Competent Communicators LLC

02/04/2026

Your toddler is hitting new milestones, and you want to choose the best toys to help their speech and language development, but Ah! so many options!

How do you choose the best ones?

Ask yourself these questions:

📍 Does the toy do the talking for them?

If a toy has batteries and talks, sings, or flashes, it often takes over the “work” of the play. We love toys that require the child to make the “vroom,” “choo-choo,” or “animal sounds.” The more the toy does, the less the child has to do!

📍 Can it be used in more than one way?

Open-ended toys like blocks, silk scarves, or magnetic tiles are speech therapy gold. A block can be a phone, a cookie, or a car. This type of play builds symbolic thinking, which is a massive stepping stone for language.

Most importantly, is your child interested in the toy? Give it some time before giving up on a toy, but play should be fun for the child, and lean into their interests.

📍 Which toy is a household favorite in your home right now? Let us know in the comments! 👇

📍 Looking for an early intervention evaluation in Rhode Island? Click the link in our bio to see how we can support your family here in East Providence!

01/30/2026

When it’s cold in Providence and you’re running out of things to do, books provide a nice escape!

These tips are great to get your kiddo excited about reading and using language! Whether it’s labeling images, using gestalt scripts, or using core AAC all language users can benefit from books that will provide the language for what they are experiencing!

Or, you could always choose a different book to help you escape to a tropical island 🏝️😄

01/24/2026

Here’s one for the toddler mamas!

The toddler stage is one of testing, and protesting and it’s not always easy. But know this is a crucial time where connection is imperative. So even if you’ve picked that chicken nugget your toddler keeps throwing on the floor for the 5th time today, know you patience is planting a seed. Those seeds continue to grow and form a deep connection. That connection becomes communication whether it be through words or, gestures which is on e of the most important skills a child can develop.

Take a deep breath mama, you’re navigating it all at once with grace. You’re doing an incredible job ✨

❤️

Alt text: An video if a boat passing a lighthouse during the day in Rhode Island. There is a text overlay that reads “send this to a toddler mom who is doing a good job”

01/21/2026

Does my child need an AAC evaluation?

If your child has been in Speech Therapy for a while, but still struggling to meaningfully connect and communicate, they may benefit from an AAC evaluation.

At Competent Communicators, we provide AAC evaluations which is the first step toward helping these children connect and be heard!

If you would like more information on AAC evaluations, please visit our website in the bio.

01/15/2026

01/13/2026

Just a reminder, we’re taking a short pause this week ✨
Competent Communicators will reopen next week. See you soon!

01/11/2026

Slightly ominous 😳😅

01/09/2026

We love hearing when our families are happy and excited about their child’s progress! Our team of SLPs are dedicated to creating a play-loving environment, and to meeting the needs of the families we support!

01/07/2026

If we aren’t covered in stickers, we’re covered in bubble soap! But hey, comes with the territory, and these are great teaching moments!

The truth is, therapy is never perfect! Child-led therapy means there is bound to be a mess or two…or three. What’s most important is the child is engaged, learning and having fun! That’s where language and connection thrives.

Follow us for more

If you are in RI, and looking for a speech therapy clinic for your child, please visit our website!

01/02/2026

2026 is all about connection over performance! ✨

It’s time to leave the pop quizzes behind. In our East Providence clinic, we are prioritizing the joy of communication and meeting every child exactly where they are.

Here is what is IN for 2026:

📍 Modeling language naturally while we play
📍 Letting the child lead the session (marble runs are a clinic favorite!)
📍 Honoring every script and echolalic phrase as a meaningful attempt to connect

When we stop testing and start connecting, we create space for true communication to flourish. This neurodiversity affirming approach is at the heart of everything we do at Competent Communicators. 🌈

Are you a Rhode Island family looking for a speech therapy home that celebrates your child’s unique voice? We would love to support you!

🔗 Click the link in our bio for more information!