Pediatric SLP Laura Mize explains the 8th stage of play.

In this course #472, learn the play and language skills a child acquires during Stage 7: New Jobs and New Events from Stages of Play for Toddlers and Preschoolers with Language Delays, along with activities, strategies, and recommended toys to facilitate each skill and help train parents and other caregivers. Course appropriate for SLPs and other therapists (OT, PT, and EI Developmental Specialists/Therapists) who work with pediatrics in various settings including state or county-based early intervention providers, outpatient pediatric therapy clinics, infant/toddler and preschool programs, and other childcare settings Stage 7 Toy List Link for CE credit for $5

In this 14 part podcast series, learn all the language milestones from under 12 months to 48 months. We'll break down all milestones for both receptive and expressive language into 6 month age ranges. In each show (as well as on the handout), we'll define each skill, discuss its importance for language development, and then talk about the best strategies for targeting the skill in therapy sessions and at home. This information will serve as a fantastic reminder for typical language acquisition, as well as a great resource for parent education. In this course, we're discussing the expressive language milestones acquired by 48 months. For speech-language pathologists, other therapists and professionals who work in early intervention and pediatrics, and parents of toddlers and preschoolers with speech-language delays. Recommended Toys & Resources Post Link for CE credit -- #463 teachmetotalk.com  

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she discusses ways to cue toddlers as they learn new speech sounds. This information is from my therapy mnaual FUNctional Phonology. In this show we're using the tag line "Tell him - Show him - Help him" to explain to parents how to use verbal, visual, and tactile cues to teach a toddler a new speech sound. More detailed information about these kinds of cues is included in my therapy manual Functional Phonology, exclusively on sale at teachmetotalk.com.

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as we discuss what to do when a toddler does not imitate words consistently. This is a very common problem with late talkers, and the solution is always the same, but a little counterintuitive. Instead of teaching them something new, we actually have to BACK UP to what a child can already (kind of) do - rather than tackling the immediate goal. Most of the time, late talkers are NOT developmentally ready to begin working at the word level - that's the problem! We have to use different strategies and it varies from child to child depending on what they can already do. Listen to the show for ideas!

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as we discuss speech intelligibility in toddlers including what's normal, red flags that indicate a toddler's speech issues need intervention, diagnoses related to decreased speech intelligibility, and six priority patterns to target to improve a young child's ability to be understood. Today's show is an overview of my newest therapy manual FUNctional Phonology.  Get yourself a copy of this book to learn how to treat toddlers who are difficult to understand.

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she discusses effective techniques to treat expressive language delays in toddlers. This is a continuation from show #350 when we talked about the imitation hierarchy I use to address language delays in toddlers. Now we're going to  "sandwich" that information with what to try when a child is not ready for that protocol AND how to move on to phrases. Listen for some fantastic strategies!! Read the post here.

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she discusses effective techniques to treat expressive language delays in toddlers. When there are no other developmental red flags (like decreased interest in social interaction, increased activity level and super short attention span, won't play with toys, does not follow directions), here's the method I use. Teach Imitation! Begin with actions with objects... Introduce gestures...Analyze nonverbal actions a child might imitate...Get noisy...Begin exclamatory words/play sounds...Try automatic speech...Teach FUNCTIONAL single words...Move on to phrases. Listen to the show for this hierarchy... it works!! Read the entire post at teachmetotalk.com: 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she shares top strategies for helping toddlers learn to understand words and follow directions during daily routines. Resources mentioned during the show can be found at this link:

In this week's show, join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com we're continuing the topic from last show #346 for using my hierarchy for treating toddlers with speech-language delays/disorders. This week we're discussing ways to improve a toddler's social connectedness with other people - especially his parents at home during everyday routines. First, we'll review red flags for differences in social interaction. Many times parents miss these characteristics in their own children. Many times therapists don't point these out because we either don't recognize them as red flags or we're too afraid of a parent's reaction. We'll talk about that on the show too! Our overall strategies for improving a child's ability to respond to you are: Consistently respond to him. Don’t let a toddler “check out” or be alone for long periods of time. Get eye to eye and face to face! Don’t force eye contact and interaction – invite it! Sound fun… less like an adult and more like a kid! Do what a toddler likes. Play, play, play…and then play some more! Limit distractions when you’re working on responding. Be the toy! Avoid power struggles. Lavish love! Be persistent in your attempts to join him. Reward a child’s efforts to respond to you. Final review… what “counts” as responding? Remember - Your #1 goal is INTERACTION! Listen for ways to work on social skills in everyday routines! Try activities that involve Movement, Music, Sensory Experiences, Social Games

