The Speech Path Buffalo

The Speech Path Buffalo Private pediatric speech and language therapy

Of everything I learned in 2025, the thing I’m taking with me into 2026 is this:There is no one “right” path for every c...
01/02/2026

Of everything I learned in 2025, the thing I’m taking with me into 2026 is this:
There is no one “right” path for every child.
This past year reinforced how different each child’s needs, pace, and strengths truly are. And how much pressure families feel to compare, catch up, or fit into a timeline that doesn’t always make sense.

So in 2026, I’m holding onto this truth: progress looks different for every child, and that’s okay.
I hope it shapes how we show up for families, how we support kids, and how parents give themselves grace along the way.

Comment your word or mantra for 2026, I’d love to hear it.





If I had to sum up 2025 in one lesson, it would be this:Progress happens when a child feels safe first.This year continu...
12/31/2025

If I had to sum up 2025 in one lesson, it would be this:
Progress happens when a child feels safe first.
This year continued to teach me more than I expected.
A long time ago, I believed that the right goals, the right strategies, and the right amount of practice were what moved the needle. That if we just worked harder or longer, things would click faster.
But over and over again, I see something different.
The biggest growth comes when we slow down. When we focus on connection, regulation, and trust before expecting words, sounds, or answers. When kids feel understood instead of pressured.
Learning doesn’t happen in fight-or-flight.
It happens in safety.
That insight changed the way I structure sessions, coach parents, and measure progress, and it’s something we carry into every family we work with.

Save this if 2025 taught you something you didn’t see coming.

MYTH MONDAY: "Children learn language best in formal teaching settings" 🚫Many parents think they need structured lessons...
12/29/2025

MYTH MONDAY: "Children learn language best in formal teaching settings" 🚫

Many parents think they need structured lessons and formal instruction for language learning!

✔️ THE TRUTH: Children learn language most effectively through natural, everyday interactions and play-based experiences!

WHY NATURAL LEARNING WORKS BETTER:
• Language is tied to meaningful experiences and emotions
• Children are more motivated when activities are fun and engaging
• Real-life contexts help children understand when and how to use words
• Natural interactions teach social communication skills

FORMAL SETTINGS OFTEN FAIL BECAUSE:
• They remove language from meaningful contexts
• Children may perform for the teacher but not generalize skills
• Pressure to "perform" can reduce natural communication attempts
• They don't teach functional, everyday communication

WHERE REAL LANGUAGE LEARNING HAPPENS:
• During diaper changes and daily routines
• While cooking or eating together
• During bath time and getting dressed
• Playing with toys and exploring the world
• Having conversations during car rides

WHAT MAKES NATURAL LEARNING EFFECTIVE:
• Following the child's interests and attention
• Responding immediately to communication attempts
• Using language that's relevant to what's happening
• Creating a pressure-free environment for exploration

MY APPROACH: The best "classroom" is your living room, kitchen, and backyard!

REMEMBER: Life is the curriculum, and you are the best teacher!

Where does your child learn language best? 👇

Comment "SPEECH TIPS" for more ideas about natural language learning!

Happy Holidays from all of us at The Speech Path 💙Thank you for being part of our community, we’re so grateful for each ...
12/24/2025

Happy Holidays from all of us at The Speech Path 💙

Thank you for being part of our community, we’re so grateful for each and every family we get to support.

MYTH MONDAY: "Reading to children who can't talk yet is pointless" 🚫Some parents think there's no benefit to reading to ...
12/22/2025

MYTH MONDAY: "Reading to children who can't talk yet is pointless" 🚫

Some parents think there's no benefit to reading to nonverbal children since they can't respond!

✔️ THE TRUTH: Reading to nonverbal children is one of the MOST beneficial activities for language development, regardless of their verbal output!

