Kathy Hosty Interview

This week I sat down with Speech Pathologist and private practice owner of Metropolitan Speech Pathology Group, Kathy Hosty. Kathy has been in the business for over 20 years and is based out of Northern Washington, D.C. Recently she has become more and more interested in teaching kids to read.

We chat about the problems that those with speech problems face when learning to read, phonemic awareness, balanced literacy, auditory skills, and how those in our business have found the correlation between speech and reading setbacks.

To learn more about Kathy and how she may be able to help your kiddos today, visit her website at www.metspeech.com.

Shawn Leis Interview

In this week’s podcast I welcome Physical Therapist, Shawn Leis. Shawn started her practice in North Carolina but now has her main office in DC. She and her team not only offer PT but also Occupational Therapy through her practice. 

Shawn started her career helping adults but as of 10 years ago switched her focus soley on children. Her and I talk about many different concepts that we evaluate in early childhood development such as core strength, proprioception, milestones and warning signs. We also talk about some signs to look for when deciding if the child needs occupational therapy or physical therapy.

Watch the video to hear more. To learn more about Shawn and how she may be able to help, visit her website at https://littlefeettherapy.com/.

Carey Heller Interview

In this podcast I had the amazing opportunity to talk with coach and clinical psychologist Carey Heller. Carey runs his own practice and specializes in ADHD and executive functioning issues among children and even runs an executive functioning bootcamp.

Carey and I discuss evaluating the whole child, missed diagnosis and how those adults responsible for looking after and teaching our children can sometimes have different experiences when it comes to evaluating our children. We also chat about cognitive functioning, memory processing, and body regulation.

Watch the video to hear more from Carey. To find out more about what Carey does and how he may be able to help your child with their ADHD or executive functioning, visit his website at www.hellerpsychologygroup.com.

Rebecca Parent Interview

This week’s podcast showcases one of our SpeechKids parents, Rebecca. Rebecca shares with us how her 14 month old contributes around the house. Not only does he help with feeding the dog, but he loves to participate in helping out around the house.

This shows us that 14 months is old enough to do chores and it does not have to be a negative thing.

Watch the video to see more. To find out how to work with us at SpeechKids, shoot us an email at info@speechkids.com.

Michelle Mullaley Interview

In this week’s interview we feature the amazing Michelle Mullaley. Michelle is a clinical psychologist and co-owner of Bridges Therapy and Wellness Center in Fairfax. She specializes in helping improve mood, behavior and focus through proper nutrition and a healthy diet.

We talk about the different kinds of bacteria in our gut, the neurotransmitters responsible for our mood in our tummies and how proper nutrition can promote problem solving and troubleshooting skills. We also talk about the recent research in nutritional psychology, inflammation in the brain due to poor diet and what the bad bacteria does to our serotonin levels.

Watch the video to find out more about Michelle and what she does. Find out how to work with Michelle by visiting her website at www.bridgestherapyandwellness.com.

Meghan McAteer Interview

This week I had the pleasure of chatting with the owner of Splendid Speech Therapy and feeding and therapy expert, Meghan McAteer. 

Meghan and I spoke about the transition from breast and bottle to pureed foods and from pureed to solids. She let us know what that transition looks like for neurotypical children as well as those with developmental setbacks. We also talk about how children experience food and what they do to explore textures and new flavors. 

To find out more about Meghan and how she can help you and your child, visit her website at www.splendidspeechtherapy.com. 

Lisa Parent Interview

In this week's interview I was graced with the presence of SpeechKids parent and clinical social worker, Lisa. Lisa is the parent of 2 children that have been involved in early intervention and occupational therapy. 

Lisa and I talk about when she started noticing that her children might need early intervention, what changed with her children’s behavior, how the pandemic affected her household, and much more.

Watch the video to hear more from Lisa. To find out how we can help your child like we did with Lisa’s, visit shoot us an email at info@speechkids.com

Mairin Batten Interview

In this week’s interview I was graced with the presence of SpeechKids own, Mairin Batten. Mairin has been a Speech and Language pathologist for about 8 years and has secured her role here at SpeechKids as our veteran feeding and swallowing expert.

Mairin shares with us the type of client that she typically loves to work with, the surprisingly amazing results she has seen from teletherapy and some of the success stories she has experienced from her work as an SLP.

