The Speech Path Buffalo

The Speech Path Buffalo Private pediatric speech and language therapy

04/03/2026

A Buffalo-area provider of early intervention services shares what's at stake for New York's youngest in this year's state budget.

Quizzing shuts play down fast.Describing keeps language flowing.You’re teaching more when you tell instead of ask. ...
04/03/2026

Quizzing shuts play down fast.
Describing keeps language flowing.

You’re teaching more when you tell instead of ask.

At The Speech Path, we believe speech therapy should feel personal, supportive, and meaningful for every family we work ...
04/02/2026

At The Speech Path, we believe speech therapy should feel personal, supportive, and meaningful for every family we work with.

We are intentional about building relationships, guiding families through the process, and celebrating progress together because communication development is a journey, and you shouldn’t have to navigate it alone.

We’re thankful for families who share their experience“When we brought our son to The Speech Path, Jill was incredibly k...
04/01/2026

We’re thankful for families who share their experience

“When we brought our son to The Speech Path, Jill was incredibly kind, knowledgeable and accommodating. From the start, she was very honest and thorough in her evaluation and she always took the time to answer all of our questions. She also provided us with a lot of great information to use at home as well. Our son quickly picked up some of the signs she taught him in the beginning sessions and over time we were able to see huge progress in his speech. We are so thankful for all of the help and care she provided to our family. I highly, highly recommend Jill for anyone looking into speech therapy for their child!” – A parent

Why this matters to us: families deserve clarity, education, and tools they can use every day at home, therapy doesn’t stop when the session ends.

03/31/2026

We have all seen this post in a Facebook mom group.

A mom asks if it is normal that her 18 month old is only saying 5 words and whether she should be concerned. And within minutes the comments are full of reassurances from other moms who mean absolutely every bit of well in the world.

"My son didn't talk until he was 3 and he's fine!"
"Boys are always slower, totally normal."
"Einstein didn't talk until he was 4."
"Maybe try more Scooby Doo."

(I wish I was kidding about that last one.)

Here is the thing though. The answer to "should I be concerned about my 18 month old only saying 5 words" is not a simple no, and it is not a simple yes either, and that is actually the whole point.

By 18 months most children are typically using somewhere around 10 to 20 words and are starting to combine sounds and words in new ways. Five words at 18 months is something a pediatric SLP would want to take a closer look at, not to sound an alarm, but because understanding what is actually happening with a child's communication development is always more useful than guessing.

And here is what those Facebook comments cannot account for. They do not know if this child is also not yet pointing or gesturing to share interest. They do not know if her sound variety has been limited since early on. They do not know if she understands language well or if there are gaps there too. They do not know anything except their own child's story, which is a completely different story than this mom's.

The moms in that comment section are not bad people. They are trying to be kind and they are sharing what they know. But kindness and accurate information are not always the same thing, and this mom deserves both.

If your gut is telling you something is worth looking into, please listen to it. You do not need a Facebook comment section to tell you whether your concern is valid. You need someone who can actually look at your child.

Link in bio to fill out our inquiry form and we will take it from there together.





MYTH MONDAY: "Children who use AAC will become dependent and never talk" 🚫This fear prevents many children from accessin...
03/30/2026

MYTH MONDAY: "Children who use AAC will become dependent and never talk" 🚫

This fear prevents many children from accessing communication tools that could transform their lives!

✔️ THE TRUTH: AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) often helps children develop verbal speech by reducing pressure and providing a bridge to spoken language!

WHAT RESEARCH SHOWS ABOUT AAC:
• AAC use typically increases verbal speech attempts
• Children feel less frustrated when they can communicate effectively
• Having a reliable communication method reduces anxiety about speaking
• Many children who use AAC eventually develop verbal speech too
• AAC provides language models that support speech development

WHY AAC HELPS RATHER THAN HURTS:
• Removes pressure to speak before the child is ready
• Provides immediate communication success
• Teaches language concepts and sentence structure
• Builds confidence in communication abilities
• Creates positive associations with expressing thoughts

TYPES OF AAC THAT SUPPORT SPEECH:
• Picture communication systems
• Speech-generating devices
• Sign language and gestures
• Written communication
• Combination approaches

WHEN AAC IS RECOMMENDED:
• Children who are nonverbal or minimally verbal
• Those with motor planning difficulties (apraxia)
• Children with difficulty with verbal expression
• Anyone who needs communication support while speech develops

SUCCESS STORIES:
• Children using AAC who later develop clear speech
• Kids who become bilingual in spoken and AAC languages
• Families who report reduced frustration and increased connection
• Children who gain confidence and social skills through effective communication

REMEMBER: AAC is not giving up on speech, it's giving children a voice while speech develops!

Have you seen AAC help a child's communication journey? 👇

Comment "SPEECH TIPS" for more information about AAC and communication support!

03/29/2026

Our Uncovering Neurodiversity Conference in 2023 left us feeling empowered and revitalized- we’re so excited to do it again. Save the date!

