Bear Tracks Pediatric Therapies

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Bear Tracks Pediatric Therapies

Bear Tracks Pediatric Therapies helps children through Speech-Language Therapy and Feeding Therapy.

10/29/2025

Halloween can bring up big feelings around sugar and control—but it’s also the perfect opportunity to teach kids balance. 🍭

When parents allow candy in a structured, pressure-free way, kids learn to:
🧠 trust their hunger and fullness cues
💬 develop a positive relationship with all foods
🤝 feel empowered, not restricted

As a feeding therapist, I always remind families—the goal isn’t to control intake, but to support confidence with food.

Every bite builds body trust. 💙

10/27/2025

AAC isn’t just a tool—it’s a bridge to connection. 💬

In this session, my client used his AAC device to make a meaningful request: “more graham crackers.”

Moments like this show how AAC empowers children to express their needs, make choices, and participate in daily routines—whether it’s snack time, playtime, or even trick-or-treating.

AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) supports children who are nonverbal or have limited speech by giving them a reliable way to communicate with intention and confidence. Over time, this builds language, engagement, and independence—one tap at a time.

Communication comes in many forms—and every voice deserves to be heard. 💙

10/24/2025

In speech therapy, play has purpose!
In this session, our goal was to strengthen focus, concentration, and memory—the foundation for stronger communication skills.

Through a simple object-to-picture matching activity, this child practiced immediate recall, which helps improve his ability to remember details, stay engaged, and participate in conversations.

Every correct match is more than a memory win—it’s a building block toward confidence, attention, and connection. 💬

🎯 Small steps today create big progress tomorrow.

10/22/2025

Halloween can be exciting, but also overwhelming for many children. As a pediatric speech and feeding therapist, I love reminding families and neighbors how small changes can make a big difference for kids with communication, sensory, or feeding challenges.

This Halloween, remember:
🎃 All communication is valid.
🍬 Not every child can enjoy candy.
🧡 Some may skip costumes—and that’s okay.
💬 Every child deserves to feel included, safe, and celebrated.

SAVE and SHARE to help make your neighborhood more inclusive this Halloween! 🐻

10/20/2025

October is the perfect season to sneak speech and language practice into everyday family fun! Whether you’re carving pumpkins, making applesauce, or crunching through a pile of leaves, there are endless opportunities to build vocabulary, practice sequencing, and encourage storytelling.

As a speech-language pathologist, I always remind families: learning doesn’t just happen in therapy—it happens in your kitchen, backyard, and even at the pumpkin patch.

These October activities give children the chance to practice real-life communication skills while making lasting memories.

Save this list and try one (or all!) of these activities with your child this week. Which one will you start with? 🎃🍎🍁

10/17/2025

Some children need extra support to safely eat and drink. 💧

This little one has a history of aspiration on thin liquids and reactive airway disease. After being placed on honey-thick liquids, his risk of aspiration greatly decreased — and he’s been working hard ever since!

Through feeding therapy, we’ve focused on strengthening his oral sensory-motor skills to support age-appropriate biting and chewing. Each session helps him expand his diet — from purees to meltable and very soft foods — while improving tongue movement and coordination.

His next step? A follow-up swallow study to ensure his airway protection continues to improve and his swallowing safety remains strong.

Feeding progress takes time, teamwork, and trust — but every milestone matters. 💙

10/15/2025

Why “Wait & See” Isn’t the Best Approach for Speech Delays

Too often, families are told their child will “catch up” in time. But the truth is—early speech and language support makes a world of difference. 💬

During the first 3 years, your child’s brain is growing at lightning speed, creating the foundation for communication skills. Waiting can mean missed milestones, added frustration, and fewer opportunities to build confidence.

As a speech-language pathologist, I encourage parents and caregivers to trust their instincts. If you notice delays or red flags, don’t wait—early intervention helps children thrive, both at home and in school. 🌱

👩‍👦 Your role matters, too. Consistent support at home + professional guidance = the strongest outcomes.

➡️ Swipe through to learn why acting early is key, and remember—you don’t need to wait for a referral to seek help.

10/10/2025

Parents often ask: “What can I do at home to help my child’s speech and language skills?” The good news is—you don’t need anything fancy. Everyday moments are the BEST opportunities for growth.

🗣️ Modeling language, expanding on words, using daily routines, reading with purpose, and play… these are small changes that add up to BIG progress.

When parents and caregivers use these strategies at home, children get the consistency and practice they need beyond the therapy room.

✨ Remember: speech therapy works best when it’s a team effort—and YOU are your child’s most important teacher.

👉 Save this post as a reminder & share with another parent who could use these tips.
💬 Which of these strategies do you already use at home?

10/08/2025

Want to help your toddler talk more? It doesn’t take fancy tools or complicated drills—it starts with everyday moments.

In my speech therapy sessions (and at home with parents), I use simple, consistent strategies like reading together, modeling words, adding gestures, and turning play into conversation.

Why does it work?
✅ Reading builds vocabulary and comprehension
✅ Pausing gives kids time to process and respond
✅ Modeling + gestures show them HOW to communicate
✅ Pretend play sparks imagination and language growth
✅ Repetition makes new words stick

Speech therapy isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about building skills, one playful moment at a time.

💬 Which of these do you already try at home? Tell me below—I’d love to hear!

10/06/2025

Parents and caregivers play a HUGE role in their child’s therapy journey. 🧩 While a therapist may only see your child once a week, the real progress happens in the day-to-day moments at home.

Here’s why your role matters so much:
✅ Consistency builds skills
✅ Real-life practice makes learning meaningful
✅ Kids learn best from the people they trust most
✅ Open communication helps therapy stay on track
✅ Teamwork between parents and therapists accelerates growth

Therapy isn’t just what happens in the clinic—it’s a partnership. When caregivers carry strategies into everyday routines, children gain confidence, practice skills in real-life settings, and make faster progress. 💙

👉 Parents, what’s one strategy you’ve found helpful to use at home?

10/03/2025

Feeding is more than just getting kids to eat - it’s about helping them build lifelong skills with food.

Parents often want quick fixes, but the truth is: lasting progress comes from everyday experiences at the table.

In therapy, I focus on:
✨ Encouraging real chewing skills (not just sipping from pouches)
✨ Building variety step by step with food chaining
✨ Supporting oral motor development with safe hard munchables
✨ Creating positive exposure to vegetables without “sneaking” them in

These little shifts make a big difference. The goal isn’t perfection - it’s helping kids feel confident, safe, and curious with food. 💙

09/26/2025

Parents and caregivers have been asking me about leucovorin (folinic acid), a potential treatment currently being studied for autism.

It’s gaining attention because some families report improvements in attention, awareness, and even verbal communication — but the research is still mixed.

Here’s what we know so far:
✔️ Leucovorin is a form of folate studied for children with cerebral folate deficiency (CFD), which can overlap with autism symptoms.
✔️ The FDA began the approval process in 2024 for CFD, but it’s not yet approved for all autistic individuals.
✔️ No single “miracle drug” exists — autism is complex, and treatments must be personalized.

💡 The bigger picture? Research is also exploring personalized medicine, AI-powered communication tools, and autistic-led studies to ensure a more effective and supportive future.

💙 As always, every child is different. If you’re curious about leucovorin or other potential supports, talk with your pediatrician or care team before making changes.

👉 Save this post to revisit later and share with someone who may be asking about potential autism treatments.

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3078 Serenity Lane
Naperville, IL
60564

Website

http://Beartrackspediatric.com/

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