To find out how to work with Mairin, email us at info@speechkids.com to set up a consultation.

Patty Markey Interview

In this week’s interview I had the opportunity to talk with one of our more tenured therapists here at SpeechKids, Patty Markey. Patty is a crucial piece of our SpeechKids family and has helped so many of our clients over the years. We are forever grateful.

Patty shares what she has learned in her 35 years of experience as an SLP, how being a mom has contributed to her approach in therapy, and the type of client she enjoys working with the most. 

Watch the video to hear more about Patty’s passion, experience and how she fits so perfectly into our SpeechKids family. Email us at info@speechkids.com to find out how to work with Patty.

Katie Gurwell Interview

In this interview I had the pleasure of welcoming back psychotherapist, Katie Gurwell. Katie started her career working with children but now serves adults. Through her amazing coaching business. 

Katie talks with us about a broader look at our children and how the experiences they have may affect the way they parent their children in the future. We also talk about how some issues that we develop as children can lay dormant and not really affect our lives until we become parents ourselves. This causes triggers that keep us from being the best parents we can be.
Watch the video to hear more about this fascinating topic. To find out more about Katie and her practice, visit her website at www.katiegurwellcoaching.com.

Rebecca Parent Interview

In this week’s interview, I was blessed with the opportunity to sit down with another SpeechKids parent, Rebecca. Rebecca shares with us her journey into obtaining speech therapy for her son. 

Rebecca started noticing a lack of verbal communication very early on since it was her second child. She talks with us about the emotions involved, the coaching and feedback she received from those in her circle and the physical remedies that she tried before reaching out to get her son involved in an early intervention program that eventually led her here to SpeechKids.

Watch the video to find out more about Rebecca and her son’s journey into speech therapy and how microdosing and teletherapy has been working for them.

Erika Carreno Interview

In this week’s interview I sit down with trilingual SpeechKids speech therapist, Erika Carreno. Erika has been with SpeechKids for about 4 years and is not only a phenomenal speech therapist, but she also speaks English, Spanish and French.

Erika loves to teach articulation and help with those with stuttering. Born in Mexico, Erika also lived in Canada before coming to the US and joining our team as an amazing asset.

Watch the video to hear Erika talk about her journey in becoming a speech therapist, what she loves about it and her take on teletherapy. To find out if Erika is a good fit for your child, reach out to us at info@speechkids.com

Michele Parent Interview

I embark on another parent interview in this week’s podcast. I chat with Michele, who has an autistic child and has been through the entire run around involving addressing early warning signs, about finding the right therapist for her child, what made her nervous about starting speech therapy and what it is like to be the parent of an autistic child.

Michele shares with us her advice for those just starting out on the speech and language pathology journey with her child, picking her battles and having a second child without an autism diagnosis.

Watch the video to hear more about Michele’s amazing journey.

Beth Felsen Interview

In this week’s interview, I welcome back Success Coach and Self-Advocacy expert, Beth Felsen. Beth previously spoke on her role in helping those with developmental disabilities transition to college life away from the watchful eye and support of their parents.

This week, Beth and I get a little specific and talk about a very important part of that transition, Self-Advocacy. We speak on what that means, what it looks like when we practice it and why it is a little mored difficult for those with developmental disabilities to harness this ever important skill.

We talk about the three parts of self-advocacy and how each part plays a massive role in the success of those with autism in heavy transitional periods such as starting college away from home.

Watch the video to hear more about how to harness this exceptional skill and how Beth may be able to help. To find out more about Beth and what she does, visit her website at www.spectrumtransitioncoaching.com.

Devin Parent Interview

In this week’s interview I talk with Devin, the parent of one of our clients here at Speechkids. Devin is the parent of a late talker who we have been seeing since he was about 19 months old. 

Devin and I talk about his journey into and through speech therapy with his son. We talk about how he found out that his son might need some help, what roads he looked down before deciding on SpeechKids, and the progress his son has made through virtual teletherapy. 

Find out more about Devin and his son’s journey by watching the video.

Kelly Dorfman Interview

In this video I had the opportunity to sit down with author and licensed Dietician and Nutritionist, Kelly Dorfman. Kelly specializes in helping parents of children with developmental disabilities understand how food could be contributing to the disability or making it better.