WHY READING HELPS NONVERBAL CHILDREN:
• Exposes them to vocabulary they wouldn't hear in daily conversation
• Teaches story structure and narrative concepts
• Builds understanding of how books and print work
• Creates positive associations with language and learning

WHAT THEY'RE LEARNING EVEN WITHOUT TALKING:
• Cause and effect relationships in stories
• Emotional vocabulary through character experiences
• Sequencing and prediction skills
• Turn-taking through page turning

HOW TO READ TO NONVERBAL CHILDREN:
• Point to pictures and name them
• Use animated voices for different characters
• Pause and wait for any response (looking, pointing, sounds)
• Let them turn pages and explore the book
• Repeat favorite books multiple times

SIGNS THEY'RE ENGAGED:
• Looking at pictures you point to
• Reaching for the book or pages
• Making sounds or movements during exciting parts
• Bringing books to you
• Sitting still longer during reading time

REMEMBER: Comprehension comes before expression, they're absorbing everything!

What's your nonverbal child's favorite book? How do they show interest? 👇

Comment "SPEECH TIPS" for more reading strategies for nonverbal children!

Speech therapy shouldn’t feel like a checklist. ✔️ It should feel like connection. 🫶 At The Speech Path, we focus on fun...
12/17/2025

Speech therapy shouldn’t feel like a checklist. ✔️

It should feel like connection. 🫶

At The Speech Path, we focus on functional, engaging, family-centered therapy that supports the whole child, and empowers families along the way.

💬 Real communication
🧠 Real understanding
🏡 Real-life carryover

MYTH MONDAY: "Quiet, calm children don't need support" 🚫Society often praises quiet, passive children as "good kids," bu...
12/15/2025

MYTH MONDAY: "Quiet, calm children don't need support" 🚫

Society often praises quiet, passive children as "good kids," but silence isn't always golden!

✔️ THE TRUTH: Some quiet children may be struggling with communication challenges, social anxiety, or other underlying issues that need support!

DIFFERENT TYPES OF QUIET:
• Selective mutism: Speaking in some settings but not others
• Processing delays: Needing extra time to formulate responses
• Hearing difficulties: Not responding because they can't hear clearly
• Social communication challenges: Difficulty knowing how to join conversations

RED FLAGS FOR CONCERNING QUIET:
• Not speaking at school but talking at home (or vice versa)
• Sudden changes in communication patterns
• Avoiding social situations entirely
• Appearing frustrated when trying to communicate

WHAT QUIET MIGHT REALLY MEAN:
• "I don't know how to join this conversation"
• "I need more time to think of what to say"
• "I'm overwhelmed by all the noise and activity"
• "I want to communicate but don't have the words"

WHEN TO BE CONCERNED:
• Significant differences between home and school communication
• Regression in previously developed skills
• Signs of frustration or withdrawal
• Limited communication across multiple settings

REMEMBER: Every child deserves to have their voice heard and supported!

Have you ever worried about a child being "too quiet"? 👇

Comment "SPEECH TIPS" for more information about supporting quiet children!

👋Hi! I'm Jillian Lenhard, M.S.Ed., CCC-SLP/L, TSSLD.I’m the owner and founder of The Speech Path SLP, PLLC, a pediatric ...
12/12/2025

👋Hi! I'm Jillian Lenhard, M.S.Ed., CCC-SLP/L, TSSLD.

I’m the owner and founder of The Speech Path SLP, PLLC, a pediatric private practice built on connection, compassion, evidence-based care, and a whole lot of play.

After more than 13 years in the field, my passion remains the same: helping little learners and their families feel supported, empowered, and understood.

My clinical work spans birth through school age, but I especially love supporting early language development, late talkers, speech sound disorders, and neurodiverse learners.

My therapy style blends structure with silliness, grounded in research, but always individualized to what keeps a child regulated, engaged, and growing.

I built The Speech Path to be a warm, supportive space for families and a joyful one for therapists. Celebrating first words, growing confidence, and empowering parents are the moments that fuel me.

Outside the therapy room, you’ll usually find me with my husband and two boys, reading, cheering on sideline sports, or creating new resources for families and SLPs.

Fun fact: I’m the kind of person who starts “one quick idea” and suddenly it’s a full-blown project.

A phrase I come back to often is: “Connection first, communication second.” Because when a child feels safe and supported, everything else follows.

