Beyond Speech Therapy Specialists

Beyond Speech Therapy Specialists Beyond Speech offers Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, Social work, and Nutrition services!

Beyond Speech Therapy Specialists offers private Speech-Language Therapy within the natural environment. Our therapists are fully licensed and credentialed in the state of Illinois and with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. We specialize in serving children and their families ages birth - school age within the south west suburbs of Chicago.

02/28/2026

Parenting a neurodiverse kiddo can feel overwhelming. 😣

When ADHD and anxiety are part of the picture, it can be complex.

ADHD and anxiety often overlap, which makes it hard to untangle what’s driving behaviors and emotions. Many parents are left wondering how to best support their kiddo’s emotions while also managing day-to-day symptoms.

You’re NOT alone! Many of us parents are experiencing similar struggles.
Check out our April 2024 blog post for some ideas and tips. Here’s what we discuss:
✨ The connection between ADHD and anxiety
✨ Common challenges families face
✨ Practical ideas for supporting at home

Check out our website to read the full blog post from April 2024 and learn how you can better support your neurodivergent child. 💙

02/25/2026

🗣️✨ Word Wednesday: Gestalt Language Processing (GLP)

GLP is a form of language development where kids learn language in chunks, not single words 🧩

We might see this in our neurodivergent kiddos. Instead of building one word at a time, they might say full phrases like:
🎬 “Let’s get out of here!”
🥛 “I want milk please!”

These aren’t “just echolalia,” they are meaningful communication 💛 Acknowledge and honor your kiddo’s communication.

Over time, those chunks break down and become flexible, self-generated language.🌈

02/23/2026

❓What’s Your Monday Mood❓

This week, let’s focus on progress, not perfection. 📈

✔️Celebrate the small wins, big efforts, and brave moments.

✔️Strive to be regulated this week rather than perfect.

Enjoy the last week of February. We can do it! 💪

02/23/2026

❄️ Indoor Winter Olympics ❄️

No snow? No problem! Bring the winter fun inside with simple PT and OT inspired games using things you already have at home!

🏅 Cotton Ball/Marshmallow Blizzard Race: Use straws to move cotton balls or marshmallows from one plate to another. Great for breath control and coordination.

🏅 Pillow Snowdrift Jumps
Jump, step, or crawl over pillow “snowdrifts” to work on balance, motor planning, and lower body strength.

🏅 Snowball Scoop & Toss
Pick up cotton balls with spoons, tongs, or hands and toss them into a target. Perfect for fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

🏅 Penguin Waddle Relay
Place a pillow between the knees and waddle across the room. Targets balance and core engagement!

🏅Tower Building: Use plastic cups to build the biggest Olympic tower! Targets hand-eye coordination and patience.

Movement + play = fun skill building! Go Team USA! 🇺🇸

🌤️Park Weather is Here🌤️Get out to a local park this week, the weather in the Chicago area is giving early park days! Pa...
02/19/2026

🌤️Park Weather is Here🌤️

Get out to a local park this week, the weather in the Chicago area is giving early park days!

Park days = powerful play 🌳

Getting outside this week is a perfect way to build gross motor skills through fun movement! Climbing, running, swinging, balancing, and jumping help our kiddos develop strength, coordination, body awareness, and confidence. 💪

Try having your kiddos:
✔ Climb playground equipment
✔ Race to a tree and back
✔ Balance on curbs or logs
✔ Jump off low steps
✔ Play follow-the-leader with big movements

Movement + fresh air + play = learning and development in action 💪

02/16/2026

Is it a speech delay? 🤔

This is one of the most common questions families ask about their kiddos! So, you’re not alone if you’re wondering, too. Understanding the difference between a true speech delay vs. being a late talker can help parents know what to look for and when to seek out support from an SLP.

Learn the signs and what to look for in our new blog. 💬
Visit beyondspeech.co to read more!

02/15/2026

💛 Kindness Week = simple SEL wins!

Try these easy activities with your kiddos to help them show their kindness to others:

✨ Kindness challenge jar
💬 Compliment circle
💌 Write kind notes or make a homemade craft for a loved one
🎭 Role-play kind choices
🌈 Build a kindness chain
🎲 Play a game with a friend or sibling

Small acts of kindness make a big impact on others. 💛

02/11/2026

Word Wednesday: Interoception 💡

Interoception is our ability to notice what’s happening inside our bodies.

❤️ Hungry
💧 Thirsty
😰 Anxious
😴 Tired

Some kids have difficulty “reading” these internal body signals. When that happens, it can look like meltdowns, shutdowns, or unexpected behaviors.

The good news? Body awareness can be taught — just like reading.

We can model it throughout the day by labeling our own experiences:

➡️ “I’m hungry. I’m going to get a snack.”
➡️ “I’m feeling nervous. I’m going to take a break.”
➡️ “I’m tired. I’m going to lie down.”

If your child has trouble identifying how they feel, offer choices using visuals or simple language. You can also connect with your speech-language pathologist or social worker for additional support.

02/10/2026

Here are some tips for teeth brushing for our kiddos with sensory sensitivities:

✨ Start slow — brushing near the mouth counts before brushing in the mouth

🪥 Try different toothbrushes (soft bristles, silicone, electric = less work!)

🍓 Let kids choose the flavor (or go flavor-free!)

🎵 Pair brushing with music, a timer, or a visual schedule

🤍 Use deep pressure, hugs, or heavy work before brushing to help regulate

👏 Praise their effort, not perfection!

Sensory differences are real, and dental care can still be successful with the right supports 💙

02/08/2026

Valentine’s Language ❤️

Valentine-making is a fun way to target following directions & prepositions!

🧩 Following Directions
• Start with 1-step → build to 2–3 steps
• Add details: “Glue the small red heart.”

📍 Prepositions
Practice using words like:
on, under, inside, above, next to
~Put the sticker on the card
~Write your name under the heart

💡 SLP tip: Have your child repeat directions or tell you the directions!

Crafting + language = 💕

02/05/2026

❄️Heart-Healthy Movement: The Winter Edition ❄️

February is American Heart Month, and we’re moving the gross motor games outdoors! Snow is the ultimate natural obstacle course for a stronger heart.
Try these 4 snowy ways to get your pulse racing:

❄️High-Knee Follow the Leader: Lead a trail through deep snow using “giant steps.” It’s high-intensity cardio that builds leg strength and endurance!

❄️Snowball Target Toss: Squat, scoop, and throw! The full-body motion of aiming at targets gets the blood flowing and improves coordination.
❄️Tundra Treasure Hunt: Hide objects in the snow and “gallop” or “side-shuffle” to find them. It’s a cardiovascular workout that moves the body in every direction.
❄️The Sled Pull: Take turns pulling a sled across a flat surface. The added resistance provides a massive heart-health boost compared to a standard walk.

🥶 The Cold Hard Fact: Navigating snow requires more effort than pavement, giving your heart a “bonus” workout with every step! 👟❄️

02/03/2026

🛼Check out this great opportunity from Tinley Park Roller Rink!🛼

This is a great way to try something new with a little less stress! Contact the roller rink for more information! 📲

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Southwest Suburbs Of
Chicago, IL

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

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