Kelly and I speak about the effects of food that are not so obvious, allergy foods and how they might not show up in our systems in the way that we are used to seeing, and some of the other symptoms of not eating correctly. We also talk a bit about how food has changed in recent years and some outdated views on certain foods.

Watch the video to learn more. To find out how Kelly may be able to help you, buy her book, Cure Your Child With Food or visit her website at www.kellydorfman.com.

Beth Felsen Interview

In this week’s interview we go from our normal focus on youngsters and their development into college prep for those with developmental disorders. I had the opportunity to sit down with Success Coach Beth Felsen to talk about her role helping young adults and their families adjust to starting their college careers.

We talk about some of the pain points those on the spectrum experience when transitioning to a college environment, some of the tools they will need when figuring out how to manage their new independence, and how to start preparing them for these changes earlier in life.

To find out more about Beth and how she may be able to help you and your child make this transition easier, visit her website at www.spectrumtransitioncoaching.com.

Christine Raymond Winne Interview

In this week’s interview I sat down with one of our newest therapists and parent coach Christine. Christine has been with us since Summer of 2021 and has tons of experience with early intervention, parent coaching and parent education.

We chat about her past experience, what she loves about working with SpeechKids, and what drives her through her services here. She loves working with her clients on social pragmatics, sensory regulation and focusing on the whole child.

Watch the video to find out more about Christine. If you are interested in working with Christine, email us at info@speechkids.com.

Fern Andraos Interview

In this week's podcast I sat down with long-time SpeechKids therapist Fern Andraos. Fern has been with SpeechKids for about 10 years and was actually the third therapist hired. She has been with us through a very long stretch on the SpeechKids journey.

Fern talks with us about what her training was like, why she got into speech therapy, and what her ideal client looks like. We also touch on some of the amazing accomplishments that Fern has under her belt and what her passion is.

Watch the video to hear more about Fern.

Stephanie Frumkin Interview

In this week’s interview I had the pleasure of talking with educational consultant, Stephanie Frumkin. Stephanie has spent her career helping families understand options when it comes to special education needs.

We touch on the different school models, some challenges you may face with each of them, and the solutions she has found in dealing with schools and the special needs of children. Stephanie knows the challenges that parents face on a daily and yearly basis when it comes to advocating for the best interests of their children.

Watch the video to hear more about how Stephanie may be able to help you and your children. To find out more about Stephanie and her work, visit her website at www.exceptionaleducationalsolutions.com.

Charisse Sisou Interview

In this interview I spoke with author, coach, marketer and belly dancer Charisse Sisou. Charisse and I touched on many subjects but really focused in on the importance of giving your body what it needs, not only through nutrition and rest, but movement as well. 

Charisse found freedom and expression in belly dancing and has used it in a way to set herself free from all the beliefs she was holding about herself, her femininity and how she is “supposed” to hold her body. We talk about the past experiences changing what we think of ourselves and the roles we fill in our lives while encouraging the release of the stories that we hold onto based on these experiences.

Watch the video to hear more from this amazing woman. To find out more about Charisse, visit her website at www.shamelessmovement.com, pick up her book, Shameless: Unleash Your Message, Impact and Power off of Amazon, or discover her copy and content agency at www.claimyourmessage.com.

Christine Stevens Interview

In this week’s interview I chat with sleep expert Christine Stevens in order to dive into sleep in autism. Christine works as a sleep coach based in the Washington DC area in order to help those that are having problems sleep training their children and help them to lovingly help their children sleep through the night.

We talk about the bedtime routine, a “typical” sleep environment, and what activities can promote and prevent the sleep process. We talk about how the process differs for those with autism and how to promote sleep in those with autism in a loving and nurturing environment. 

Watch the video to hear more from a phenomenal sleep expert and find out how you can take the stress out of the bedtime routine.

To learn more about Christine and how she may be able to help you today, visit www.sleepsolutionsbychristine.com.

Keisha Berry Interview

This week’s podcast welcomes back Speechkids’ Speech Therapist, Keisha Berry. Keisha and I have a lovely discussion about the importance of play in your child’s life and development.

In preparation for school it is not as important to teach your children the things that they will be learning through their teachers and school work in your everyday life. The important part of early development is to teach them HOW to learn. The best way to do this is through play.

