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.

04/01/2026

Parenting a child with ADHD can come with unique challenges, especially when anxiety is part of the picture.

These two often go hand-in-hand, leaving families feeling overwhelmed as they navigate big emotions, attention difficulties, and overlapping symptoms.

At Beyond Speech Therapy Specialists, we understand the questions, frustrations, and daily wins that come with supporting a neurodivergent child. You’re not alone, and it doesn’t have to feel as overwhelming.

In our April 2024 blog post, we dove into the connection between ADHD and anxiety and sharing ways to better support your child’s emotional well-being.

👉 Check out our website to read the full blog: beyondspeech.co

03/31/2026

What’s in my therapy bag? 🎒✨

As speech-language pathologists, we pack with intention. Everything supports communication through play!

Here are a few go-to favorites:

🧩 Melissa & Doug Nesting Blocks – great for building vocabulary (big/small, up/down), following directions, and problem-solving

🎤 Lakeshore Learning Microphone – adds excitement while encouraging expressive language and confidence

📚 Tactile Picture Books – engaging textures that support attention, vocabulary, and interactive learning

🖐️ Hand Puppet – perfect for imaginative play, turn-taking, and modeling language in a fun, low-pressure way

💡 Light-Up Sensory Toy – a motivating tool to capture attention, support regulation, and create opportunities for communication

Play-based therapy creates meaningful moments where communication grows 💬💛

03/29/2026

🌿Sunday Social-Emotional Moment🌿

Sundays are a great time to slow down, reset, and check in with your kiddo’s feelings before another week begins.

Try a simple “emotion check-in” today:
💬 “What made you happy this week?”
💬 “Was anything hard or frustrating?”
💬 “What are you looking forward to?”

These small conversations help kiddos:
✨ Build emotional awareness
✨ Feel heard and supported
✨ Develop confidence in expressing themselves

Ending the weekend with connection can set the tone for a smooth week ahead! 🌈

03/26/2026

🌸 Spring Break Fun (FREE + Outdoors!) 🌸

Looking for simple, screen-free ways to keep your kiddos busy this spring break? The southwest suburbs have so many FREE outdoor spots to explore! ☀️

🌿 Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
Hands-on exhibits + easy trails = perfect for curious kids!

🌼 Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens
Peaceful walking paths, gardens, and chances to spot wildlife 🐢

💧 Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
A family favorite for hiking, biking, and of course… the waterfall!

🌳 Your Local Parks
Don’t forget the hidden gems right in your neighborhood playgrounds, open fields, and trails are great for movement and imagination!

💡 Therapist Tip: Outdoor play supports sensory regulation, coordination, and emotional well-being!

🙋‍♀️Looking for some cheap or FREE indoor Spring Break activities??Here are some FREE or low-cost activities in the subu...
03/23/2026

🙋‍♀️Looking for some cheap or FREE indoor Spring Break activities??

Here are some FREE or low-cost activities in the suburban Chicago area for you to try this Spring Break:

✅Little Red Schoolhouse is completely free and has educational displays and live animals inside. If it’s warm enough, you can take a short hike outdoors, too!
✅Orland Park Sportsplex (open play times) has cheap drop-in rates for kids. Call ahead and see what’s available!
✅Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex (BRAC) has an indoor aquatic park with slides. There is a fee, but worth it for a “special” day.
✅Cabela’s (Hammond, IN) is a short drive but worth it! They have a giant aquarium with animal displays. It feels like an outing without spending money!
✅ There are many more options like your local library, open gym at gymnastics facilities, and your local rec center!

Enjoy Spring Break with your kiddos! Time will fly, so soak up these special moments while we can 💛

03/18/2026

✅ Word Wednesday: Bilateral Coordination

Bilateral coordination is when our kiddos use both sides of their body together in a coordinated way.

This is important for many tasks! Some include cutting, catching a ball, and getting dressed.

To work on bilateral coordination, play games that use both hands, like tossing and catching or stringing beads.

03/17/2026

☘️Happy St. Patrick’s Day from BSTS!☘️

Today is a great reminder that a little luck, and a lot of support, can go a long way in helping our kiddos grow, learn, and succeed! 💚

Here are a few “lucky” tips you can try at home:
✨ Follow your child’s lead during play to build a connection
✨ Keep routines predictable to support regulation
✨ Celebrate small wins, they add to big progress!
✨ Make movement fun with games, dancing, or outdoor play

Every child’s journey is unique, and we’re here to support you every step of the way 🌈

03/15/2026

🗞️NEW BLOG: SENSORY PROCESSING

Everyone experiences the world a little differently. 🌎✨

Some kiddos love loud birthday parties, while others don’t! Some refuse certain fabrics or clothing tags, while others don’t notice them at all. These differences often come down to sensory processing. This is how our brains receive and respond to information from our senses.

Understanding sensory processing can help us better support our children’s needs and recognize when we need to help. 💡

🧠 Want to learn more?
Check out this month’s blog to better understand sensory processing and how it can show up in our everyday life.

📱Visit beyondspeech.co to read the full post!

03/11/2026

✨ Word Wednesday: Coping Skills ✨

Coping skills are tools we teach kiddos to use when they have big feelings or in challenging situations.

Healthy coping strategies to introduce to your kiddos include:
🌬 Taking deep breaths
🎨 Drawing or coloring
🧸 Using a calming toy or hugging a stuffy
🚶Taking a break or asking for help

Teaching coping skills helps our kids manage emotions in positive ways. As their parents and therapists, we can also model healthy use of these tools!

03/10/2026

A winning dinner for picky eaters! Taco night is more than just delicious, it’s a great opportunity to help kiddos explore new foods!

Meals that offer variety and choice can make a big difference. Try setting up a simple taco bar with easy options like:
🥬 lettuce
🍅 tomatoes
🧀 cheese
🥑 avocado
🌽 corn
🥩 meat or beans
🌮 soft or crunchy shells
🍚 rice

When kiddos can see the foods, choose what goes on their plate, and build it themselves, they often feel more comfortable trying something new. Even touching, smelling, or putting a tiny bit on their taco is a step toward expanding their palate!

Keep it low pressure, fun, and interactive. Taco Tuesday might become a new food adventure in your house. 🌟

03/08/2026

☀️ Hello, extra sunshine!

Daylight Saving Time means sunnier evenings and more chances to move, play, and grow! 🌷🏃‍♀️

We can use that extra hour of sunshine to head outside with your kiddos and practice some therapy-friendly activities like:

✅Jumping and hopping on the sidewalk
✅Riding bikes or scooters ✅Playing catch or kicking a ball
✅Climbing and balancing at the playground

Outdoor play is a great way to build strength, coordination, balance, and sensory skills while enjoying the sunshine! 🌞

03/04/2026

🌈 Word Wednesday: Sensory Processing 🌈

Sensory processing is how kiddos’ brains receive, organize, and respond to information from the senses. Touch, sound, movement, taste, smell, and sight.

If your kiddo avoids certain clothes, covers their ears, crashes into everything, or constantly seeks movement… it’s not bad behavior! It may be their sensory system seeking out support. 💛

Our OTs help children understand their sensory needs and give parents practical tools to support regulation at home.

We work together to support the sensory system & we support learning, behavior, and confidence. ✨

Address

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Beyond Speech Therapy Specialists posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Beyond Speech Therapy Specialists:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram