First Ideas for Speech and Feeding

03/02/2026

If your child is struggling to make progress in feeding therapy, consider the following...
➡️would you eat if you weren't having fun?
➡️would you eat if your sensory systems weren't understood?
➡️would you WANT to eat if your muscles weren't strong enough to chew properly?
➡️would you want to eat if you didn't trust your therapist?

And then, consider talking to a feeding therapist trained to understand how little kids are motivated to eat.

Someone trained in trauma-informed, responsive feeding therapy strategies.

Someone who can teach YOU how to 'tip-toe' into changing your child's preferences, on their timeline.

If this sounds like something you need, I'm here to help.
www.firstideasspeechandfeeding.com

01/20/2026

Does anyone remember Jeff Foxworthy??

If mealtimes are stressful because you can't "get your kid to eat"...
You might need First Ideas for Speech and Feeding

If your baby isn't interested in moving to solid foods...
You might need First Ideas...

If your little one isn't gaining new words regularly and isn't interested in imitating you...
You might need First Ideas...

I have 2 openings for new families this month! Schedule a Discovery Call to get started!

First Ideas for Pediatric Speech and Feeding provides speech therapy and feeding therapy in Lake Norman area of NC, including Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman and Salisbury

12/29/2025

Here's the face of First Ideas for Speech and Feeding. It's me...Julie...owner and SLP/feeding specialist. 🙋‍♀️

I am here to give you the tools to help your child with feeding or early communication concerns.

I will come to your home, where your child will be comfortable and work with YOU, giving you the tools to have happy mealtimes 🍽️ and confident communicators 🗣️.

Comment FIRST IDEAS SPEECH to get 3 helpful tips to get your toddler more confident or FIRST IDEAS FEEDING to get 3 helpful tips for peaceful mealtimes.

Or, go directly to www.firstideasspeechandfeeding.com to schedule a time to chat about your concerns.

11/10/2025

The holidays are approaching with lots of family gatherings...and for parents of children with speech or feeding concerns, this can bring about stress and conflicting thoughts and opinions from well meaning relatives. Can you relate?

Let me know how I can help support you during this wonderful and challenging time of year...hyping parents up is my super power!

From parent coaching, early intervention of language strategies or feeding therapy, First Ideas can help bring you into the holiday season with confidence and calm (but I can't cook your turkey!)

Schedule your Discovery Call today! www.firstideasspeechandfeeding.com

11/03/2025

If your toddler was delayed in speaking their first 50 words, would this have been something you wished your pediatrician had told you about?

A way to be PRO-active instead of being RE-active?? Something YOU could do immediately!

Then go ahead and share it with your other mommy friends in case they are feeling the same way you are! They will thank you for it, I promise!!

11/02/2025

It's been a busy month! How about you?

And in the middle of all this, First Ideas has doubled!! 👏👏

We've gotten some new feeding therapy patients, working on improving chewing skills, which will help them feel more competent to expand their diets. But we are busy exploring new ways to add flavors and textures, as well as trying new ways to think about their current foods (can you say smashing crackers?🤣).

We've gotten 2 new Tiny Talkers, too. Little ones learning their first words and using them effectively instead of whining!

Parents are learning how to share control of mealtimes, how decreasing pressure actually increases desire to be in the mealtime environment (which eventually has a cascading effect on eating), and how to inspire curiosity authenticly.

Both groups are learning how to shift from "How can I make my child to eat/ talk?" to "What do I need to do to motivate and encourage them?"

Oh, and I can't forget my mentee, who has learned so much in a few months and is currently redesigning her feeding evaluation form to better align with her knowledge base!

I love what I get to do!

10/27/2025

Just popping on again to share this amazing training I took 2 years ago! Smart and comprehensive, and thoroughly recommend it to SLP's and feeding specialists to complete. Chrysalis Orofacial

10/27/2025

First Ideas is here for your toddler/preschool speech or feeding concerns!

Whether it's early intervention language or speech therapy, responsive, trauma informed feeding therapy or my Tiny Talkers program, First Ideas can give you and your child engaging and child directed care, with training and coaching for YOU every step of the way!!
Call or message... it's easy to get started, no doctor referral needed!
www.firstideasspeechandfeeding.com

10/13/2025

Here's another "first" for First Ideas! I have a vendor booth/ tent at The DeliFest 🥪 this Sunday, October 19th! I'm so happy to support this event for the Local Jewish Federation and the food is delish!!

It's also a chance to meet in person, find out about how my approach to speech and feeding therapy might be just the thing you've looking for! You will learn about My Success Triangle, Responsive Feeding Therapy, and how parents are involved from the beginning!
Www.firstideasspeechandfeeding.com

I'll have some fun things for the kids to do, and some chairs to sit and chat!😌

Come see me and ask me anything! 🧡💜

10/05/2025

This is such an easy way to incorporate the language strategies I use with my kids in therapy in your home!
It's a 4 week program, stuffed FULL of all my best tips and activities for YOU to use!
It's a cost effective way to get a little language boost for your late talker!
For more information and to schedule your Discovery Call, go to www.firstideasspeechandfeeding.com today!

09/29/2025

Ya know how speech therapist 'influencers' say "pause and wait" to get your little one to talk?? How has that worked for you...
(this is an amazing strategy, just hear me out)

As in most things in life, there is nuance, or the little details, that make that strategy work for YOUR child!

You can't make a blanket statement like that without considering the temperament or personality of your child!!

This is why you need a speech therapist who can coach YOU to make that amazing strategy work for YOU...just sayin'...

Reach out if you want someone who can help YOU help your child be a happy, little talker!! First Ideas for Speech and Feeding
PS: This strategy works for feeding therapy too.
www.firstideasspeechandfeeding.com

08/25/2025

I recently listened to a presentation by the great Marsha Dunn Klein from

She is always so good about putting a spin on perspective we hold true.

Maybe...could we...
Think about the Why behind a food refusal instead of interpreting it as rejection or defiance. What does that even look like?

Understanding our child comes first.

What are their motor capabilities?
What are their sensory needs (at that moment in time)
Are they calm and ready to switch to a mealtime? (or any new activity)
Do they feel in control... of what they get to eat... how it's offered... the environment?

All these things can or might impact their readiness for a meal, their willingness to participate, and how much they participate.

It starts with us, their caregivers, to create a successful atmosphere for them.

So WE have to feel and know how to support them.

We can do it. I can help. 💜🧡