Keisha and I talk about how play can provide children with opportunities to learn problem solving, social communication, empathy, leadership and the natural consequences of their actions. They also learn independence and confidence through play. A lot of these skills are learned through experience, but also through them mimicking and watching the adult playing with them

Watch the video to hear more of this great conversation with Keisha and to find out how you can work with Keisha, get in touch with us through our contact page.

Wendy Taylor Interview

In this interview I sat down with Certified Educational Therapist, Wendy Taylor to discuss her role with Learning Essentials.Wendy has tons of experience with our educational system and uses her knowledge to help those kiddos with learning differences develop executive functioning skills that will help them to better handle the stresses of studying, socializing, prioritizing and focus.

Learning Essentials takes a systematic approach that works on processing information, attentiveness and memory as it relates to the specific school subject. We talk about the difference between a tutor and an academic coach, her research backed approach to helping kids, and how she involves kids through a multi sensory fashion. 

To learn more about Wendy and Learning Essentials, visit their website at  www.learningessentialsedu.com, or check out their Instagram page @learningessentials.

Jackie Beach Interview

Jackie Beach and I sit down to discuss how she helps families in her work with Rally Supports Families. Jackie uses her experience as mom, teacher and school administrator to help families better understand what they need, how that transitions to their children's lives and the emotions that may come up around being a parent. 

Rallys supports families through helping them understand what services are available to them, what services they are entitled to and how to go about advocating for those services in order to help your child get as much support as possible.

To find out more about Rally Supports Families, visit their website at www.rallysupportsfamilies.com or email Jackie at jbeach@rallysupportsfamilies.com.

Matt Douglas Interview

This week I was blessed with the amazing opportunity to talk with youth coach and meteor Matt Douglas. Matt helps teens and young adults navigate some of the life situations that educators don’t always have the opportunity to go over with our youth such as how to apply to college, how to balance their family, school and social lives and the necessary steps for moving into their own place.

Matt talks about the importance of having someone outside of the family to talk through tough situations with, why easy task sometimes feel so daunting and how he handles the feeling of overwhelm with his clients.

To find out more about Matt and how he may be able to help your young adult, visit his website at www.lifecoachingsd.com, or find him on Instagram @lifecoachingsd.

Jenna Umansky Interview

In this week’s podcast I was able to learn from Educational Consultant and ADHD Coach Jenna Umansky. Jenna and I had a great talk about IEP (Individualized Education Programs).

Jenna helps families advocate for their children with special needs and disabilities in order to make sure that our public schools are providing them the proper educational accommodations in their everyday learning. We talk about the process of getting an IEP, how to ask for what you need in your child’s IEP and how she can help to make sure that the IEP is not only working for your child, but also for your family.

To find out more about Jenna and how she can help visit her website at https://www.umanskyeducation.com. To find out more about IEPs visit https://www.understood.org. To get more information about special education law and rights, visit https://www.wrightslaw.com.

RLLC Interview

This week we are talking with Carla Askew and Susan Decker of Reading and Language Learning Center about dyslexia. 

Susan and Carla lend their expertise about what the early warning signs of dyslexia are, what is the usual age for diagnosing dyslexia, and how they are able to treat this neurological disability. We also touch on why kids without dyslexia may be reversing letters, what hemespheric integration is and what crossing midline means for those in early development. 

To find out more about RLLC visit their website at https://www.readingllcenter.com. To get more information about dyslexia visit https://dyslexiaida.org.

Evan Weinberger Interview

In this week’s podcast I sat down with Evan Weinberger, founder of Illuminous Academic Coaching & Tutoring to talk about how he helps children to learn not only the subjects assigned to them in school, but also the skills needed to successfully navigate those studies, life and their emotions as well. 

Evan helps kids that are struggling with their many responsibilities to better juggle their busy schedules, plethora of extra curricular activities, and home responsibilities, all while keeping stress and anxiety at bay. 

Watch the video to find out more about Evan and how he may be able to help. To learn more about Illuminous Academic Coaching & Tutoring visit their website at https://www.illuminos.co.

Claire Lerner Interview

In this week's interview I had the pleasure to chat with child development and parent expert, Claire Lerner.

Claire’s work with parents helps them to better understand their children and why they act the way they do.

We also talk about the reactions we have as parents and why we try to control our children’s reactions and behaviors. Claire is a true expert on the minds of children. Watch the video to hear more.

To find out more about Claire and how she is changing the lives of kids and their caregivers, visit her website at http://www.lernerchilddevelopment.com.

