Unbabbled: Recent Episodes
The Parish School
Navigating the world of special education, communication delays and learning differences can be a challenge. Tune in twice a month to hear Stephanie Landis and Meredith Krimmel, two speech-language pathologists at The Parish School in Houston, Texas interview guests from parents to industry professionals with the goal of providing guidance, insight and hope to those touched by children who are differently wired. Each episode will cover a different topic related to education or child development. Whether you’re the parent or caregiver of a neurodiverse child who has autism, a speech-language delay or a learning disability, or you’re an educator who works with special needs children, this show is for you.
In this episode, we sit down with Judy Blake, the community outreach liaison at Innerlight Community Advocates, to discuss finding resources to support children and their families. Throughout the episode, Judy shares her personal experiences as a parent and her professional experience supporting families through her roles in a variety of Texas-based organizations. She provides both general advice applicable to families everywhere, as well as specific resources for those in the Houston area.
Innerlight Community Advocates is a community-based behavioral health agency in Houston,Texas that provides wraparound and outpatient services. Judy also is a family faculty and board member of the LoneStar LEND Program where she works with medical residents, fellows, graduate students and professionals throughout an interdisciplinary training model. Judy is the co-coordinator of the Harris County Community Resource Collaboration Group, co-chair of the IDD Public Advisory Committee, and vice chair of the Mental Health Public Advisory Committee at The Harris Center for Mental Health. She previously worked at Family-to-Family Network, a Houston non-profit that provided programs that empower families of children and young adults with disabilities.
Judy’s most cherished role is being a mother of two adult sons. Her younger son was diagnosed at a time when autism spectrum disorder was unknown to many, so she quickly became his advocate, always ensuring that he was living a meaningful life.
Links:
Texas Project First
Navigate Life First
Insurance and Financial FAQ
Special Education Information
Medical Wavers
Family to Family Network
Innerlight Community Advocates
Lonestar LEND Program
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In this episode, The Parish School’s Curriculum Specialist Laura Causey, MAT, CALP and Speech-Language Pathologist Stephanie Landis, MS, CCC-SLP discuss the differences and similarities between curriculum modifications, classroom accommodations and differentiation. Laura and Stephanie are a part of the elementary leadership team at The Parish School working collaboratively to design and align the elementary curriculum. Throughout the episode, they explain what it means for a curriculum to be aligned with state standards, give examples of ways curriculum can be modified to support students’ specific needs, provide examples of common accommodations given to students, explain differences and similarities of modifications, accommodations and differentiation. Laura and Stephanie also touch on the difference between a therapeutic school and a school that has access to classroom accommodations or individual interventions outside of the classroom. In addition, Laura provides a variety of questions parents can ask when speaking to schools regarding their curriculum. Finally, they also discuss the co-teaching model used at The Parish School and how it is conducive to the use of accommodations, modifications and differentiation within the curriculum.
Laura earned both her bachelors and masters degree in Teaching from Louisiana State University. Before coming to The Parish School in 2017, Laura was a 3rd grade teacher in Spring Branch ISD and at an inner-city Houston charter school, where she taught general studies, math and science. At The Parish School, she taught in the Lower and Upper elementary classrooms and provided reading intervention before moving into the Curriculum Specialist role.
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In this episode, we speak with licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Saporito, PhD, about gender differences in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) presentations and the less frequently identified and talked about type of ADHD that often includes traits of inattentiveness, perfectionism and being rule bound. Dr. Saporito discusses both the stereotypical ADHD presentation and other ways children, especially girls, can present with ADHD. She also discusses ways parents and educators can help identify this type of ADHD and gives tips for families on ways to support all children diagnosed with ADHD.
Dr. Saporito is the clinical director of Integrative Psychology Associates of South Jersey with over 20 years of clinical experience. She earned her BA from Boston University and her MA and PhD from Drexel University. Dr. Saporito sees a wide range of clients, with a specialty in diagnosing and treating children and adults with ADHD and Autism spectrum disorder. She is passionate about educating medical and mental health providers, as well as clients, about the different presentation by gender of children with neurodevelopmental differences. When she is not working, she is raising her family, gardening, cooking and trying to practice all of the things she teaches her clients.
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In this episode, we speak with pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Ho, MD, FAAP, about concierge medicine. Dr. Ho is the Medical Director of Texas Children's Pediatrics Concierge Medicine Program – a program he recently helped bring to Texas Children’s. Throughout the episode, Dr. Ho discusses what concierge medicine is and how the delivery model differs from the traditional medical model. He also discusses who may benefit from concierge medicine and why he chose this delivery model.
