Not Just Words, Mobile SLP

11/28/2025

I see this all the time with the kids I work with… they want to tell you about their day, but getting the pieces in the right order can feel really overwhelming.

Storytelling is more than remembering what happened. It’s organizing thoughts, finding words, understanding what comes first and next… and making it all make sense to someone else. That’s a big load for little brains. 🧠

In therapy, we slow it down and make it easier. We use play, visuals, and familiar routines to help kids retell moments in a way that feels doable. Sometimes that looks like acting out their school day with toys, or creating tiny “mini stories” based on something they loved.

And because I use a neuroaffirming, sensory-based approach, we always start with connection and regulation. Kids share more when they feel safe and understood.

If your child shuts down or says “I forgot” when you ask about their day, you’re not alone in that. It’s something we can support together, and it’s one of my favorite skills to help kids grow into.

Does your child enjoy talking about their day, or do they avoid it? I’d love to hear what you’re noticing. 🌿

11/26/2025

That first word is magical… but the next step matters just as much. 💛
Moving from single words to little phrases is where real communication starts to bloom.

When your child goes from “milk” to “want milk,” they’re beginning to:
🧠 Connect ideas
💬 Build early grammar
🤝 Share more specific wants and thoughts

If your toddler is still using single words, that’s okay; sometimes, they just need more modeling in the moment.

Try this:
✨ Child says “milk” → you say “want milk.”
✨ Child says “dog” → you say “big dog.”

Little expansions like these help them learn how words work together, without pressure or drills. That’s exactly what we focus on here, supporting kids through natural, child-led moments that build real communication confidence.

Is your toddler combining words yet, or sticking with single words for now? I’d love to hear what you’re noticing. 💛

11/24/2025

Sometimes speech challenges aren’t just about the words themselves; they can start with what’s happening underneath them.

If the muscles in your child’s mouth, lips, or tongue are weak, talking and eating can both feel like hard work. You might notice things like:
🍎 Trouble chewing or swallowing certain foods
💬 Unclear speech
🫶 Getting tired or frustrated when talking

Here, we look beyond words. Through playful, child-led oral motor activities, we help strengthen the muscles that make speech and mealtimes easier, so communication feels natural, not forced. 🌿

✨ Here’s a little secret: when therapy feels like play, kids make the biggest progress.

Have you noticed your child getting tired or frustrated when speaking or eating? Tell me what you’ve seen below, and let’s talk about it. 💛

11/19/2025

It’s completely normal to wonder if your child might need extra support with speech or language.
Parents often tell me, I just had a feeling something was off, but I wasn’t sure if it was time to get help.

Here’s the thing: early support isn’t just about “fixing” sounds or words, it’s about helping your child communicate successfully in a way that feels natural and confident.

In speech and language therapy, we look at so much more than talking. We explore how your child:
🌈 Understands and processes what’s being said
🧠 Plans and coordinates the movements needed for speech
💬 Uses gestures, play, and connection to share meaning
💛 Regulates emotions and feels safe enough to communicate

Here, therapy is child-led, play-based, and rooted in connection. We work within your child’s natural routines and environments to make communication feel achievable, not forced.

If you’re noticing your child is struggling to express themselves, or communication feels like a daily challenge, trust that gut feeling, it’s okay to ask questions and explore options.

We’re here to walk beside you and your child, one word, sound, and smile at a time. 🌿

Do any of these signs sound familiar for your little one?

11/18/2025

11/17/2025

If there’s one thing I love seeing in my sessions, it’s when a child starts realizing their voice matters. 💛

For neurodivergent kids, learning to self-advocate, to express what they need, want, or prefer, can be life-changing. But here’s the truth: self-advocacy doesn’t just “appear.” It’s something we teach and nurture over time, through trust, modeling, and everyday moments.

So what does this actually look like in real life?

✨ It’s a child saying, I need a break instead of shutting down.
✨ It’s them learning to choose between yes, no, or not right now.
✨ It’s helping them identify what feels good, what doesn’t, and giving them permission to express it.

In our sessions at Not Just Words, we don’t just work on speech and language skills. We help kids understand their bodies, emotions, and boundaries, because real communication includes all of those things.

When we teach a child how to self-advocate, we’re teaching them that their feelings and needs deserve to be heard. And that’s where true confidence begins. 🌈

Here’s something you can start doing at home:
👉 Model self-advocacy out loud.
Try saying things like, I’m feeling overwhelmed, I need a break, or, I don’t like loud sounds, let’s turn it down.
When kids see you expressing your needs calmly and clearly, they learn it’s safe for them to do the same.

It’s not about fixing behavior. It’s about building communication that honors who they are.

Have you noticed moments where your child tries to express what they need, verbally or nonverbally? How do you support those moments? 🌿

11/14/2025

That means simply talking about what you or your child is doing in the moment, without asking a ton of questions or expecting a response.

Think of it like being the sports commentator for your child’s life:
🧺 You’re putting blocks in the basket!
🍎 I’m slicing the apple. Red apple, crunchy apple.
🚗 The car is going up the ramp, ready, set, go!

This kind of language modeling helps your child make connections between words and actions. It takes the pressure off them to perform and instead lets them absorb rich, meaningful language in real time.

✨ A little secret? It’s not about fancy toys or flashcards, it’s about connection. The more language your child hears in their daily routines, the more words their brain soaks up.

