Teach Me To Talk

Latest Episodes:

#261 When No One Diagnosis Fits... How to Treat Toddlers Without a Diagnosis May 21, 2015

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Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she answers a mother's questions about her little boy who is a "mystery" to his evaluators. Will NOT having a firm diagnosis negatively affect treatment outcomes? Can we select a treatment approach without a diagnosis? Listen in as we discuss her questions. Here's the link where the original question was posted so you can read my written response to her. The question was from May 20 from "Mom." Have a Question? I'm Here to Help!

#260 Should I Focus on Artic or Not with my 3 year old with Autism? A Mom Calls May 13, 2015

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Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of www.teachmetotalk.com as she talks with a mom about prioritizing her 3 year old son's treatment plan. Here's part of her original question... Hi Laura. I have a 3 year old diagnosed with autism and is suspected to have apraxia. He doesn’t have much of a problem in the receptive language department, as he understands the majority of what is being asked of him. When he communicates, he usually uses some gestures or words/approximations. He has a little over 50 different words/approximations...but he has yet to say the majority of them accurately. He will verbally communicate what he wants on his own by pointing and naming objects, saying “opo” when he wants something open or “uhpah” for up if he wants to be held or get something out of reach. He does like to label objects, but knows their functions. For example, if he sees a crayon, he will point and say “cay” and if I ask what we do with crayon, he will say “dah” for draw. He will often say the first two letter sounds of words that are usually CV and VC. (ba – ball; pehpeh – pretzel; opo – open; ow – out). He also often deletes the final consonant....I replied to her questions down the thread in this post: Have A Question? I'm Here to Help! But today I'm giving her an "on air" consult, especially with models of how to do backward chaining with a toddler. Don't miss it!

#259 Understanding the Chart from Building Verbal Imitation in Toddlers Book Apr 24, 2015

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#259 Understanding the Chart from Building Verbal Imitation in Toddlers Book Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP from teachmetotalk.com as she discusses issues related to toddlers with speech-language delays. Here's a question I receive at least weekly from a mom or an SLP: "Dear Laura.... I've purchased your Building Verbal Imitation in Toddlers book and am using it with a few of my kiddos. I've skimmed the entire book and am having success with some of my harder clients that weren't making any progress before, but I don't understand when to progress a child to the next level. How long do I work on skills in one level before moving on? Can you point me to your specific criteria for each level in your book? I also think it would be helpful to list that information on your chart." I wish it were that simple!! In this week's show, we'll discuss how I use "the chart" diagnostically with toddlers with expressive language delays and how to use the information to plan therapy goals and activities for sessions. Get the book Building Verbal Imitation Skills in Toddlers If you're a pediatric therapist, take the CE course Steps to Building Verbal Imitation in Toddlers!

#258 Helping a Toddler Become More Vocal Apr 17, 2015

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Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S, CCC-SLP for a rare opportunity as she talks with a mom and the SLP working with her 2 1/2 year old who is yet talking. This child has had a complex history due to a rare genetic mutation, BUT his mom has devoted herself to helping him learn to communicate. Listen to this great show, not only for ideas you can try with your own late talker, but for inspiration! Mom and SLP both are using ideas from my books Building Verbal Imitation in Toddlers and Teach Me To Talk: The Therapy Manual during speech therapy and at home. Check it out for yourself to get recommendations for strategies that WORK to address both expressive and receptive language goals for toddlers.

#257 Help! My Son Will NOT Sign... A Familiar Question from a Frustrated Mom Apr 09, 2015

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Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of www.teachmetotalk.com as she answers the following question from a frustrated mom: “Hi Laura. Your videos and books have been a great help for our son. I have a question about sign language. We have been working with my son on signing for about 4 months and progress has been slow. He understands some signs but will not do them by himself. When I say a word and show him the sign he holds his hands out for me to do the sign with his hands. He will not do a sign without my help. He will even push my hands together for more and then hold his hands out but will not push his own hands together. Hoping you might have a suggestion for this. My son is 2 1/2 and is Autistic. He does not use any words yet. Thanks.” I have 5 or 6 different reasons he's not signing yet and then even more options for her. Listen for my advice! Read the written version of this question and reply.

