help you stay informed and advocate for your child as needed.

Talking to Your Child About the Transition

Your child may also have worries about starting a new school year. Talk to them in an age-appropriate way about what to expect. Walk them through their new daily routine, visit the school or playground ahead of time, and use visual aids like a schedule or social story to help them feel more confident about what’s to come.

Reassure your child that it’s okay to feel nervous and that you’re there to support them every step of the way. Help them express their feelings through words, pictures, or gestures if they struggle to communicate how they’re feeling. Take time to validate their feelings.

Give It Time

As much as we’d like things to fall into place quickly, adjusting to a new school year takes time. The first few weeks may be overwhelming for both you and your child, but it’s important to allow time for routines to settle in. If you have developmental or academic concerns, try waiting a few weeks to see how your child adapts. Sometimes, children need space to adjust before we can accurately assess their needs in a new environment.

A Final Note of Encouragement

I know how overwhelming it can feel to send your child with special needs back to school, but you’re not alone in this. No matter how much you prepare for back-to-school, there will always be some anxiety when facing something new—that’s completely normal. It's a sign of future growth! Feeling and embracing the discomfort is part of the process for both you and your child. Just getting started each morning is a powerful step. Even on challenging days, taking that initial leap to school sets the tone, giving you and your child the momentum to keep moving forward and building on small victories throughout the day.

Choosing the Right Sippy Cup

2023-10-14

Hard-topped sippy cups, although commonly used, can have some disadvantages when it comes to oral development. Here are a few key reasons:

Impact on Oral Muscles: Hard spouts require more effort from your child's oral muscles to extract the liquid. This can potentially lead to overuse of certain muscles, which may affect the natural development of oral motor skills necessary for speech and feeding.

Lack of Tongue Movement: Soft, flexible spouts allow for a more natural tongue movement, which is crucial for speech development. Hard tops restrict the tongue's movement and may hinder the development of tongue coordination needed for speech sounds.

Potential for Dental Issues: Prolonged use of hard-topped sippy cups can also impact dental development. The constant pressure on the gums and teeth can lead to misalignment and other dental issues, potentially requiring orthodontic intervention.

Children should transition to regular open cups by around age 1 to promote proper oral motor development. Hard-topped sippy cups can delay this transition and make it more challenging for your child to learn to sip from an open cup.

For these reasons, I often recommend using soft-spout or straw cups as a more developmentally appropriate option for your child. These cups promote a healthier oral motor development, speech development, and dental health. When the time is right, make a smooth transition to open cups to support your child's growing needs and development.

Speech Delay: Should We Wait and See?

2023-09-04

As parents, we often wonder if our child's speech errors are just a passing phase or if they require professional intervention. It's natural to hope that our little ones will grow out of these errors on their own. However, understanding the importance of early intervention and the incredible window of opportunity for speech development in children from birth through 5 years old can make all the difference in setting them up for success. It's important to be familiar with normal development (find this under the resources tab) in order to determine if your child's errors are age-appropriate or indicate a delay. Let's delve into the reasons why waiting and seeing may not be the best approach when it comes to speech delay.

The Power of Early Intervention: Research emphasizes the significance of early intervention in speech development. The early years are a critical period when the brain is highly plastic and receptive to learning. By intervening early, speech therapists can help children overcome speech errors, prevent potential challenges, and optimize their language skills during this prime developmental stage.

Harnessing Brain Plasticity: From birth to age 5, a child's brain exhibits remarkable plasticity—the ability to adapt and change in response to experiences. During this period, neural connections related to speech and language are actively forming. Early intervention takes advantage of this plasticity, allowing speech therapists to shape and strengthen these connections, improving articulation one baby-step at a time.

Impact on Academic and Social Success: Speech errors, if left unaddressed, can impact a child's academic and social success. Because children with speech delay may have poor auditory, phonologic, and verbal memory skills, delaying intervention may lead to challenges in classroom participation, reading, and social interactions. Early intervention helps children overcome these obstacles, ensuring they have a strong foundation for future academic and social achievements.

Boosting Confidence and Self-esteem: Early intervention not only improves speech and language skills but also has a profound impact on a child's self-confidence and self-esteem. Clear and effective communication allows children to express themselves with clarity, be better understood by others, and participate confidently in social interactions. By addressing speech errors early on, children gain confidence in their abilities and develop a positive self-image.

Individualized Approach: Speech therapists specialize in assessing and treating speech disorders in children. They employ evidence-based techniques and individualized strategies tailored to each child's unique needs. Waiting and hoping for spontaneous improvement may delay the support and guidance that can make a significant difference in your child's speech development journey.

While it is tempting to adopt a wait and see approach to speech errors in young children, understanding the importance of early intervention and brain plasticity can shift our perspective. Seeking professional support from a qualified speech therapist during the critical years of birth through 5 can unlock the full potential of your child's speech development. If your child is beyond age 5 and you have concerns, it's never too late to jump on board. Remember, addressing speech delay early not only sets the stage for improved communication but also positively impacts academic success, social interactions, and overall self-esteem.

