Not Just Words, Mobile SLP

01/16/2026

I never rush connection.
I never rush regulation.
And I never rush a child before they feel safe enough to communicate.

Because real progress doesn’t come from pushing words out. It comes from slowing down enough to notice what a child is telling us with their body, their play, and their emotions first.

Here, therapy is child-led and relationship-based. We meet kids where they are, use play that feels natural, and focus on regulation before expectation. That’s how communication actually sticks and carries over into everyday life.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your child needs more time, not more pressure, this is exactly the kind of work I do.

Does this approach sound like what your child needs right now?
Send me a message and let’s talk about it. 💛

01/15/2026

Are you interested in learning more about disability etiquette? Join Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities on January 22 for an engaging webinar focused on fostering respectful and inclusive interactions with people with disabilities—both in the workplace and when serving visitors and guests.

This session will:
✅ Enhance your understanding of disability awareness and etiquette
✅ Provide practical communication strategies
✅ Offer actionable tips for creating accessible, welcoming environments for all

🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/4bttAt1

01/15/2026

🫶🏼

nonverbal doesn’t mean non-feeling.

it doesn’t mean they don’t understand.
it doesn’t mean they don’t have opinions, preferences, humor, or big emotions.

it just means their voice sounds different.

we learn to listen with our hearts.
with the way their body tenses when something hurts.
with the way their eyes light up when they’re excited.
with the tiny sounds, the gestures, the looks that say more than words ever could.

we learn their language slowly, patiently, sometimes through tears.
we learn what that cry means versus this one.
we learn what calm looks like. what overwhelmed looks like. what joy looks like.

and the truth is, they are always communicating.
we just become fluent in a language most people never have to learn.

to the moms translating the world for their child, and their child for the world..
you are their voice, and you’re doing it beautifully.

nonverbal doesn’t mean silent.
it means deeply heard by the ones who love them most. it means understood by a mother who listens with her whole heart.
🤍

01/14/2026

Before kids can chew and swallow confidently, their mouth needs practice.
And that practice often starts without eating.

Food exploration helps kids:
🍓 Learn textures, smells, and temperatures
👄 Build oral strength and coordination
🧠 Feel safe enough to try new foods later

When we rush bites or skip this stage, kids can become more resistant, not less. That’s why in feeding and speech therapy, I focus on exposure before expectation. Play first. Pressure last.

If your child isn’t eating it yet but is willing to touch or explore it, that’s real progress.

👉 Save this post for your next “they didn’t eat anything” moment.

01/12/2026

One thing I love about working with homeschool families is how much learning already happens naturally throughout the day. And honestly? Some of the best language-building moments don’t look like “school” at all.

This is actually how we approach therapy at Not Just Words, too. We support communication through real routines, real play, and real life, not worksheets at a table.

And for my homeschool families in Ohio, this is important to know:
Speech therapy services can be fully covered for homeschooled students through the Jon Peterson or Autism Scholarship. That means your child can receive individualized, play-based speech therapy in their natural environment at no cost to you.

If you’ve ever thought, “I feel like my child could use extra support, but I don’t know where to start,” this might be your sign to ask the question.

Curious if your homeschooler might qualify or if our approach would be a good fit for your family? Send me a message or reach out for a complimentary consult. 💬

What part of your homeschool day feels hardest when it comes to communication right now?

01/10/2026

01/08/2026

One thing parents tell me all the time is that their child shuts down when speech starts to feel like pressure.

That’s why I don’t teach sounds at a table with drills.
I teach them through play.

Cars become sound practice.
Games turn into repetition.
Movement helps the body feel ready to talk.

When kids feel regulated and connected, their speech comes more easily. That’s where real progress happens.

If articulation has felt like a battle at home, send me a message and let’s talk about a different way to support your child 💛

01/07/2026

When a child gets stuck repeating a word or sound, the instinct is often to correct or rush them.
But what usually helps more is slowing things down and giving them a gentle model instead.

Try this:
💬 Repeat the word back calmly
💬 Add one extra word
💬 Keep the moment relaxed and connected

It takes pressure off and shows their brain an easier path forward.

I use this approach all the time in therapy because communication grows best when kids feel safe, not rushed.

What does your child usually do when they get stuck mid-word or mid-sentence?

01/06/2026

One thing I love about working with homeschool families is this: language is already happening all day long.

It shows up while you’re cooking lunch, building with blocks, reading together, or talking through a tough moment. Those real-life moments are where communication grows best, not during forced drills.

That’s exactly how I work at Not Just Words. I step into your child’s natural routines and help turn everyday moments into meaningful communication support.

And for many Ohio homeschool families, this support can be fully covered through state scholarships.

Send me a message if you want to see whether your homeschooler qualifies for free speech therapy.

01/01/2026

Staying on topic is not about telling them to slow down or pay attention harder. It is about helping their brain organize ideas in a way that feels doable.

In sessions, I focus on things like:
💬 learning how to pause and come back to a thought
🎲 practicing conversation through play instead of pressure
🧠 supporting regulation first, so their body is ready to communicate

When kids feel regulated and understood, conversations start to flow more naturally. That is where real social communication grows.

If this sounds like your child, message me, and we can talk about how I can support this in therapy.

Message me

12/30/2025

One thing I see a lot is kids who know exactly what they want to say, but their voice just fades out halfway through.

That is usually not a motivation issue. It is breath support.

Strong speech needs steady air. Not pushing. Not yelling. Just learning how to use the body to support the voice.

A few things I focus on in sessions:
🌬 blowing bubbles or pinwheels to build steady airflow
🧸 talking during movement and play instead of sitting still
🎶 stretching sounds while breathing out slowly

When breathing feels organized, speech sounds clearer, and volume feels easier. That is why I never separate speech from the body. It all works together.

Save this post if your child struggles with volume or sounds breathy when they talk.

12/29/2025

One thing I notice again and again is how much easier communication can be when a child feels truly safe. For a lot of neurodivergent kids, homeschooling creates that space. Fewer transitions. Less pressure. More room to follow their own rhythm.

When therapy is child-led and happens right inside that environment, kids often show us more. More connection. More attempts. More trust. That is where real communication starts to grow.

This is exactly how I work at Not Just Words. And for many Ohio homeschool families, this support is fully covered through state scholarships.
If you homeschool and want to know if your child qualifies for free speech therapy, send me a message, and I will walk you through it.