The SLP Next Door Podcast

When it comes to building attention to tasks in speech therapy for toddlers, we want to manage our expectations and reduce the stress of the activity. This means modifying the activities we present and offering the support necessary while also being realistic about our expectations from the toddlers we’re treating. 

My main objective is simple. Introduce the new concept of completing an activity to increase attention. In this case, we were transitioning from participating in "free-play"- meaning she opened the bag and picked the activity- to reducing her choices but still giving her the independence of choosing which item she wanted to use.I presented her with 3 options, all of which she has previously engaged with in other sessions. 

Often, simple tasks, such as putting a puzzle together- can feel like a giant task to a little one with language difficulties and short attention spans. We can reduce the overwhelm and stress of the situation by placing some of the pieces back and reducing the number that a toddler is expected to return. 

As they become more confident in their abilities to complete the puzzle (or other tasks), you’ll be able to raise the level of expectation for completion.​​​ It's also important to acknowledge their feelings in their moments of being overwhelmed and guide them through completing the task. 

I do not require toddlers to participate directly with me for the entire session. We typically engage in a structured activity for “x” amount of time (like a puzzle or book) take a break, and play something else.

I always follow their lead.  Sometimes, you may only have their undivided attention for 5 minutes. ​That's why it's important to be intentional with the moments you have their attention.

Over time and with consistency, these moments of sustained attention will increase.

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This week, one particular question from a parent stuck out in my brain, and I thought it might be helpful to you as well! 

I had a parent ask, “Can we not play so much?” That question can make us twinge. But my instincts told me there was more to this than mom was asking…and I was right.

Not everyone has a background of child development, grew up taking care of siblings or babysitting, or understands how important play is for their development, and not everyone learns strategies to encourage their child’s communication development.

Remember a few episodes, we talked about activities parent involvement? In this episode, Megan talks about a big one. When you ask a parent to provide more context or share their concerns, you’ve also gotta be ready to listen.

We must look at the situation from their perspective and listen to their concerns. We need to be the ones empowering parents and encouraging them to be actively involved in their speech therapy for toddlers because that's how we can see progress.

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In this episode, we talk about how to increase attention span.

I used to get frustrated, thinking I had to hold the toddler's attention to make progress. But here’s the thing: toddlers aren’t made to sit still. Their attention spans develop gradually, and knowing what to expect can make a world of difference in how we approach (and plan) our therapy sessions.

Between 8 and 15 months, babies can maintain attention to a task for up to 1 minute16-19 months: 2-3 minutes25-36 months: 5-8 minutes3-4 years: 8-10 minutes

Basically: a one year old can attend for one minute, two year old for 2 minutes, by 3 attend for at least 5 minutes and by the time they are 4…10 minutes.

These numbers are based on typical developing toddlers. Meaning no delays, disorders, or other difficulties in their development.

AKA: Not the ones we see in speech therapy for toddlers.

They’re going to need even more flexibility and support to stay engaged.

So, if you're having a hard time keeping littles on your caseload engaged during sessions, take heart, friend! It's normal.

The key is to remember that progress doesn’t always happen in a straight line, and a toddler's ability to attend to tasks increases over time. It may also parallel with other development they experience.

Here’s the encouraging part: while you might not always hold their attention, there are strategies you can use in your sessions to support and develop their focus over time. 

Share this podcast with a fellow SLP that could use some encouragement about the little ones on their caseload! You are not alone!

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Here are 5 easy tips for holiday stress you can empower parents with this holiday season. Each tip is also perfect for early intervention speech and language development! 

Keep Routines Consistent (as much as possible) Here’s what I mean by staying consistent: encourage parents to keep bedtimes, mealtimes, and quiet times as consistent as possible to help kids feel more secure. Try to plan for meals with familiar foods, bring comfort items like blankies and stuffies, and carry familiar toys. During routines, parents narrate and use simple phrases like “let’s eat” or “time for bed.” The repetition reinforces vocabulary while adding comfort to their day.

Talk Through Holiday Traditions & Plans Whether decorating a tree, lighting candles, or taking a vacation, remind parents to narrate what they’re doing to encourage language and help their toddlers understand what to expect. Parents can also involve their little ones in safe prep tasks like baking cookies or decorating. If families are traveling, encourage parents to involve their little ones in packing with simple choices or naming items. Talk about riding in the car or flying on the plane daily until it’s time to go. For example, if you see an airplane in the sky or on TV during the day, it’s the perfect opportunity to point it out: “Look! It’s an airplane! We are flying on an airplane soon to see grandma!” Offering these opportunities to know what’s going to happen before it happens- might prevent those major meltdowns in the airport. 