Jonelle Anamelechi Interview

In this week’s interview I was able to dive deep with Pediatric Dentist and owner of Children’s Choice Dentistry, Dr. Jonelle Anamelechi.

We talk about how the structure of a child’s mouth can not only affect speech and language development, but sleep patterns, breathing, nutrition and much more. 

Watch the video to hear more about Dr. Anamelechi’s take on her practice and how she prides herself in the relationships she forms with other pediatric care providers.

To find out more about Jonelle and her practice visit www.mychildrenschoicedental.com.

Sara Rosenfeld Jonson Interview

In this interview I had the absolute pleasure of hearing the amazing story of Sara Rosenfeld Jonson’s journey through becoming an SLP and working to implement OPT (Oral Placement Therapy) in the field of speech language pathology.

Sara is now retired, but her TalkTools trainings teach thousand of SLPs in the use of OPT in their practice today. Sara is an author, speaker, mother of 3, grandmother of 8 and devoted wife.

To find out more about Sara and her work throughout the years, check out her book Oral Placement Therapy for Speech Clarity and Feeding or visit the TalkTools website at https://talktools.com.

Suzanna Blahna Interview

In this video I had the privilege to chat with Suzanna Blahna about her role as a coach for those that are deciding whether to have kids or not.

Suzanna speaks with me about her own journey in deciding to have children, the pillars of her works that she dives into with her clients, how outside influences affect people who are considering parenthood, and the fears that she sees pop up in her clients.

Watch the video to find out about Suzanna’s process and how she may be able to help you make the decision to become a parent or to have another child. To find out more about Suzanna, visit her website at http://www.gnarledoakcoaching.com.

Melanie Pensak Interview

In this week’s interview I had the lovely opportunity to connect with one of my old colleagues, Melanie Pensak. Melanie is a Speech Therapist who has transitioned her practice to include a focus on mindfulness. She uses mindfulness, nature practices and meditation to help serve her clients and boost their success.

We talk about what mindfulness means when we work with kiddos, how Melanie helps her clients connect to their bodies, and the importance of being grounded, not only when learning something new, but when interacting with children as well.

To find out more about Melanie and her work, visit her website at http://www.melaniepensak.com.

Talk Yoga Interview

In this week's interview I was able to chat with Amy Roberts and Kim Hughes about their unique method for teaching language development. These 2 lovely ladies run Talk Yoga SLP where they use movement and fun to help children learn to communicate with their words.

We talk about how yoga helps the kids to not be distracted, have fun and feel every part of their body as they are learning to speak. It turns out that patterns of movements are very helpful when learning. The subconscious association between the movements and the words we are trying to teach them makes it easier to flow through therapy. 

Not only does yoga help to teach language, but it also helps to put and keep the kids in a regulated state, and if you have been following any of what I have been saying for years, you know that a dysregulated person has a really tough time learning. 

To find out more about Talk Yoga SLP and how they may be able to help you, visit their website at http://www.talkyogaslp.com.

Laura Lorenzen Interview

In this interview I sat down with Laura Lorenzen to discuss her experience helping families with their children’s IEP (Independent Education Program). Laura not only has worked within the special education system but also has experience with an adult daughter who has special needs. 

We talk about some of the struggles parents face when developing an IEP with their children’s school, how to advocate for a change in their children’s IEP and how to develop confidence surrounding being a part of their child’s IEP.

Watch the video to hear more about the rights you have as a parent and how to make sure your child is getting everything they need. To find out more about Laura and her practice, visit www.districtspecialed.com.

Robin Brannan Interview

In this video I sit down with the astonishing Robin Brannan. Robin is a marriage and family therapist who works with children and adults to build a healthy family relationship through not just therapy for the child, but for the parents as well. 

We chat about emotional regulation and how we tend to steer away from the activities that helped to promote emotional regulationwhen we were children as we get older. She touches on the need for parents to stay calm, and to respond rather than react when kids are having a hard time.

To find out more about Robin and her practice visit http://www.betterfamilytherapy.com.

Meredith Polsky Interview

In this episode I was graced with the opportunity to speak with Meredith Polsky about her work treating and guiding children with selective mutism. Meredith has been a driving force in the greater Maryland community helping those with selective mutism through Growing Minds Therapy. 