Here, we build on strategies just like this, because language starts in the moments that feel natural, not forced.

And here’s something many families don’t realize:
🎓 Our speech therapy services are free for homeschooled students through the Jon Peterson and Autism Scholarships (via the Ohio Department of Education).

That means your child can receive individualized, evidence-based therapy in your home learning environment, at no cost to you.

We’re happy to help you navigate the process if you’re curious about applying or just want to know if your child could benefit from support.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. 🌿
Have you tried narrating your child’s day before? What kinds of words do they love hearing most right now?

11/12/2025

As parents, it’s easy to fall into the no-cycle.
No running. No yelling. No hitting.
We’ve all been there, especially when we’re juggling a hundred things at once.

But here’s the thing: no only tells a child what not to do. It doesn’t give their brain a roadmap for what to do instead.

When we model calm, specific language, like walk slowly, use gentle hands, or take a deep breath, we’re helping their brain connect the dots between action and self-regulation.

Here, this idea guides everything we do. Whether it’s through speech therapy, occupational therapy, or parent coaching, we focus on regulation before expectation. We know that connection and co-regulation open the door to learning, communication, and growth.

So next time your child’s big emotions show up, try this: pause, breathe, and show them the how, not just the don’t. 🌿

Do you notice your child responding differently when you model calm directions instead of saying no?

11/10/2025

Have you ever noticed your child say dat instead of that, or fink instead of think?
You’re not alone; this is one of the most common speech sounds kids have trouble with!

The TH sound seems simple, but it’s actually one of the trickiest to master. Here’s why:
- It requires the tongue to move between the teeth, a position that doesn’t happen naturally in most other sounds.
- It also takes strong coordination between the tongue, airflow, and voice.
For some kids, especially those with motor planning challenges or sensory sensitivities in their mouth, that coordination takes time (and practice) to come together.

When I work on this in therapy, we keep it light and playful:
- We use mirrors so kids can see what their tongue is doing.
- We break the sound down into small, achievable steps.
- We use games, visuals, and movement to make it stick, because when it feels fun, learning lasts.

It’s not just about producing a sound; it’s about helping your child feel successful while building confidence in how their mouth moves and their voice is heard.

Here, we focus on meeting each child where they are and supporting their communication in ways that feel safe and motivating. It’s all about connection before correction.

If your child struggles with TH or other tricky sounds, don’t stress; it’s all part of their unique speech journey. With patience, support, and the right strategies, clarity will come.

What sound does your child find hardest right now? I’d love to hear what you’ve noticed in their speech!

11/10/2025

Here’s what might be going on:
💬 They may have the word stored, but their brain needs more time to access it in new situations.
⚙️ Anxiety, sensory overload, or unfamiliar environments can shut down speech access.
🌈 They might communicate beautifully through gestures, AAC, or play, because that feels safer in the moment.

We don’t push words out; we invite them in.
That means focusing on regulation before expectation, connection before correction. Through child-led, sensory-informed play, we help kids find their voice on their own timeline, in the spaces where they feel most themselves.

💡 If you homeschool in Ohio, you might not know this: Speech therapy can actually be free through the Jon Peterson or Autism Scholarships. These programs were designed to help families access the care and support their children deserve, right from home.

We’d love to help you navigate the process and find out what fits your family best.
💛 Send a message to learn more about how we can support your child’s communication journey in the environment where they thrive most.

11/07/2025

Speech therapy is so much more than practicing words.
Here, it’s about helping your child feel safe, confident, and understood, wherever they are.

We work in your child’s natural environment (home, daycare, community), using play and everyday moments to build communication skills that stick.

Here’s what that looks like:
✨ Language therapy that happens during real play, not worksheets.
💬 Parent coaching so you feel empowered to support communication all day long.
😌 Sensory-informed sessions that focus on regulation before expectation.
💛 Child-led interaction where connection drives growth.

Because your child’s voice deserves to be heard, not rushed, not pressured, but supported with care.

If this approach feels like the right fit for your family, we’d love to connect.
📩 Send us a message to schedule a complimentary consultation and see how our holistic, mobile therapy model could support your child’s journey.

11/05/2025

Have you ever noticed your child can say short words just fine, but longer ones like computer or banana seem to get jumbled?

You’re not imagining it! Some words are simply harder for kids to say because of how their brain and mouth have to work together to organize multiple sounds in sequence.

Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:
🧠 The brain plans the sound sequence (buh-nan-uh).
👄 The mouth has to move through each sound quickly and smoothly.
⚙️ Then the two systems have to work in sync, like gears in motion.

For kids with motor planning or sequencing challenges, that gear system can take extra time to coordinate. They might drop a sound (nana), swap one (pasketti), or simplify it (puter). It’s not that they don’t know the word; it’s that their brain and muscles are still figuring out how to make it all line up.

In therapy, we break big words into smaller, manageable chunks and use visuals, rhythm, and play to help those speech patterns stick. Bit by bit, clarity builds. Confidence follows.

We focus on connection and consistency before correction. Because progress comes from helping kids feel capable, not from rushing the process.

If your child often skips or switches sounds in longer words, it might be more than just a cute phase. Let’s talk about what’s really going on and how we can support them in finding their clear, confident voice. 🌿

Send a message if you’d like to chat about how therapy might help your child find their rhythm with speech.