Dr. Ho has a bachelor's degree from Brown University in neuroscience, attended McGovern Medical School and completed his residency training at Texas Children’s Hospital. He joined Texas Children’s Pediatrics PMG after graduation. After decades of practicing medicine, Dr. Ho began the Concierge Medicine program in 2024 at Texas Children’s. In addition to speaking English, he also speaks Cantonese Chinese and Spanish. Dr. Ho is passionate about giving children and families the highest standard of care and is passionate about direct communication with patients and a comprehensive approach to health that encompasses not just physical well-being, but emotional and developmental needs as well.
Links:
Texas Children's Concierge
The Parish School
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In this episode we speak with mental health professional Josie Gardner about ways to navigate tricky conversations with loved ones regarding our child and their needs, diagnosis, challenges and strengths. Josie discusses the positives, and possible negatives, of directly naming and speaking about a diagnosis your child might have. She also gives tips and scripts to help you navigate those conversations while acknowledging they can be emotionally challenging for everyone. Josie’s tips will hopefully help parents feel empowered and secure in handling these tricky conversations.
Josie Gardner is a Social Emotional Support Specialist at The Parish School in Houston, Texas. She is a licensed social worker, who earned her master’s degree in social work (MSW) from The University of Houston. Prior to being at The Parish School, Josie has experience working in childcare and afterschool care programs. She believes in extending patience and support to children as they learn and explore the world around them and is passionate about supporting families.
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In this episode Dr. Natalie Montfort, PhD discusses eloping. She shares what it means for a child to elope or wander and where and when it can happen. She also answers questions about which children are most at risk of eloping and ways families and caregivers can prepare themselves. Throughout this conversation Dr. Montfort provides research-based information for families aimed at empowering, not worrying.
Dr. Natalie Montfort, PhD, works at Montfort Psychology Associates in Houston, Texas. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University, completed her doctoral internship at the UTHealth Science Center and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at The Stewart Center. Dr. Montfort has worked with children and adults with ASD since 2002. She has experience in a variety of training including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (with children, adolescents, and adults), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Relationship Development Intervention, Social Thinking and education/educational assessment. Her areas of interest include assessment of children, adolescents and adults; cognitive and behavioral differences in children with neurodevelopmental disorders; treatment of adoption-related issues; treatment of childhood trauma; and animal-assisted therapy.
Links:
Montfort Psychology Associates
Be REDy Booklet
The Parish School
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In parenting, it’s often said that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. In other words, children are often a lot like their parents! This can be a great thing and also cause some frustration. In this episode we speak with licensed professional counselor, Courtney Suddath, about ways parents can support their children when they find themselves having the same struggles.
Courtney Suddath recently opened a private practice, Sycamore Family Counseling in Cypress, Texas. Previously she was the Clinical Director at Cy-Hope Counseling. In addition to her counseling services, Courtney provides supervision for Licensed Professional Counselor Associates. She has a Master’s degree in Psychology from Houston Baptist University. She has been working with children, teens, adults and families for over 20 years. Courtney worked in the classroom at The Parish School in the 90’s and later returned as the Director of Admissions and Family Services for several years. Courtney has experience in working with children who have special needs and their families. Her focus is to guide individuals and families to change patterns, discover positive and productive communication techniques, and strengthen relationships to increase success at home, at school, and in their community. Courtney’s ultimate goal in counseling is to give children and families hope and tools to work towards healing what has been negatively affected by the circumstances of life.
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Today’s episode is from our podcast vault, previously released in our first season! We sit down with speech-language pathologist and Childhood Apraxia of Speech expert, Nancy Kaufman. Nancy is the owner and director of the Kaufman Children’s Center in Michigan where she has established the Kaufman Speech to Language protocol, a treatment approach to help children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech become effective verbal communicators. She is a national and international speaker and has over 40 years of experience. The Parish School and Carruth Center have partnered with Nancy to complete research, training, and host her yearly to provide an educational talk for families and staff for over 10 years.
During the episode, Nancy explains what makes Childhood Apraxia of Speech a unique speech disorder, discusses her treatment approach and provides steps parents can take toward a diagnosis and treatment. We look forward to having Nancy speak with our community through a virtual talk this January!
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It’s December and for many that means the start of a very busy holiday season. From travel, to major changes in schedules, to unfamiliar holiday traditions, this can be a difficult season for children to navigate. However, there are a few simple strategies parents can use to take some stress out of the holidays for the whole family.
This previously aired episode is from our first podcast season. Our hosts Meredith and Stephanie discuss a number of tried and tested tips to help parents prepare for the challenges the holiday season may bring. While these tips are aimed for children who have language and social challenges, they are still excellent for trying with all children.
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In this episode, we speak with legendary Speech-Language Pathologist, Dr. Carol Westby, about the importance of play and personal narratives in early learning for later language and academic success. During the episode, Carol discusses how she began researching play, and shares her years of experience supporting students in public schools. She also details the ways play development supports later academic skills and how personal narratives support language development, academics and social-emotional skills.