During this eye opening interview, we discuss some of the stigma around those who exhibit selective mutism and how their families are processing and dealing with this. We touch on how to best support your child, how to direct others to support your child, what to do, what not to do and why some kids are just shy and others have selective mutism.

Some believe it is a choice made by the child in order to gain or retain control when they feel out of control. In reality, selective mutism is not about control. Behaviors such as hitting, refusing to go to the bathroom and screaming are more geared towards gaining control, while selective mutism is more about sensory processing, brain function and anxiety in children.

Watch the video to hear more from the amazing mind of Meredith Polsky. To find out more about Meredith and how she is helping today’s youth, visit http://www.matankids.org, www.meredithpolsky.com or www.growingmindstherapy.com.

Michelle Buzgon Interview

In this interview I had the absolute pleasure to talk with ADHD coach Michelle Buzgon. Michelle has been helping those with ADHD and their families learn tools to prosper with this diagnosis since 2012.

During the interview we touch on subjects such as what the brain is experiencing with ADHD, when things start to change, what doesn’t help and some things that can contribute to the focus and learning through living with ADHD. We touch on emotional regulation and executive functioning and what development looks like in both. We also dive into medication and when it might be and might not be needed when dealing with ADHD.

To find out more about Michelle and how she may be able to help, visit her at her website at http://www.positivefocuscoach.com.

Screenless Teletherapy

In this video I sit down with fellow speech therapist Laura Colburn to talk about screenless teletherapy and how it has benefited both of us during this pandemic.

Not only have we found a new approach to providing therapy over video calls, but also to empower parents to learn some of the strategies and exercises that we use to help their kiddos. 

During screenless teletherapy, we are able to watch the parents’ interaction with their children through video call, but our screen is turned off. We then coach the parent through headphones while they relay what we are saying to the child.

For some, it works wonders, especially 2 - 3 year olds.

Watch the video to hear more about screenless teletherapy.

Growing Minds Therapy Interview

In this interview I got the opportunity to sit down with the highly intelligent and genuinely caring Jill Jerome and Orly Zimmerman of Growing Minds Therapy to discuss their approach to helping kids and families better understand their emotions. 

They work tirelessly to build a positive self-image and working communication skills through play and understanding the behaviors at the forefront of emotions. 

Growing Minds Therapy is located in Rockville, MD but has been helping children and families throughout the nation through their virtual platform. They have a great team of therapists and social workers that can help through play and social interaction outside of typical “talk therapy”.

To find out more about Orly, Jill and Growing Minds Therapy, visit them at http://www.growingmindstherapy.com.

Be sure to check out their Sunday Morning Story Hour for some socialization and learning through some powerful stories.

Allison Morgan Interview

This week’s interview with Occupational Therapist and Founder/Owner of Zensational Kids, Allison Morgan was enriching and enlightening. Allison has spent her entire career helping children with some common problems in development and learning that they may experience.

Allison discovered mindfulness and yoga about 18 years ago and wanted to find a way to incorporate it into her therapy sessions while still providing a supportive and calm environment for kids to learn.

We chat about how she is able to incorporate mindfulness into her teachings, issues she has faced with the new way of therapy through online sessions, the perks of the energy created through mindfulness and how it has helped parents be more proactive in their child’s therapy by working on themselves.

To find out more about Zensational Kids and Allison’s mission, visit her website at http://zensationalkids.com. Don’t hesitate to access their free e-book that includes tools for helping children through some common issues and learning opportunities they may face.

Jo Anne Matteo Interview

This interview with Jo Anne Matteo was very informative and fun. Jo Anne has spent nearly her entire career helping people of all ages learn to communicate. She started her career as a SLP in Connecticut schools and moved on to serve as a special education administrator. She has spent the last 20 years working with Pyramid Educational Consultants using PECS to support those learning to communicate in an easy and effective way.

PECS stands for Picture Exchange Communication System and uses prompting and pictures to help those who need it better understand how to communicate their wants, needs and feelings. Although PECS is not for everyone, research has shown that using visual assistance has greatly improved communication development in those that will develop language.

Visit Pyramid Educational Consultants website to find out more about how they help people all over the nation and the world. They also offer amazing resources for people around the world looking to help those closest to them including online lessons for dealing with common behavioral issues. The lessons include a recorded video, a lesson plan and a picture grid to help apply PECS to development.