Practice Simple Social Phrases Holiday gatherings can be a lot for toddlers (and grown ups 🙃). Practice a few easy social phrases at home, like “Hi,” “Thank you,” "all-done" and “bye.” These phrases can help little ones stay involved in activities and communicate with family members. Remind parents that when a child communicates something to them- it’s very important they listen and honor that communication. Even if it means we don’t hug Aunt Linda. 

Build in Breaks Family gatherings can get busy! Encourage parents to create a calm down spot with a few familiar toys or favorite books. This space can help toddlers recharge, and parents can also model asking for a break (“I need a break”)—a helpful skill when toddlers are feeling overstimulated. these can also be applied for adults in the chaos too! Everyone needs an opportunity to get away from the chaos. Providing toddlers with a break can help prevent meltdowns and keep familarity in the uncertainty of the changes.

Celebrate! Most importantly, remind parents: the holidays are supposed to be FUN! Encourage parents to be gentle with themselves and celebrate small moments when things go well.

This episode of the podcast is a bit longer than usual. Several months ago, Megan was interviewed by Jessica Moore with Empowered Parenting. 

She and her team were gracious enough to share the audio so that it could be shared with you!

In this episode of 'Empowered Parenting with Jessica T. Moore,' host Jessica Moore speaks with Megan Peveto, a seasoned speech-language pathologist from Texas. They discuss the critical importance of parental involvement in a child's speech and language development, various aspects of speech therapy, and the impact of the pandemic on language deficits. Megan introduces her handbook on typical language development and explains the use of busy books for interactive learning. The conversation also covers the distinctions between expressive and receptive language, the significance of community and social interactions for children's language skills, and tips for parents to identify and engage with effective therapists. About Megan Peveto: Megan Peveto, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a certified speech-language pathologist specializing in early childhood communication development and has a passion for empowering fellow professionals and caregivers. Her extensive experience in both general speech-language pathology and autism/special education serves as the foundation for her comprehensive approach to fostering language and communication skills in young children. Driven by a commitment to accessibility and practicality, Megan founded "The SLP Next Door," a dynamic platform dedicated to providing high-quality resources and support for those working with toddlers and preschoolers. "The SLP Next Door" serves as a virtual hub where speech-language pathologists, educators, and caregivers can access evidence-based strategies, engaging activities, and insightful guidance tailored to the unique needs of early communicators. Megan's expertise and dedication to her field have garnered recognition and respect within the speech-language pathology community. Her ability to translate complex concepts into actionable solutions has made her a sought-after resource for those seeking to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young children. Through "The SLP Next Door," Megan continues to inspire and equip others with the tools necessary to foster a lifelong love of language and communication.

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In this episode of The SLP Next Door, I am continuing my conversation with Venita from Speechie Side Up about the incredible benefits of AAC in early intervention. Venita helps break down the stigma surrounding AAC—it's not just about high-tech devices, but an essential tool for all children, including toddlers with expressive language delays.

You can catch up on our conversation: Part 1 and Part 2

Venita shares valuable tips on introducing AAC: building relationships with parents, modeling sign language, using functional words, and offering choices through visuals and objects. She also shares strategies for accessing loan devices and how to continue conversations with parents about implementing AAC at home.

Feeling unsure about where to start with AAC? Venita tackles this common concern among SLPs and provides incredible advice on what to do when you're feeling stuck. Whether you're new to AAC or looking for fresh insights, this episode is a must!

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Venita from Speechie Side Up (you can find episode 1 here). 

Venita answers the question, "What are Augmentative Alternative Communication Devices?" She also discusses the importance of incorporating a child's individual needs when deciding on a device and form of communication, including gestalt language processors. 

In this episode, I'm joined by the incredible Venita from Speechie Side Up! Join us for part 1 of 3 in our conversation about AAC in early intervention. In this episode, Venita answers the question: "what is AAC?" She discusses the variations of AAC including aided vs unaided AAC, High Tech vs Low Tech AAC, and RTI Tiers of AAC.

Be sure to share this episode with a fellow SLP! 

Come back next week for part 2 of our conversation. 