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she walks through goals during everyday routines. Today we'll be discussing the first part of "I Need a Plan" for social skills with ideas forhow to help a child learn to respond and connect in lots of ways throughout the day. 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she discusses how to use a framework for treating late talking toddlers during a fun activity for toddlers - water play! Here's the written summary from last week's show if this framework is new for you or scroll back and listen to show #344!  We'll also begin with a question from a mom that's fantastic - what to do when your child isnt' getting along with his therapist! 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she discussed the framework she uses to design treatment plans for toddlers with speech-language delays.

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com for part 11 in this 14 part podcast series, learn all the language milestones from under 12 months to 48 months. We'll break down all milestones for both receptive and expressive language into 6 month age ranges. In each show (as well as on the handout), we'll define each skill, discuss its importance for language development, and then talk about the best strategies for targeting the skill in therapy sessions and at home. This information will serve as a fantastic reminder for typical language acquisition, as well as a great resource for parent education. In this course, we're discussing the receptive language milestones acquired by 42 months For speech-language pathologists, other therapists and professionals who work in early intervention and pediatrics, and parents of toddlers and preschoolers with speech-language delays. Link to purchase $5 CEU credit:https://teachmetotalk.com/ceu_course/asha-ceu-course-462-receptive-language-milestones-by-48-months/

Join pediatric speech-language Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com as she discusses lessons she learned thsi week volunteering in a new summer program with toddlers. Read the summary here:

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she talks with SLP Kendra about the progress a busy 2 year old on her caseload. Originally, the little girl demonstrated escape/avoidance behaviors even when she seemed to like an activity. (Listen to show #329.) After some adjustments to the approach and goals, she began to participate for longer periods and started to use a few words (Listen to show #334). Today we're seeing what other changes have occurred since our last update! 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com with ABA therapist Jessica to discuss a simple method for analyzing a child's behaviors that don't seem to make sense. Read a summary of the show: 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she interviews Floortime and autism specialist Dr. Jennie Trocchio. We'll be discussing the research to support Floortime (It IS evidence-based!!) and a quick review of the levels of DIR/Floortime and this approach vs. other treatment protocols. Read the summary here: 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she shares 5 important tips to use when helping toddlers learn to understand and use language. Read the full summary here.

Are you frustrated with a toddler's lack of progress in speech therapy? Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she reviews the reasons a toddler may be stalled. Read the summary here.

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S, CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com as she answers this question from an SLP:I feel like I often go through the steps of working on the 11 prelinguistic skills that you talk about in "let's talk about talking."  The kiddos build up a lot of their play skills and start to use signs and eventually get to single words.  Then, I feel like we plateau.  I have one little girl, specifically, who I'm feeling this way with.  She will be 2 in March.  She was a preemie and was getting OT services before she was transferred to my caseload.  She was a late walker and had some low muscle tone, which the OT addressed and continues to work on.  I was offering consultation services and the OT (who is fabulous) and the Mom (who is very good with follow through) worked on her play skills, imitation, social routines, songs, etc.  She has started using signs and single words.  Mom reports that she uses at least 100 single words spontaneously, but she's not yet combining words into two word phrases.  I've heard her use different nouns, verbs and some adjectives so I know she has a varied vocabulary.  But she won't attempt to imitate a two word phrase, yet she readily imitates single words.  Am I expecting too much too fast?  I feel like she has enough of the necessary skills to combine words, but she just isn't doing it yet.  Listen for my explanation and tips! Read the written summary here at my website.