Practical Strategies for Supporting Speech Development

2023-08-16

As a parent or caregiver, you play a vital role in supporting your child's speech development on a daily basis. Wondering what you can do to create a supportive environment for their speech development? Here, I'll provide you with practical strategies to correct and model proper articulation, while also addressing when it may be necessary to seek professional help from a speech pathologist. Let's explore how you can be a speech-supporting superhero!

1. Have Frequent Conversations and Be an Attentive Listener: Create a language-rich environment by engaging in regular conversations with your child. Talk about their interests, narrate daily activities, and encourage them to express themselves. When your child speaks, give them your undivided attention. Be patient, allowing them to finish their thoughts without interruption. As cute as it may sound, skip "baby talk." By speaking with them as a valued communication partner, you’ll set a strong foundation for communicative confidence, risk-taking, and mistake-making.

2. Model Correct Articulation: Modeling is an effective way to help your child develop correct articulation. Repeat their words or sentences back to them, emphasizing clear pronunciation. However, avoid directly correcting their errors, as it can lead to frustration. Instead, provide indirect modeling by rephrasing their statement with the correct articulation, without drawing attention to their mistake. For example, if your child says, "Uhh, ah ma dih-saur inna tar eh I go geh ih?" You can reply, "Yes! Your dinosaur is in the car! Sure, you can go get it."

3. Encourage Active Listening: Active listening skills are essential for speech development. Engage your child in activities that enhance their listening skills, such as reading books together, playing auditory games, or listening to age-appropriate podcasts or audio stories. These activities promote attentive listening, improve critical thinking skills, and contribute to the overall ability to self-monitor their own speech.

4. Incorporate Speech-Enhancing Activities: Integrate speech-enhancing activities into your daily routine. Sing songs, recite rhymes, and engage in tongue twisters that target specific sounds. Explore my free downloads and target sounds that are most difficult. Create silly games that keep their interest and attention.

5. Recognize Communication Milestones: Familiarize yourself with typical communication milestones for your child's age. If you notice significant delays or persistent difficulties in speech and language development, it may be appropriate to seek professional guidance from a speech pathologist. They can assess your child's abilities, provide targeted intervention, and guide you with specific strategies to support their unique needs.

Creating a positive and supportive environment is crucial for your child's speech development. Celebrate their efforts, regardless of any mistakes or mispronunciations. Offer praise and encouragement to boost their confidence and motivation. Remember that each child develops at their own pace. With your love, patience, and supportive guidance, you can empower your child on their journey towards confident and effective speech.

My Son's Teacher Thinks He Needs Speech Therapy, But I Don't...

2023-07-17

It's a common scenario: parents and close caregivers seem to effortlessly understand their child's speech, even when others find it challenging. I hear this often, "my son's teacher thinks he needs speech therapy, but I don't. I understand everything he says." Have you ever wondered why this happens? It turns out that our brains possess a remarkable ability to become acclimated to a child's unique speech patterns, making it easier for parents and close caregivers to understand their little one's speech, despite their errors or mispronunciations. Let's dive into why.

Acclimation to Unique Speech Patterns: Parents and close caregivers spend a lot of time interacting with their child, listening to their speech from an early age. As a result, their brains become attuned to their speech patterns, error tendencies, and pronunciation idiosyncrasies. Over time, this enables them to effectively decipher their child's intended messages, even when others may struggle.

Contextual Clues and Familiarity: Parents and close caregivers are familiar with their child's daily routines, activities, and vocabulary. They naturally possess contextual knowledge that helps them understand their child's speech. They can draw upon shared experiences, predict the content of conversations, and fill in any comprehension gaps through context and familiarity. Contextual understanding and continuous exposure help bridge any communication barriers caused by speech errors.

Nonverbal Cues and Body Language: Communication is not solely dependent on spoken words. Parents and close caregivers have an advantage in interpreting their child's speech through nonverbal cues and body language. They are highly attuned to their child's facial expressions, gestures, and intonations, which serve as valuable supplementary information. These nonverbal cues provide additional context that aids in understanding the child's intended message, even when their speech may contain errors.

Emotional Connection and Intuition: The emotional bond between parents or close caregivers and their child fosters a unique intuitive connection. This bond helps parents anticipate and interpret their child's needs, desires, and thoughts, even if their speech may not be perfectly articulated. The emotional connection enables parents to pick up on subtle cues and nuances in their child's speech, further enhancing their understanding and communication.

The unique ability of parents and close caregivers to understand a child's speech, even with errors, stems from a combination of factors. Acclimation to unique speech patterns, contextual clues, nonverbal cues, emotional connection, and continuous exposure all play a vital role. As parents, it's important to recognize and appreciate this, while also seeking professional guidance if speech concerns persist. Through understanding developmental norms (find these under the resources tab) and seeking support as needed, parents can support effective communication across conversational partners and create a strong foundation for their child's speech development.