Teach Me To Talk

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she shares top strategies for helping toddlers learn to understand words and follow directions during daily routines. Resources mentioned during the show can be found at this link:

In this week's show, join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com we're continuing the topic from last show #346 for using my hierarchy for treating toddlers with speech-language delays/disorders. This week we're discussing ways to improve a toddler's social connectedness with other people - especially his parents at home during everyday routines. First, we'll review red flags for differences in social interaction. Many times parents miss these characteristics in their own children. Many times therapists don't point these out because we either don't recognize them as red flags or we're too afraid of a parent's reaction. We'll talk about that on the show too! Our overall strategies for improving a child's ability to respond to you are: Consistently respond to him. Don’t let a toddler “check out” or be alone for long periods of time. Get eye to eye and face to face! Don’t force eye contact and interaction – invite it! Sound fun… less like an adult and more like a kid! Do what a toddler likes. Play, play, play…and then play some more! Limit distractions when you’re working on responding. Be the toy! Avoid power struggles. Lavish love! Be persistent in your attempts to join him. Reward a child’s efforts to respond to you. Final review… what “counts” as responding? Remember - Your #1 goal is INTERACTION! Listen for ways to work on social skills in everyday routines! Try activities that involve Movement, Music, Sensory Experiences, Social Games

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she walks through goals during everyday routines. Today we'll be discussing the first part of "I Need a Plan" for social skills with ideas forhow to help a child learn to respond and connect in lots of ways throughout the day. 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she discusses how to use a framework for treating late talking toddlers during a fun activity for toddlers - water play! Here's the written summary from last week's show if this framework is new for you or scroll back and listen to show #344!  We'll also begin with a question from a mom that's fantastic - what to do when your child isnt' getting along with his therapist! 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she discussed the framework she uses to design treatment plans for toddlers with speech-language delays.

Join pediatric speech-language Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com as she discusses lessons she learned thsi week volunteering in a new summer program with toddlers. Read the summary here:

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she talks with SLP Kendra about the progress a busy 2 year old on her caseload. Originally, the little girl demonstrated escape/avoidance behaviors even when she seemed to like an activity. (Listen to show #329.) After some adjustments to the approach and goals, she began to participate for longer periods and started to use a few words (Listen to show #334). Today we're seeing what other changes have occurred since our last update! 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com with ABA therapist Jessica to discuss a simple method for analyzing a child's behaviors that don't seem to make sense. Read a summary of the show: 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she interviews Floortime and autism specialist Dr. Jennie Trocchio. We'll be discussing the research to support Floortime (It IS evidence-based!!) and a quick review of the levels of DIR/Floortime and this approach vs. other treatment protocols. Read the summary here: 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she shares 5 important tips to use when helping toddlers learn to understand and use language. Read the full summary here.

Are you frustrated with a toddler's lack of progress in speech therapy? Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she reviews the reasons a toddler may be stalled. Read the summary here.

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S, CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com as she answers this question from an SLP:I feel like I often go through the steps of working on the 11 prelinguistic skills that you talk about in "let's talk about talking."  The kiddos build up a lot of their play skills and start to use signs and eventually get to single words.  Then, I feel like we plateau.  I have one little girl, specifically, who I'm feeling this way with.  She will be 2 in March.  She was a preemie and was getting OT services before she was transferred to my caseload.  She was a late walker and had some low muscle tone, which the OT addressed and continues to work on.  I was offering consultation services and the OT (who is fabulous) and the Mom (who is very good with follow through) worked on her play skills, imitation, social routines, songs, etc.  She has started using signs and single words.  Mom reports that she uses at least 100 single words spontaneously, but she's not yet combining words into two word phrases.  I've heard her use different nouns, verbs and some adjectives so I know she has a varied vocabulary.  But she won't attempt to imitate a two word phrase, yet she readily imitates single words.  Am I expecting too much too fast?  I feel like she has enough of the necessary skills to combine words, but she just isn't doing it yet.  Listen for my explanation and tips! Read the written summary here at my website.

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she and her guest discuss a common question among pediatric SLPs... should I try oral alerting activities with this kid or not? Read our email conversations and then listen as we "think out loud" for this little guy! Here's the written summary...

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com as she follows up with an SLP from show #329. She's working with a little girl who runs away anytime she or her mom try to join her in play - even when it's something she likes. There have been positive changes in only a month! Listen to see what recommendations from the first show have made the difference! Read the summary here:

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com as she follows up with an SLP from show #325 about how the ideas they discussed on that show worked for him! We also discussed another child who is using around 200 words, but only to label familiar items and other nonfunctional words like shapes, colors, letters, and numbers. What's the next short-term goal for kids like that? How can she move him toward using those words to communicate? Listen to find out!