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she and her guest discuss a common question among pediatric SLPs... should I try oral alerting activities with this kid or not? Read our email conversations and then listen as we "think out loud" for this little guy! Here's the written summary...

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com as she follows up with an SLP from show #329. She's working with a little girl who runs away anytime she or her mom try to join her in play - even when it's something she likes. There have been positive changes in only a month! Listen to see what recommendations from the first show have made the difference! Read the summary here:

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com as she follows up with an SLP from show #325 about how the ideas they discussed on that show worked for him! We also discussed another child who is using around 200 words, but only to label familiar items and other nonfunctional words like shapes, colors, letters, and numbers. What's the next short-term goal for kids like that? How can she move him toward using those words to communicate? Listen to find out!

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com for part 11 in this 14 part podcast series, learn all the language milestones from under 12 months to 48 months. We'll break down all milestones for both receptive and expressive language into 6 month age ranges. In each show (as well as on the handout), we'll define each skill, discuss its importance for language development, and then talk about the best strategies for targeting the skill in therapy sessions and at home. This information will serve as a fantastic reminder for typical language acquisition, as well as a great resource for parent education. In this course, we're discussing the receptive language milestones acquired by 42 months For speech-language pathologists, other therapists and professionals who work in early intervention and pediatrics, and parents of toddlers and preschoolers with speech-language delays. Link to purchase $5 CEU credit: https://teachmetotalk.com/ceu_course/...          

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she replies to questions from therapists about what to include in a first meeting with a family. Here are her specific questions...  - Do you do a case history? - Do you do a Rossetti to find their skill level or do you primarily focus on interviewing the parent about your 11 prelinguistic skills? - do you do any hands on assessment with the child or mainly parent report? - Do you try to start therapy in that session so the parent has something to go away with? - how long does your first session usually go for - 45 mins/1 hour/ or longer? Or do you do diagnostic intervention and work it out over 5 - 6 weeks? - Do you always write a report with your assessment results? Listen for my answers!       

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize of teachmetotalk.com as she answers questions from listeners including these:  a mom of a kindergartener who has an autism diagnosis asks how to get her to play with her sister and other children as well as answer questions related to her day.an SLP wants ideas for small groups of 4 preschoolers who are functioning at younger developmental levels.    

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she addresses a hodge podge of questions including how often to play social games in a session, how much money do you spend out of pocket on clients, and how much time should parents be spending on "speech" at home. I'm also beginning the show with a great email from a mom who explains why she thinks parents may not follow through with recommendations. I hope you'll join me! 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com as she answers an SLP's questions about a little client who runs away frequently whenever she and mom try to join her for play. Here's her question... I am currently seeing a 23-month-old girl who doesn't have a diagnosis. She is starting to vocalize purposefully. She does make some playful noises like sh, panting like a dog and eating and drinking sounds when feeding her babies. According to mom, she will inconsistently follow directions. Mom has been working on body parts, specifically her belly. As of now, she is not pointing to her belly. She was pointing to her eyes, but now she is not. Mom has been using physical assistance to help her point which she does not like at all!! She is beginning to imitate play routines like... feeding her babies. She is receiving therapy from a special instructor for play. I completed your 11 skills checklist with mom and this little girl needs work on play, receptive language, imitation, attention, joint attention and turn taking. The biggest need that I see is her attention. I am constantly redirecting her attention back to activities. Even if she begins an activity and I join in to lengthen it, she is off to something else. Using physical assistance sometimes helps her to stay with an activity longer. She even runs away from activities that she seems to love like peek a boo. She smiles and laughs when we play, but she runs away as soon as I give her an inch!! Interestingly enough, when mom is with her, her attention is better. However, when mom or I join in her play, it’s almost like her job is done and she shuts off. Mom shrugs this off as her being stubborn. I don’t think stubborness has anything to do with it. Neither do I!     

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she answers this mom's question:  I know that children find it easiest to say certain sounds first. What are those sounds? For a child who is only saying a few words is it best to try and help them say words formed from certain consonants and vowels? What words do you suggest it is best to first work on with a child who hardly says any words? In this podcast, we're discussing the factors to consider when thinking of vocabulary selection for your work with late talkers!  

