As a speech-language pathologist (SLP), one of the many areas we assess and treat is language development. Language is made up of two important parts: receptive language and expressive language. 

Receptive language is a child's ability to understand the words and language they hear. This includes understanding vocabulary, following directions, answering questions, and making sense of stories and conversations. 

When most people think about speech therapy, they picture children practicing sounds, repeating words, and working to improve their speech production. While these activities are certainly important, an often-overlooked part of speech sound intervention involves something much simpler: listening. 

Children learn speech sounds by hearing them. Long before they can accurately produce a sound, they must first develop an understanding of what that sound is supposed to sound like. For many children with speech sound disorders, this process requires more exposure and more focused listening opportunities than it does for their peers. One evidence-based technique that supports this learning process is auditory bombardment. 

Sippy cups are often marketed as the norm to transition from bottle drinking. They can be convenient and offer a quick transition; however, they are not beneficial for overall development and maturation of oral motor skills. Although sippy cup use is not going to be detrimental to a child’s development, feeding therapists and oral motor specialists recommend straw or open cups as the most beneficial options to support a child’s long-term growth. 

If you’re a parent of a young child, chances are you ask a lot of questions.

“What color is that?”
“What does the cow say?”
“Can you tell me what this is?”

Asking questions feels helpful, and sometimes it is. But when it comes to supporting early language development, too many questions can actually slow things down.

Pragmatics refers to how we use language in social situations and across different contexts. It includes skills such as turn-taking, maintaining eye contact, understanding body language, using appropriate greetings, and adjusting the way we speak depending on who we’re talking to and where we are.

When a child receives occupational, physical, or speech therapy, the goal is always the same: to help them build the skills they need to thrive in everyday life. Therapists play an essential role in assessment, treatment planning, and skill-building—but the progress a child makes during weekly sessions is only one piece of the puzzle. The biggest gains often happen between appointments, and that’s where parents and caregivers make all the difference.

Below is a look at why parent involvement matters so much, what it really looks like day-to-day, and how you can support your child’s therapy journey for the best possible outcomes.

Learning to talk begins with several different foundational steps that you as parents can work on at home to support your child’s communication abilities. 

Some children frequently communicate by repeating lines from their favorite television shows, or directly imitating what others say to them. This form of communication is called echolalia. Echolalia refers to repeating words, phrases, or sentences spoken by others. It can occur immediately (right after hearing something) or be delayed (repeating something heard earlier — even hours, days, or weeks later).

Before babies say their first words, they’re already busy learning how to communicate. These early skills — called prelinguistic skills — form the foundation for language development. By understanding and supporting these skills, caregivers can help children build strong communication abilities that will support them for life.

As children are growing and developing, it is common for development of some sounds to come quickly and for it to take more time to master other sounds—speech development is a gradual process! Many little ones go through a stage where their “baby talk” sounds adorable, like saying “tat” for “cat” or “wabbit” for “rabbit”. These errors can be part of early typical development as kids are learning how to coordinate their lips, tongue, and breath for clear speech. Sometimes it’s a simple developmental pattern that will fade with time, while in other cases, it may be a sign of an articulation or phonological disorder. If certain sound substitutions persist beyond the expected age range or make your child’s speech difficult to understand, it might be time to check in with a speech-language pathologist (SLP). SLPs have the background training and knowledge to help identify the reason for these errors in sound production. Understanding the difference between these two disorders can help you know when to seek extra support.

"Does your child need speech therapy? It's wonderful that public schools offer it, but is your child getting the attention they truly need?

At Ability Innovations, we offer what school settings often can't: One-on-one, consistent therapy built around your child. We don't believe in group sessions or once-a-month meetings.

Forget the boring worksheets and flashcards! We use the power of Play-Based Learning. We've created a vibrant environment where kids learn best—through fun and meaningful activities—so they can reach their full potential faster.

And unlike the school setting, you won't be left in the dark. We make Parent Involvement easy! You'll have direct access to your therapist every week to discuss goals, ask questions, and learn how to reinforce progress at home.

If you're ready for more dedicated attention, more consistency, and better results for your child’s speech, it’s time to reach out.

Contact Ability Innovations today for an evaluation and start your child on the path to confident communication!"

At Ability Innovations, our goal is to be interdisciplinary. We believe that by working together, we can provide better care and achieve greater success for the children we work with. According to Nick and Megan, co-treating offers several key benefits:

• Better Outcomes: When two therapists from different specialties work together, a child often makes greater progress in both areas. The therapists can build on each other's work and augment the benefits of each session. For example, an OT might work on a child's core strength on a swing, while the SLP uses that regulated state to encourage communication and language skills.

• Efficiency for Parents: Co-treating can significantly shorten the time a family has to spend at the clinic. Instead of attending two separate appointments, you can get two therapies in one session. This is a huge time-saver for busy families.

• Holistic Care: Therapy isn't just about one specific skill; it's about helping a child function better in the world. By combining two disciplines, therapists can address multiple goals at once. Megan shared a great example of a scavenger hunt she did with an OT. While the child was working on fine motor skills and handwriting with the OT, Megan had them practice and write words that targeted their speech sounds.

In the world of occupational therapy, sensory processing plays a vital role in helping individuals navigate their daily lives. Two common sensory patterns—sensory avoidance and sensory seeking—represent opposite ends of the sensory spectrum. Sensory avoidance refers to individuals who are overwhelmed or distressed by certain sensory input, such as bright lights, loud noises, or specific textures. These individuals often withdraw from stimuli, preferring quiet, calm environments. In contrast, sensory seekers actively crave sensory input and may engage in behaviors like touching everything around them, making loud noises, or constantly moving.

If you've ever wondered about the signs of a language delay in a child or the benefits of speech therapy, the video "What Is Pediatric Speech Therapy?" by Ability Innovations provides a helpful overview. The video focuses on pediatric speech therapy for children from birth to 21 years old and highlights a play-based approach to treatment.