“Presuming competence” is one of the most important, valuable elements of working with any child. It is a core element of neuroaffirming care.

For neurodivergent children, especially Autistic children, it is essential. Many children may not demonstrate understanding or express themselves in the same ways as neurotypical peers, but that does not mean understanding isn’t there.

When families begin speech therapy, one of the most common questions is: “How long will it take for my child to start talking?”

It’s a very understandable question. Parents want to know that the time, energy, and resources they are investing will help their child communicate more easily.

Let me be clear here: progress in speech therapy often doesn’t happen all at once. Instead, it tends to happen through many small steps that gradually build over time.

I would argue that these small moments,  the “little wins”,  are often the most important signs that communication is growing.

It might feel early to think about summer plans in March, but when it comes to speech and language support, planning ahead can be incredibly helpful for families.

Many parents start noticing communication questions during the school year but wait until summer to explore additional support. By thinking about it now, you can make thoughtful decisions about what might best support your child during the months ahead.

Summer can be a wonderful time to focus on communication growth in a way that feels relaxed, flexible, and integrated into everyday life.

Here are a few ways a speech-language pathologist (SLP) might support your family this summer.

When families begin looking for an SLP for their child, one of the first questions they often ask is: “Why in-home services?” or “Wouldn’t it be better ot be in a clinic?”

While clinic settings can be helpful for many children, in-home therapy offers a unique advantage: it allows support to happen right where your child naturally communicates, plays, and interacts every day.

Let’s talk some more about what that means.

Spring is springing this week for New Jersey! When families ask how to support speech and language development at home, one of my favorite answers is simple: go outside and play.

Outdoor play naturally creates opportunities for communication. Children are moving, exploring, problem-solving, and interacting with their environment — all of which support language development.

The best part? Many outdoor activities can support speech, language, and AAC use at the same time.

Below are a few simple outdoor play ideas and ways you can personalize them to what you & your child might be working on.

This post talks about pretend play & why it matters so much. It matters SO much, that we incorporate it into our evidence-based practices at CB Speech Therapy LLC.

What is “presuming competence”? What does that look like in real life?

In this post, I will talk all about presuming competence and why it is at the core of a lot of my work at CB Speech Therapy LLC.

When parents hear “early support,” they sometimes worry it means something is seriously wrong. Read more about how early support is a proactive, empowering step that helps children communicate more effectively during the years when their brains are most flexible and taking so much in.

Supporting your child’s language development doesn’t require extra time, special materials, or perfectly-planned activities that you saw on Instagram.

Some of the best opportunities for language learning happen during everyday routines. That means meals, bath time, getting dressed, and play.

My goal with this post is for you to feel empowered to intentionally incorporate language into your everyday routines.

If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “How many words should my child say by age two?”, you’re not alone.

Speech and language milestones can be helpful, but they can also feel overwhelming or maybe even anxiety-provoking. There are a lot of things to read out there!

My goal in this post will is to help you better understand what milestones are, how to use them appropriately, and when to seek support.

Before words come connection.

Connection is at the core of why we communicate & communication is how we connect. So why wouldn't that be a huge focus of good, speech-language therapy. In this post, I’ll elaborate a bit more on what that looks like.

When parents hear the term AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), it often comes with a lot of questions — and sometimes a lot of fear.

AAC is not a last resort, and it is not only for children who will never speak. In fact, research consistently shows that many children — both speaking and nonspeaking — can benefit from AAC to support communication, language development, and participation in daily life.

Let’s break it down using the AAC 5 W’s (and How) in a clear, parent-friendly way.

Parents often ask: “How can I help my child speak more clearly?” Supporting speech development at home is one of the most powerful ways to complement therapy.

At CB Speech Therapy LLC, I provide private-pay, in-home pediatric speech therapy in New Jersey, and I’m passionate about giving families practical, research-backed strategies they can use every day.

In this post, I’ll share 5 things you can do today to support your child’s speech development.

Parents often wonder how they can help their child’s speech and language skills at home. Even a few minutes of intentional interaction each day can make a big difference.

At CB Speech Therapy LLC, I provide private-pay, in-home pediatric speech therapy in New Jersey, and I love empowering families with practical strategies they can use right away.

In this post, I’ll share 5 research-backed things you can do today to support your child’s language development.

What to Expect in Speech Therapy