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she discusses a very common situation SLPs and other therapists find themselves in with toddlers. Read her original question here and listen for my ideas for what I use when this happens!  I work a lot with children under 3 (ASD& late talkers). I keep running into the same problem.  I start with Hanen and parent education regarding same.  Parents generally like the social interaction it can bring. Then I work on imitation skills with toy's or motor movements. I also work on task completion. AFTER this I get stuck. Parents want therapy weekly/ every second week. Kids are often saying a few words, but we seem to be doing the same things going nowhere. During Hanen kids play with same toys often silent despite my efforts (playing own agenda). Kids won't imitate words and parents are frustrated as they have heard their child say the word in the past. Usually lack of motivators and parent reluctance rules out PECS. I would be so grateful for any advice or product recommendations for this dilemma.  I am beginning to lose faith at this stage.  http://teachmetotalk.com/2018/01/24/326-help-im-stuck-kinds-kids/

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP for a follow up show to #322. Six weeks ago, I walked an SLP mom of nonverbal 4.5 year old through the 11 skills toddlers master before words emerge. During that show, we identified some new areas of focus for her to try at home with him. At the end of the show, I asked her if she'd be willing to come back on periodically to talk about his progress. Today is the first follow up to that show. Listen as we update his progress and determine where to go from here. Even though you're listening to child-specific details, you can take this information and apply it to your own situation. If you're a therapist, this is how you follow up with parents with how things are going at home - especially if you're using a consultative model and aren't doing lots of direct treatment. I've never met this family in person so you should be able to get even better results if you're actually SEEING a child and parents! If you're a parent, listen carefully to the questions I'm asking this mother and answer them for yourself. Then apply the same concepts - even if your circumstances are a little different.

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she talks with an SLP about problem-solving ideas for a toddler on her caseload with red flags for autism who is super busy. He's imitating actions now, but no signs or sounds. What are things she can try in sessions and to teach his family to move communication skills forward? Read the full summary here.

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she talks about teaching parents the importance of language skills that lead to talking and communicating. This information is from the therapy manual Let's Talk About Talking.

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com for a continuation of the last show #322. My guest on that show is a mom whose child is nonverbal with a significant language delay. We walked through the checklist from Let's Talk About Talking and identified areas he needs to strengthen. One of the main things we kept coming back to was his lack of initiation - so this tells us this is a key skill he's missing that could unlock lots of other skills. Listen in as I provide some ideas to get her started working on this important area. 

Join Laura Mize, pediatric SLP, for this podcast. Link to CE credit: https://teachmetotalk.com/ceu_course/asha-ceu-course-459-expressive-language-milestones-by-36-months/ In this 14 part podcast series, learn all the language milestones from under 12 months to 48 months. We’ll break down all milestones for both receptive and expressive language into 6 month age ranges. In each show (as well as on the handout), we’ll define each skill, discuss its importance for language development, and then talk about the best strategies for targeting the skill in therapy sessions and at home. This information will serve as a fantastic reminder for typical language acquisition, as well as a great resource for parent education. In this course, we’re discussing the expressive language milestones acquired by 36 months. For speech-language pathologists, other therapists and professionals who work in early intervention and pediatrics, and parents of toddlers and preschoolers with speech-language delays. Recommended Toys & Resources Post

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she discusses late talking toddlers. Today's show is a real opportunity for SLPs and other therapists to listen as Laura guides a mom with a toddler who has significant speech-language delays using the treatment model from Let's Talk About Talking to discuss the 11 Skills Toddlers Master Before Words Emerge. Learn how to use the checklist with a mom to determine treatment priorities and make initial recommendations. Read more about this show and the treatment tool Let's Talk About Talking at teachmetotalk.com. 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she discusses ways to increase the likelihood that a child will initiate and communicate. Read the post at: http://teachmetotalk.com/2017/11/24/321-can-increase-childs-ability-initiate-choose-prompts/

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she discusses late talkers! In this podcast, we'll discusses a common problem therapists face... little friends who try to run away when you're supposed to be teaching them something!! I'll be talking with a therapist who is currently facing this situation with one of her clients. Listen in as we walk through the problem solving process!