I’m endlessly grateful for every family that trusts us and for the incredible clinicians who bring The Speech Path to life each day.

Meet Brooke! One of our amazing SLPs known for her gentle style, playful energy, and the way she helps children grow wit...
12/11/2025

Meet Brooke! One of our amazing SLPs known for her gentle style, playful energy, and the way she helps children grow with confidence.

👋Hi! I'm Brooke Einstman, M.S.Ed., CCC-SLP/L, TSSLD.

I am passionate about supporting children as they develop their first words, new sounds, and meaningful ways to communicate. Helping individuals find their voice and empowering families to support their child’s communication journey is one of the most rewarding parts of my work as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Nothing compares to the joy and pure excitement that comes with hearing a communicator produce their first sound or word.

While I am fortunate to work with clients across a wide range of ages, I especially enjoy working with young children. My professional interests include articulation, phonology, stuttering, and supporting Gestalt Language Processors.

Play-based therapy is at the heart of my sessions. You can always find bubbles, Pop the Pig, peek-a-boo farm animals, or a puzzle in my therapy bag. No session is complete without laughter, engaging activities, and plenty of opportunities to learn through play. I love getting creative to design motivating, meaningful interactions that tap into each child’s individual interests.

Outside of work, I enjoy crafting with my Cricut, playing UNO with my family, discovering new lunch spots with friends, and eating plenty of ice cream. A fun fact about me: I love to travel, and I recently got married in Italy!

A quote I often remind myself of is, "everything happens for a reason".

I am incredibly thankful for all the families and clients that trust me with their care, journey and progress.

Meet Olivia, one of the incredible SLPs on our team! She brings so much heart, playfulness, and expertise to every sessi...
12/10/2025

Meet Olivia, one of the incredible SLPs on our team! She brings so much heart, playfulness, and expertise to every session, and our little learners absolutely adore her. 💙

👋Hi! I’m Olivia Rizzo, M.A., CCC-SLP, TSSLD.

I’m a speech-language pathologist who loves working with children of all ages, but toddlers and preschoolers, especially those between 1 and 5 years old, truly have my heart. My favorite areas of practice include speech sound disorders, early language development, and gestalt language processing. I’m passionate about creating therapy experiences that are fun, meaningful, and child-centered.

I became a SLP because I valued the privilege of supporting children, advocating for their needs, and empowering parents throughout their communication journey. Some of my favorite therapy materials include interactive books, anything from Learning Resources, and Goliath Games!

A fun fact about me is that I also work with The University at Buffalo Motor Speech Disorders Lab as a research assistant/manager, where I get to dive deeper into the science behind the work I do every day.

Outside of my work, I love walking my dog, reading, and spending time with friends and family. On the weekends, you can also find me trying new coffee shops (this SLP definitely runs on coffee).

My favorite mantra is: “Don’t count the days, make the days count.”

MYTH MONDAY: "Crying babies don't need language input" 🚫Many parents think there's no point talking to a crying baby sin...
12/08/2025

MYTH MONDAY: "Crying babies don't need language input" 🚫

Many parents think there's no point talking to a crying baby since they're "not listening."

✔️ THE TRUTH: Crying babies are actually in a heightened state of attention and can still benefit from calm, soothing language input!

WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING:
• Crying is communication—babies are trying to tell you something
• Your calm voice can help regulate their nervous system
• They're learning that communication gets responses
• Narrating what you're doing helps them understand routines

HOW TO PROVIDE LANGUAGE DURING CRYING:
• "I hear you crying. You sound upset. Let me check your diaper."
• "You're hungry! I'm getting your bottle ready."
• "I know, I know. This is hard. Mommy's here."
• Use a calm, soothing tone even when describing what you're doing

WHY THIS MATTERS:
• Builds early communication patterns
• Teaches cause and effect
• Models emotional regulation through language
• Shows that their communication attempts matter

REMEMBER: Even crying babies are learning from your words and tone!

Have you noticed your baby responding to your voice during fussy times? 👇

Comment "SPEECH TIPS" for more ways to support early communication!

Address

5 Limestone Drive, Suite B
Williamsville, NY
14221

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