Receptive language refers to the ability of individuals to comprehend or understand language as it is spoken or written by others. It encompasses the processing of words, sentences, and meaning conveyed through language, which is crucial for effective communication. People use receptive language skills to follow instructions, understand stories, answer questions, and engage in conversations. Contrastingly, expressive language involves the production of language, allowing individuals to convey their thoughts, feelings, and ideas to others. This includes speaking, writing, and utilizing non-ver ..read more

Seeking the right speech therapy services can be a crucial step for many individuals and their families. If you are searching for pediatric speech therapy for your child, or looking for the best speech therapist in your vicinity to address specific communication challenges, understanding your options is essential. You are your child’s best advocate in their early years of development and talking with your pediatrician is a great starting point. Early intervention is particularly important for children with speech or language delays, as it can greatly enhance outcomes by addressing issues as so ..read more

Telegraphic speech refers to a form of communication commonly used by young children as they are developing their language skills. It involves speaking in short, simple phrases, usually comprised of only the most important words needed to convey a message. These 2-3 word phrases exclude non-essential parts of speech, such as articles, prepositions, and auxiliary verbs. Telegraphic speech sounds like telegrams, where brevity was valued and filler words were left out to save time and cost. Telegraphic speech is an important phase in speech development. It emerges once children have progressed p ..read more

Speech development in babies is a fascinating and vital aspect of their growth, revealing the intricate process in which infants learn to communicate with the world around them. From the very first coos and babbles to the formation of syllables and first words, this developmental milestone is crucial for social interaction and cognitive development. Comprehension goes hand in hand with speech as babies begin to understand and respond to language, setting the foundation for effective communication. As caregivers, there is much you can do to begin laying the foundation for communication with you ..read more

Bedtime Tales: Boosting Speech & Language Skills with Stories In today’s digital age, where screens dominate our children’s lives, the power of storytelling remains a timeless tradition. Bedtime stories not only engage and captivate young minds but also offer a unique opportunity to boost speech and language skills. By immersing children in the magical world of stories, parents can help them develop crucial communication skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Through the art of storytelling, children are exposed to a rich vocabulary, varied sentence structures, and complex ch ..read more

Unlocking the Power of Language: Understanding Mean Length of Utterance (MLU) Language is a powerful tool that allows us to communicate our thoughts, express our emotions, and connect with others on a deeper level. But have you ever wondered how language develops in young children? How do they progress from babbling to forming coherent sentences? One way to measure a child’s language development is by measuring their Mean Length of Utterance (MLU). In this article, we will explore the concept of MLU and its importance in understanding language development. MLU, or Mean Length of Utterance, me ..read more

4 Embark on a journey to uncover the essential features that make toys the ideal tools for promoting speech development. One of my primary missions in my speech and language practice is to educate families on the importance of opening the doors to communication.  Speech is so much more than talking.  It is listening, comprehending, taking turns, gesturing, commenting, asking and answering questions, and requesting to name just a few.  The right toy can set the stage for many of these opportunities. Throughout the year, parents often ask me for advice on toy/ gift ideas, especial ..read more

3 ARTICULATION In this comprehensive guide, we will navigate the journey of speech sound development and discuss the basis for evaluation and treatment in articulation therapy. Understanding the milestones and stages of speech sound acquisition is crucial for identifying potential delays and designing effective intervention plans. Articulation therapy, distinct from phonological and childhood apraxia of speech therapies, targets specific speech sound errors to enhance clarity and pronunciation. We’ll explore the various assessment methods used to evaluate speech sound production and discuss ev ..read more

5 Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is distinctly different than articulation and phonological delays with regards to evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. If you’re confused about your child’s speech delay, it’s best to consult an experienced speech pathologist in a timely manner. At the end of this post, I share some resources for finding that speech pathologist in your area. The late Pam Marshalla, a renowned Speech Pathologist, said it best in the opening to her book, Apraxia Uncovered- Seven Stages of Phoneme Development, “Children with apraxia and dysarthria do not respond well to tradi ..read more

5 What is PROMPT? PROMPT is an acronym for: Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets.  This is a dynamic, hands-on program for children with apraxia of speech in which the trained clinician shapes the movement of a child’s jaw, tongue, and lips using our hands in support of sound production.  Although the use of touch and movement is an integral component, PROMPT is more than just executing tactile support.  It is a program that incorporates all aspects of a child’s processing, understanding, and interaction. These areas of development, or dom ..read more