The Language of Play - Kids that Listen, Speech Therapy, Language Development, Early Intervention

Hey Friends~ 

Have you ever found yourself thinking, "Why isn't my child listening?" Or wondering why they can do something one day but seem completely unable the next?

Before we assume it's defiance, laziness, or a bad attitude, what if we asked a different question: What if communication is what's hard?

For the past three months, we've been exploring the many ways communication can get disrupted—both in understanding a...

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Your child hears you say something... but did they actually get the message? 

Sometimes communication breaks down because children can't fully access language. It may be hearing loss, difficulty processing information, speech delays, or simply not yet having the words they need.

In today's episode in the series When Communication is Hard, we're exploring how access impacts communication and why one surprisin...

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Some kids can talk—but don’t in certain situations. Maybe they suddenly go silent at school, church, or around other people. In this episode of our When Communication Is Hard series, we’re talking about selective mutism and anxiety-based communication challenges. These children may have the words, know what they want to say, and still feel unable to access their voice in certain situations.

We&r...

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Most of us don’t remember what it felt like to learn language for the very first time as young children. We focus so much on letters, books, and what children see—but are we overtraining eyes while undertraining ears?

After experiencing a brain injury that forced her to relearn language from the beginning, today’s guest, Emily Cadiz, gained a life-changing understanding of what it truly feels li...

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If you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s mouth breathing, poor sleep, unclear speech, or constant frustration could mean something deeper… this episode is for you. Today, I’m talking with Luba Patlakh about tongue ties, therapy, when parents should seek help, and what real support looks like—whether surgery is involved or not.  We also talk about practical communication str...

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Many parents think reading begins with letters, flashcards, and sounding out words. But the foundation for reading actually begins much earlier—through listening, sound play, hearing sound patterns, understanding language, building vocabulary, and everyday conversation.

So whether you have a toddler and want to give them the strongest start possible… or you have an older child who struggles with read...

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When communication changes or a child suddenly loses words after a seizure, brain injury, pediatric stroke, or regression, it can leave families feeling scared, confused, and unsure what to do next. In this episode, we talk openly about what these communication changes can look like, what helps the brain heal, and how parents can support their child without adding pressure during already difficult moments. You&rs...

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In this episode, we’re talking about communication in children with Down syndrome, genetic syndromes, and learning differences. I’ll share how cognition, memory, and learning style shape language development—and why repetition, consistency, and strength-based support make such a difference. This is about meeting kids where they are and building communication step by step.

Always cheering you on!...

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“We never limit how she communicates—we grow with her in how she communicates.” ~Tamara Tuckson

In this episode, a mom and daughter share their journey with AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). Many parents feel unsure or even afraid of AAC, but this conversation gently reveals how it can uncover who a child truly is when their body makes speech difficult. You’ll hear real-lif...

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When the body works harder, communication often does too. In this episode, we’re talking about communication challenges related to low muscle tone, cerebral palsy, and AAC which  stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication 

We’ll look at how effort, fatigue, and positioning impact speech and more importantly, you will hear 3 stories how AAC supported  functional communication ...

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We are in the middle of the series “When Communication is hard” to discuss a topic that is just as important and impacts our kids.  That is—the strength of the parent relationship itself. Today’s conversation with Jan shifts the focus to how, when parents grow in connection and calm, it creates a foundation that helps even the most challenging behaviors begin to settle.

What if the ke...

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In the last episode, part 5, we talked about ADHD, ASD and processing difficulties. In this episode we support that learning as we listen to a mom and coach talk about parenting some of these kids who are strong-willed, highly sensitive, and neurodiverse. Our conversation is full of examples of turning daily struggles into calmer, more connected moments.  

So if you have a child that pushes your buttons...

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If communication with your child feels confusing, exhausting, or like you’re missing something important, this episode is for you.

Today we’re talking about language  processing differences in  ASD  (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder)  along with processing differences associated with Auditory processing, Language processing, and Sensory processing.&nbs...

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*SPECIAL EPISODE* Podcasthon Highlighted Charity:  Small Steps in Speech with Amanda Charney-Berardi.

If you’re a parent, caregiver, or professional who’s ever worried about a child being misunderstood… if you’ve wondered whether listening, play, and connection really matter as much as we say they do… or if you believe that every child deserves support—not just the luck...

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“My child understands everything but doesn’t talk much.” 

“My child talks, but I can’t always tell what they mean.”

If those worries sound familiar, this episode is for you! 

This is Episode 4 in the series When Communication Is Hard, and today we’re exploring expressive and receptive language delays. We’ll untangle what these differences look like so you ...

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It's national reading month - or "I love to read" month! So we are taking a quick stop in our series to focus on reading, but not only reading, but how reading can support speech sound development!

Is your child learning how to read? Are you a bit puzzled knowing HOW to help them read?  

If that is you you will love today’s episode as we talk with a reading specialist on the very beginning of read...

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If your child’s speech is hard to understand, uses unusual patterns, or sounds younger than their age, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re looking at speech sound disorders, phonological delays, and articulation challenges. I’ll help you sort out what’s developmental, what might need support, and how everyday play can support clearer speech—without correcting every word.

A...

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This episode is part 2 of the series “When Communication is Hard.”   

Today we’re talking about childhood apraxia of speech and other motor speech disorders—what they are, and why speech can be so effort-filled for some kids. If your child knows what they want to say but can’t consistently get the words out, this episode will help you understand what’s really goi...

Hey Friends~ 

If you’ve ever wondered why communication feels hard for your child—and confusing for you—this series is for you. In this opening conversation, I’m laying the groundwork for the entire series titled, “When Communication Is Hard”.  We’ll talk about the many reasons communication can break down PLUS  strategies that will help you identify what is happening and so...