Don’t forget to check out the entire book ofAutism 24/7: A Family Guide to Learning at Home and in the Community by visiting their website at https://pecsusa.com/in-home-support/.

Sally Neuberger Interview

This week's interview is with Potty Whisperer, Sally Neuberger. By trade and training, Sally is a Clinical Social Worker and has tons of experience with neurodiverse children. 

Through her experience in the Montgomery School District, Sally worked with other professionals close by to develop a process for potty training that seems to work for neurodiverse and neurotypical children alike. 

The best advice Sally can give is to not push your kiddo if they are not ready. They need not only the motor skills to go through physical motions of the process, but also the emotional development to understand what is expected through the process. 

Sally goes over the signs to look for when your child is ready, some hiccups that you may experience and a couple tried and true methods for helping to make potty training easier for kids and parents.

Find out more about Sally’s practice and how she can help by visiting www.sneubergertherapy.com or readysetgopotty.com.

Christina Royster Interview

During this week’s interview I sat down with Dr. Christina Royster to discuss AAC or Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

Christina works full-time for the Montgomery County Public Schools as a therapist but also has her own practice as a speech therapist, serving as many early speech learners as possible in her free time.

Christina has been exposed to speech and language therapy her entire life with her brother growing up with cerebral palsy and having his own exposure to the field of work. Christina decided in high school that she wanted to be a speech therapist and started her career in the classroom working with special needs students of all ages.

We had the opportunity to talk about some of the alternate therapies that Christina uses during her AAC sessions and how using technology and visual stimulants can help with the progression through learning speech and language.

We talked about the power of imitation, patterns and a sense of control can all contribute to a healthy learning journey for those that are speech and language challenged. We also talk about how nothing is guaranteed to work all by itself. That’s why we as speech therapists use different techniques and approaches in our practices.

If you want to learn more about Dr. Christina Royster, visit her website at https://www.playonwordstherapyllc.com.

Interview with Regina DeMeo

In this week’s podcast, I sit down with family law attorney, Regina DeMeo to discuss what she does and how she can help those involved in divorce keep it from being a completely negative and ugly experience.

Divorce is never easy. There is no way around it. But, we can do what it takes to make sure that it doesn’t leave those involved feeling defeated and broken. 

Regina talks prenups, separation and a collaborative divorce process that can leave some feeling relieved and accomplished once it is all over.

Find out more about Regina and the work that she does by visiting her website at www.reginademeo.com.

Interview with Stephanie Gerstenblith

In this week's video I had the opportunity to talk with Academic Therapist, Stephanie Gerstenblith.

Stephanie works with kids starting at about 1st grade and into middle school to help them learn to read. In this interview we talk about her process in assessing kiddos and finding out where their strengths are, as well as what to focus on and the disconnects that each child may be experiencing.

She goes over some early red flags to keep a lookout for in order to catch any problems early and talks about the importance of taking action while our kiddos' minds are still pliable and more easily influenced. Actions taken before our kids start to judge themselves based on their abilities will significantly help with self confidence and keep them from feeling that something is “wrong”.

To find out more about Stephanie and how she can help, visit her website at www.enhancingyourstrengths.com.

Podcast with Reading LL Center

I had an amazing opportunity to sit down with RLLC to talk about the importance of turn taking. Give it a listen to hear what turn taking helps to establish in your child’s behavior and emotional intelligence.

A huge thank you to everyone at The Reading & Language Learning Center for having me. To find out more about RLLC visit their website at https://www.readingllcenter.com.

Podcast with Mike Michalowicz

In episode 234 of the Profit First Podcast Gabriele Nicolet talks with Mike Michalowicz about how the Profit First model allowed her to take ownership of the financial part of her business so she could maximize her mission at Speechkids.

Mike has devoted his life to making successful entrepreneurship a whole lot simpler. To find out more about Mike’s work and how he can help you visit www.mikemichalowicz.com.

Podcast with Meg Brunson of FamilyPreneur

In this episode of the FamilyPreneur podcast Gabriele Nicolet chats with Meg Brunson about how she was able to grow her business by taking big leaps and crushing limits and how she has carried this into her private practice and her home life.

Meg Brunson is the founder and CEO of EIEIO Marketing, a digital marketing agency focused on Facebook Marketing for family-focused businesses. Check out her website at www.megbrunson.com to learn more Meg and her incredible work.