Are you or your child having trouble with the /r/ sound and wondering if you can change it? Difficulty pronouncing the /r/ sound is very common because /r/ is one of the most tricky sounds in the English language to pronounce. This speech problem is known as a rhotacism. In this article, we review the causes, characteristics, and prognosis for rhotacism. We also provide speech therapy tips for helping to pronounce the letter R better.

Goo Goo Gaga. Mama. Dada. When do babies start babbling? Are you eagerly awaiting the day that your baby begins talking? Learn about the early stages of language development and how to foster communication skills in your young child.

Have you felt that it is difficult to be understood when speaking with your face-covering in place? Or have you felt that your voice feels strained or that you have throat pain from speaking with your mask on? If so, read on for tips to improve your communication while wearing a mask.

Your voice has the power to completely change what others think of you. Do you like the sound of your speaking voice? Do you feel like your voice is too soft, too nasal, monotone, quiet, or too loud? If the quality, pitch or volume, or tone of your voice is not where you think it should be, then voice therapy may be the solution. Read on to learn more about what voice therapy is and how you can keep your voice healthy to avoid future voice problems.

When the quality, volume or pitch of the voice is different from what is considered normal for other speakers of the same age, gender and cultural background, it may be indicative of a voice disorder. The causes of a voice disorder can vary widely. A speech-language pathologist can help with certain voice disorders. For more information, and to learn how we can help with a voice problem, read on.

With a busy family schedule its hard to find time for meaningful discussions with children. Finding ways to connect with your child is not only good for boosting their confidence but also provides them an opportunity to share what’s on their mind. The back and forth communication exchange between child and adult is an excellent way to stimulate language in young children. Here are 15 helpful conversation starters to take advantage of after school pickup or dinner time.

If you are new to online speech therapy, then we’ve got you covered! Here are some great tips to get you ready for your first speech therapy session.

You may hear other terms used such as telemedicine, online therapy, teletherapy, telespeech, etc., but they are all referring to the same concept. With telepractice a person in need of speech, language, voice or swallowing therapy/evaluations will receive all of the benefits of high-quality in-person therapy without having to travel to a clinic or hospital to receive the services.

To make a positive impact on your child’s social communication and language development, you should prepare yourself for success. If you set a little time each day to teach new communication skills to your child, eventually your practice will pay off.

I always get asked from new parents, “How can I help my child learn to talk”. There’s actually a fairly easy solution and after some practice it will come naturally. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Have you been wondering if your child’s speech or language should be evaluated but aren’t sure if it is time yet? When in doubt, go with your instincts because it may be time for help! Read on to learn more about milestones and have all of your questions answered about getting an evaluation by a speech language pathologist.

A new, nationwide effort to educate the public about communication disorders was recently launched by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)—a professional association of which I am a member. Called Identify the Signs, this campaign specifically aims to help people recognize the early warning signs of communication disorders. Read on to learn more about how to identify the signs of speech and language disorders in children.

The number one routine to teach talking and communicating is play. Why play? Because all children learn through play. Play is fun and is a natural part of a child’s development. Play also creates the desire for your child to talk and communicate.

Language is the primary way we communicate, but it doesn’t always come easy for children with physical or cognitive delays. A speech therapist can help.

Reading aloud helps to make reading fun, strengthens your child’s speech and language skills, helps develop early literacy skills and instills in your child a future of loving to read. Check out my top children’s book recommendations and extension activities!