#256 New Siblings and Late Talking Toddlers... Oh My! Mar 19, 2015

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Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of www.teachmetotalk.com as she answers a mom's question about her late talking toddler since the arrival of a new baby... "I hope you can help me! We bought your dvd for our daughter who will be 3 in April. Before our second daughter was born (in August), she would name everything we pointed to. She would tell us the color of things animal sounds, etc. Since the new baby, she refuses to answer these questions. We know she knows them because she will be in the room alone and say "What's this? A horse! Nay!" And occasionally she will answer them for us. But hardly ever. She also prefers to say "Thirsty" instead of "I am thirsty." which she CAN say. Same thing for "I want...." She prefers to say "Muffins" instead of "I want muffins" but she occasionally says the whole thing. When we ask her to say it, she gets upset. A while ago, she would scream "THIRSTY - AHHHH!" and we would try to get her to not scream. She stopped saying it altogether, so we are trying to avoid that again. Can you help us? Our insurance does not cover speech therapy and the person who came to us with early intervention didn't believe she could speak at all. We are trying just to repeat what we want her to say but give her what she wants but we're getting nowhere. Same thing with the labeling questions. We followed your DVD and she follows everything perfectly, it's just these other things. Thanks so much for your time!" Tune in for my ideas! It may not be what you think!!

#255 Goal Writing, Fatigue during Therapy, The Power of Distraction and more! Mar 11, 2015

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In this episode pediatric Laura Mize, M.S, CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com answers a variety of questions from SLPs and parents. We'll talk about how I write goals for toddlers and young preschoolers for speech therapy, what it means when a toddler is fatigued during therapy (it may not be what you think!), and why DISTRACTION is one of the most powerful tools you can use when working with our little friends. If we have time, we'll even tackle a mom's questions about handling her toddler's language regression since the arrival of a new baby. All that and maybe even a little more on this week's show!!

#254 Cute Ideas for Valentine's Day for Toddlers in Speech Therapy Sessions Feb 09, 2015

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I love Valentine's Day, don't you?? Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she discusses cute ideas to use during therapy with toddlers for Valentine's Day. All ideas are listed here in this post. In the post you'll also find links to FREE Therapy Tip of the Week videos with even more ideas! Hope you enjoy these ideas with your little sweethearts!

#253 Answering Questions about The Onset of Autism and Jargon in Late Talkers Feb 06, 2015

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Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she answers questions from 2 different therapists today. A developmental therapist writes of witnessing the onset of autism in a little client she's working with and how difficult it's been to watch him decline. She needs ideas for how to proceed with treatment since he's been formally diagnosed. The second question is from an SLP who is working with a set of spunky twins who are using lots of jargon. We'll talk about the various reasons kids use jargon and more importantly, provide some specific recommendations and strategies for therapy and for their parents. I hope you'll join me!

#252 Ideas for Toddlers Who Don't Sit Still for Speech Therapy Jan 27, 2015

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Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she provides ideas for a mom who complained that her child can't sit still to work with her on developing language and has difficulty maintaining attention during therapy sessions. From Laura... Here's the truth... MANY late talking toddlers can't (not WON'T) sit still. We'll BRIEFLY talk about why that is and then move on to ideas that WORK for our friends who need to move, move, move. Here's a list of things I do with my busiest little friends: Do what they like!Decrease demands overall so that a child doesn't feel "forced." Participation is your ONLY goal. This can dramatically help!!Don't sit... MOVE! Target language during gross motor movement or outside playground activities such as sliding, jumping on a trampoline, swinging, etc...Try social games where moving is a part of the game - Ring Around the Rosies, Row Row Your Boat, Ride a Little Horsie - verbal routines during those games to target receptive and expressive language.Introduce play that involves moving - improvise a basketball game even without a hoop, bowling, launcher toys, and relay gamesWork on Structured Teaching Tasks - TEACCH methodOver time begin to alternate activities move - sit - move - sitModify a child's space so that movement is less of an option. Beware....belting them into a high chair is usually NOT a good option! Don't try strategies for older children like "if/then." Many times our little friend DON'T understand that promise.Reinforce sitting.

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