Venita is an Assistive Technology (AT) Consultant in south Florida. She is passionate about using AAC, AT, and literacy to support individuals with complex communication needs, autism, and other diagnoses. Venita has worked as a research and teaching assistant in the FAAST Atlantic Regional Assistive Technology Demonstration Center, assisted in clinical research projects, and presented on several topics related to AAC at local and national conferences. 

She co-authored two articles published in ASHA Leader’s online publication and the Lou Knows What to Do book series published by Boys Town Press. In 2018, Venita started utilizing the power of social media to empower and motivate educators across the country through the Speechie Side Up podcast, blog, Instagram, and YouTube channel. When she’s not dominating the world of AAC, Venita loves being a girl mom, cycling, and going on adventures with her husband.

Hey friend! I am so excited that the SLP next door podcast is GROWING! Let’s keep this momentum going. Be sure to share this episode with a friend or colleague. You can also help others find it by leaving a rating and review.

Social stories were initially created by Carol Gray. In 1989, Carol began writing stories for her students to share information they seemed to be missing. Many of the stories resulted in immediate and marked improvement in her students’ responses to daily events and new situations. Nowadays, social stories have become quite common amongst those working with Autistic children and special education. As a speech therapist, you’ve probably even heard about them. Maybe you’ve used them with some of the Autistic children on your caseload.

The message I want to give you today is about using social stories with any of the little ones in speech therapy for toddlers, the ones having a hard time with transitions, not understanding routines, and expressing themselves through challenging behaviors. 

Research shows that reading social stories to those experiencing difficulties in certain situations is beneficial. Why? Social stories are designed to explain things in a way that is easy to understand. Plus, they provide real-life examples of how to respond to situations or how to use different behaviors/methods of communication to get a message across. 

In this episode, we also talk about how to write social stories. Introduce the concept, address the areas of concern (behaviors, fears, new experiences), describe the new experience and how to respond, talk about the experience and then transition to how it will end. 

Another aspect to consider when using stories is when to do so. There are 2 ways to do this.

Just like responding to a behavior, you want to introduce social stories when you notice a child experiencing difficulty with a situation. This is not to say that if you see a child biting another child, your response needs to be shoving a social story in their face immediately. It won’t work, especially if they’ve never been exposed to the concept of a social story before. Instead, you’ll want to introduce the social story outside of the behavior occurring. In other words, include reading the social story into the child’s daily routine. Then, when they find themselves in the scenario, remind them of the story and different ways to handle it. You might also want to read the story before you know the child is in a situation where the behavior might occur (like before school or daycare). If possible, the child can also carry the social story with them so an adult can help remind them of the necessary strategies. 

The other way to use social stories is by introducing them before the event occurs. If you know something new is coming up that your child hasn’t experienced before, start reading the social story. An example of this is a haircut. Haircuts are planned so you can incorporate the story and help the child understand what is happening. Then, on the day of, you’ll read it again before the haircut and celebrate the victory (no matter how big or small) of achieving the goal. Moving forward, each time the child gets a haircut, read the story beforehand until they no longer need it. 

 Some social stories also include visuals and helpful handouts to be used for additional support.

Social stories are awesome and available in a variety of contexts. They can be extremely beneficial for unexpected behaviors, routine changes, or new experiences!

Grab your free social story HERE! 

In this episode of The SLP Next Door podcast, we are putting our words into action. We've talked about the importance of determining the "why" or function of a behavior. 

In this episode, you'll learn about creating a behavior intervention plan [of sorts] through parent involvement and implementing strategies that can help a child reduce the behavior and increase their functional communication skills. 

When we empower parents to use their daily interactions and activities intentionally, we help them show their toddlers they can replace their behaviors with communication skills. Afterall, those day to day interactions are the best times to model new vocabulary, offer choices, or narrate what’s happening.

The strategies in this episode include: 

• The importance of using power words and words that are familiar to a toddler's routine 
• Empowering children to make choices 
• Implementing a variety of visual communication techniques

You'll also learn the importance of encouraging parent involvement by providing simple strategies such as narrating activities, introducing turn-taking, and celebrating small victories. Therapists should support parents and encourage their participation while working together to implement techniques and strategies that fit a parent/caregiver's daily routine and benefit the child. 

Remember, friends, all behavior is communication. It’s not always the most functional form of communication, but behavior is often effective because it does elicit some type of response. When parents/caregivers and therapists collaborate, you can create a behavior intervention plan to increase a child's communication skills, which in turn often reduces their challenging behaviors. 

Check out the handbook for SLP early intervention and speech therapy for toddlers, Communicate & Connect!

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Thanks for being here, friend!