The Speech Link: A Speech Therapy Podcast

Ep 80 - The Neuroscience Behind Speech Movements: Practical Applications - Jayanti Ray, PhD, CCC-SLP

This episode explores articulation therapy, motor control, proprioceptive feedback, and neuroscience. Details are provided for the neural connections to acquire and maintain oral motor behaviors and the oral resting posture. Efficient neural programming of the tongue, jaw, lips, and velum enables optimal speed and precision of movement for speaking. What happens, and what do we do when it doesn’t?

Ep 79 - Why & How to Use Myofunctional Therapy to Remediate Complex Speech Sounds - Susie Appleman, M.A., CCC-SLP, COM®

The use of myofunctional evaluation and therapeutic strategies can be invaluable in the remediation of many speech sounds, such as, /l/, /s/, /z/, and /r/. In addition, the sounds are more likely to remediate if the tongue rests in the correct position. We’ll focus on students who can produce the targeted sounds in words, etc. but have difficulty generalizing them into spontaneous speech.

Ep 78 - Integrate Music in Fun & Functional Ways to Enrich Speech and Language Abilities - Rachel Arntson, MS, CCC-SLP

Have you ever wanted to use music in your therapy but were unsure how? Learn simple, direct, and fun methods from Rachel Arntson. She shares strategies to use music to improve imitation, receptive and expressive language, speech sound productions, sound blending, and more. Music is a “magical” tool to build social interaction and is a fun way to incorporate the home practice of targeted skills.

Ep 77 - Speech Clarity Strategies for Those with Down Syndrome when AAC is Recommended - Jennifer Gray, MS, CCC-SLP

Research states that speech use drives language use through phonological memory and motor planning. However, those with Down syndrome are often encouraged to use nonverbal strategies (sign language, AAC, etc.) ahead of their speech abilities. Is this the best and most beneficial? This course investigates the research, rationale, and several alternatives. Practical therapy strategies will be shared.

Ep 76 - Ambiguous Loss: Supporting Families During Stressful Times - Karyn Lewis Searcy, MA, CCC-SLP

This course defines ambiguous loss and how it can impact caregiver-child interactions. Ms. Searcy specifies how to assist families during stressful times and events, including the difficulties of communication disorders and delays. She covers the stressful details that caregivers can experience and how, if not addressed, it can negatively impact positive interactions and learning for the child.

Ep. 75 - How and Why to use the term “DLD” to Raise Awareness and Generate Connections - Holly L. Storkel, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Developmental language disorder (DLD) has gone by many names. Why does the name matter, especially when it doesn’t match the terminology used in schools (e.g., IDEA) or medical settings (e.g., ICD)? In this course, we will explore how and why you should share the term DLD with families and other team members.

Ep. 74 - Surprising & Practical Language Therapy Applications from a 1980s Research Study - Teresa Farnham, MA, CCC-SLP

Guest: Teresa Farnham, MA, CCC-SLP - We have explicitly known for over 3 decades that parents influence their child’s language development—especially vocabulary—with the quantity and quality of their input and interactions. In the 1980s, Hart & Risley conducted a remarkable research project examining the differences in preschool children's verbal environments. You’ll learn the pertinent and practical results that you can apply.

Ep. 73 - Reading Beyond the Book: How to Apply Interactive Reading with Young Children - Jacqueline Towson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Guest: Jacqueline Towson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP - This course outlines practical strategies to implement during shared interactive book reading.  Embedding techniques will be shared to facilitate language and emergent literacy skills with young children with language impairments, developmental disabilities, or those considered at-risk. Considerations for book selection, preparation, setting, and environment will be discussed.

Ep. 72 : Key Methods to Enhance Speech Sound Treatment Success - Holly L. Storkel, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Guest: Holly L. Storkel, Ph.D., CCC-SLP - This course presents a variety of practical methods to enhance and systematically guide treatment success for children with speech sound disorders. For example, did you know that selecting complex sounds as your treatment target can accelerate speech sound learning? Or, that there are better ways to contrast sounds than conventional minimal pair treatment? All of this and more will be explained in detail.

Ep. 71: The Underestimated Power of Chewing - Licia Coceani Paskay, MS, CCC-SLP

Guest: Licia Coceani Paskay, MS, CCC-SLP - This course provides an overview of chewing that’s been researched within the medical and dental fields. Chewing is an overlooked and underestimated function that has a significant and well-documented impact on swallowing. Implications are covered from infants to the elderly. Chewing should take a more prominent role, especially in swallowing disorders.