A 7-year-old keeps my business card with a photo of me in his wallet. 🥹His grandmother mentioned it to me last week, and...
03/27/2026

A 7-year-old keeps my business card with a photo of me in his wallet. 🥹

His grandmother mentioned it to me last week, and honestly, I have thought about it every single day since. We always say that what we do here goes beyond speech sounds and language goals. It's about showing up for kids in a way that makes them feel safe, seen, and genuinely excited to grow.

When a child trusts you enough to carry a piece of you with them? That is the whole point. That's the kind of practice we work so hard to be: approachable, warm, and a real part of your child's world. Not just a clinician they visit on Tuesdays.

If you're looking for a speech therapy practice in the Buffalo area where your child will actually WANT to come back, we'd love to meet your family.

💙 Link in bio to reach out.

Here's what most people don't realize about articulation and intelligibility progress. It doesn't usually look like perf...
03/26/2026

Here's what most people don't realize about articulation and intelligibility progress. It doesn't usually look like perfect sounds in every conversation. It looks more like fewer frustrated meltdowns, clearer moments at the dinner table, and your child correcting themselves before you even say a word. Last week they said their sound correctly three times during a story, unprompted. Yesterday a stranger understood them on the first try. This morning they didn't shut down when someone asked them to repeat themselves. None of that is perfect speech. But all of it is progress. Save this for the next time you wonder if therapy is actually working.

This one made us smile“Jillian is fantastic! She’s knowledgeable, professional, and fun! My son is always eager to go to...
03/25/2026

This one made us smile

“Jillian is fantastic! She’s knowledgeable, professional, and fun! My son is always eager to go to his appointments, and I’ve seen growth in a short period of time. I will forever recommend her to everyone!” – A parent

Why this matters to us: when kids look forward to therapy, confidence grows and communication flourishes. Joy is a powerful learning tool.

If you have been looking for someone who actually understands gestalt language processing and knows how to support your ...
03/24/2026

If you have been looking for someone who actually understands gestalt language processing and knows how to support your child using the Natural Language Acquisition framework, this is what we offer at The Speech Path.

Our GLP programming was built specifically for children who communicate using scripts, echolalia, or memorized phrases, and for the families who are trying to figure out how to best support them at home and in everyday life.

Here is what that looks like in practice:

Parent coaching and consultations are a central part of everything we do, because the most powerful communication moments happen at home and not just in a therapy room. We work with caregivers to build a real understanding of gestalt language processing and give you concrete strategies that fit into your actual daily routines rather than feeling like extra homework on top of everything else you are already doing.

Our communication assessments are comprehensive evaluations designed to identify where your child is in their gestalt language development, which matters enormously because the Natural Language Acquisition framework has six stages and the right support looks quite different depending on where your child is sitting within that progression.

Our communication skill building sessions are play-based and built around how your child actually processes language, which means we are working with their scripts and their natural communication style rather than asking them to set it aside in favor of an approach that was never designed for them in the first place.

If your child uses scripts or echolalia, if they have been in therapy before and something about the approach has never quite clicked, or if you are just starting to learn about gestalt language processing and want to connect with someone who can help you make sense of what you are seeing, we would love to hear from you.

Link in bio to fill out our inquiry form.

MYTH MONDAY: "Children should master one language before learning another" 🚫This myth prevents families from sharing the...
03/23/2026

MYTH MONDAY: "Children should master one language before learning another" 🚫

This myth prevents families from sharing their heritage languages and cultural identities!

✔️ THE TRUTH: Children's brains are designed to learn multiple languages simultaneously, and early exposure to multiple languages provides cognitive and social advantages!

WHY SIMULTANEOUS LANGUAGE LEARNING WORKS:
• Young brains are incredibly flexible and adaptable
• Children can distinguish between different language systems from birth
• Early bilingualism enhances cognitive flexibility
• Multiple languages provide richer cultural connections
• Bilingual children often outperform monolinguals on certain cognitive tasks

BENEFITS OF EARLY MULTILINGUAL EXPOSURE:
• Enhanced problem-solving abilities
• Better attention and focus skills
• Increased cultural awareness and empathy
• Greater career opportunities later in life
• Stronger family and community connections

WHAT BILINGUAL DEVELOPMENT LOOKS LIKE:
• Children may have smaller vocabularies in each individual language initially
• Total vocabulary across both languages is typically larger than monolinguals
• Some mixing of languages is normal and healthy
• Different languages may develop at different rates
• Children naturally learn when to use which language

WHEN TO INTRODUCE MULTIPLE LANGUAGES:
• From birth is ideal, but it's never too late
• Consistency in each language is more important than timing
• Quality of input matters more than quantity
• Family heritage languages are especially valuable

WHAT FAMILIES CAN DO:
• Speak your heritage language at home with confidence
• Provide rich input in all languages
• Read books and sing songs in multiple languages
• Connect with community speakers of each language
• Celebrate multilingual abilities

REMEMBER: Multilingualism is a gift, not a burden!

What languages are spoken in your family? How do you support multilingual development? 👇

Comment "SPEECH TIPS" for more information about raising multilingual children!

Address

5 Limestone Drive, Suite B
Williamsville, NY
14221

Telephone

+17166500636

Website

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