Join speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S, CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she shares great ideas for working with late talking toddlers while you're riding in the car. Read the post here or cut and paste into your browser: http://teachmetotalk.com/2017/09/01/319-games-car-late-talking-toddlers/  

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S.,  CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she explains 4 speech and articulation disorders in children - speech delay, dysarthria, apraxia, and phonological disorder. We'll discuss tips for correctly identifying each one and recommendations for initial treatment plans for toddlers for each diagnoses. 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she discusses the treatment hierarchy she uses for treating toddlers with unintelligible speech. Read the full summary here:  

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.,S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as we discuss issues related to speech intelligibility in toddlers. Even toddlers who are typically developing can be difficult to understand! Almost every child uses sound substitutions or their own pronunciations. Learn what's normal and what's not. We'll also discuss treatment methods that work best for toddlers. Approaches for targeting speech intelligibility in older children are often developmentally inappropriate for children who are under 3, and even those who are 3 or 4, when there are other developmental delays. Listen to the show for ways to determine when a child is ready to target articulation and more importantly, for a list of first intelligibility targets in toddlers.     Want to hear more? This information is from a section of my course Early Speech-Language Development: Taking Theory to the Floor. CE credit is available for this 12 hour course on DVD.  Right now it's on sale for 20% off when you use the coupon code 20off. This offer is valid July 2017. If you're listening after this date and need a current coupon code, email me at Laura@teachmetotalk.com and I can help!    

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com to discuss parent coaching in early intervention and pediatric speech therapy. In today's show, I'm reviewing my parent coaching model. Many therapists get caught up in the trap of wanting to coach parents, but feeling uncomfortable and unnatural if it doesn't go as well as we'd like. Listen to my tips for making this process flow more smoothly for you - and for the families you're seeing!! The best part about this model is that it's EASY to remember & implement. Here are the highlights: Introduce, Do, Review “Introduce” the strategy – Discuss the technique and the rationale before the activity“Do” – Implement the strategy within an activity“Review” – Talk about how it went and plan your tweaks

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she discusses the variances in play we see among young children with developmental delays. We'll also spend the last half of the show talking about my 10 favorite ways to play with cars!

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP for a special show about toddlers with language delay who are bilingual. My guest is Becky Green, a trilingual speech-language therapist working in California. She has worked in both early intervention and in preschools with families from different language backgrounds since starting her profession as an SLP. Prior to that, she worked as an elementary educator (fifth grade teacher) and as well as an English teacher in Portugal. She is very passionate about multilingualism. Read the full summary of the show here. 

Join pediatric SLP Laura Mize of teachmetotalk.com for this course. Get CE credit here: https://teachmetotalk.com/ceu_course/asha-ceu-course-460-receptive-language-milestones-by-42-months/ In this 14 part podcast series, learn all the language milestones from under 12 months to 48 months. We’ll break down all milestones for both receptive and expressive language into 6 month age ranges. In each show (as well as on the handout), we’ll define each skill, discuss its importance for language development, and then talk about the best strategies for targeting the skill in therapy sessions and at home. This information will serve as a fantastic reminder for typical language acquisition, as well as a great resource for parent education. In this course, we’re discussing the receptive language milestones acquired by 42 months. For speech-language pathologists, other therapists and professionals who work in early intervention and pediatrics, and parents of toddlers and preschoolers with speech-language delays. Recommended Toys & Resources Post  

In honor of Mother's Day, join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she discusses ways to support parents of children with special needs. Read the post here.

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she discusses 7 behaviors or differences in children with autism that differentiate this diagnosis from other kinds of speech-language delays and disorders in toddlers and preschoolers. This information is evidence-based so you can trust it! Read the full list here. 

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she continues the topic of Solutions for Common Problems during play. This week we're discussing echolalia and strategies to keep interaction and play going when a child seems lost in her own words.