Dr. Carol Westby, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, an award-winning consultant for Bilingual Multicultural Services and fellow of the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She has published and presented nationally and internationally on a wide variety of topics and is the developer of the renowned Westby Symbolic Play Scale, a research-based scale used to assess children’s social and play skills. Carol was also The Parish School's "2024 Giving Voice to Children" Luncheon keynote speaker and was longtime friend of The Parish School founder Robbin Parish.
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In this episode, guest Dr. Matt Fugate discusses twice exceptional, or 2E, students. 2E students have been identified as Gifted and Talented along with another diagnosis such as a learning or neurological difference or communication disorder. We were surprised by Matt’s definition of what it means to be twice exceptional, which gave us a new perspective in viewing these students. He also discusses signs a student may qualify as 2E, the benefits of the distinction, and how to support twice exceptional students in the classroom.
Dr. Matt Fugate is Provost of Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education. He received his doctorate in Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies from Purdue University. Previously, Matt worked as an elementary teacher, Gifted Coordinator and Magnet School Coordinator in HISD. His research interests include twice exceptional students and students from underserved populations. He has presented on a variety of topics including the social-emotional needs of twice exceptional students, culturally responsive pedagogy and creativity. Matt is currently President for the Texas Association for Gifted and Talented and was named one of the 22 People to Watch in the neurodiversity movement by 2e Media.
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Parents and children all have the same dream – to spend their summer days having fun without the stress and pressure of the school year. However, many parents also worry that too much fun could cause a loss of progress or skills gained during the year, or as some call it, the dreaded “summer slide.” Luckily, there are many ways to have fun while still preparing for the school year ahead. In this episode Meredith and Stephanie discuss various activities families can do to practice academic, fine motor, and executive functioning skills to keep kids sharp and ready for school. Activities include joining your local library summer reading program, cooking or baking, starting a travel journal, visiting local museums, and even letting your child get bored! This list will help families mix learning with fun throughout the summer.
Helpful Links:
Parish Blog on Preventing Summer Slide
Houston Public Library Summer Reading Program
HPL Flip Kits (interactive book kits)
Harris County Public Library Summer Reading Program
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In this episode we speak with dyslexia specialist, Marilyn Zecher, MA, CALT, about using her expertise and experience as a Certified Academic Language Therapist to teach mathematics. During the episode, Marilyn explains what it means to teach using a “multisensory approach”, discusses the intersection of language and mathematics and talks about why it is so important to use real world, hands-on learning experiences. She also gives parents and teachers specific multisensory activities they implement today to make math more concrete and fun.
Marilyn Zecher, MA, CALT, has been in the field of dyslexia education since 1976. She has a masters in education from University of Maryland, is Orton-Gillingham trained, and is the first Orton-Gillingham Fellow in Mathematics. She specializes in teaching educators how to use a multisensory approach in their math classes from the primary years through highschool. She speaks at national conferences and her online graduate level multisensory math courses have a world wide reach.
Links:
Marilyn's Website
Webinars and Professional Development
The Parish School
The Original Mexican Café
Gateway Academy Houston
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In this episode Stephanie speaks with Dr. Michele Joseph, Head of School at Gateway Academy about supporting high school students as they transition into young adulthood. Gateway Academy is a private school in Houston, Texas that serves 6th-12th grade students with academic and social challenges. Through their programming, Gateway supports students on their path to employment, college, and life beyond high school. Throughout her years in education, Michele has found teaching and addressing specific skills such as social communication, problem-solving, time management, and other executive functions have increased all students’ success post high school no matter which direction they take. Michele shares with us her knowledge, talks about Gateways’ unique programing, and gives advice to all parents as they prepare for the young adult years.
Dr. Michele Joseph, EdD is the Founding Head of School of Gateway Academy in Houston, Texas. Her background includes a BS in Speech/Language Pathology, MEd specializing in special populations, and experience as a classroom teacher, Behavior Specialist, and Learning Resource Teacher for 13 years in public schools. She has been the Principal and Head of School in private schools since 1999. She obtained her Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a Dissertation topic of Predictors of Post-Secondary Participation of Neurodiverse Individuals.
Links:
Gateway Academy
The Parish School
Kids 360 Dentistry
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In this episode we speak with Elizabeth Elder about finding a community and support system as a mother of children with special needs. Elizabeth is the founder of Steel Magnolia Moms, a Houston based support group for Mothers of children with special needs. Steel Magnolia Moms offers a variety of programs, events, and an online community designed to share knowledge, resources and, most importantly, encourage moms to find themselves again. Throughout the episode Elizabeth discusses her journey to starting Steel Magnolia Moms, shares how finding a community of other special needs Moms has positively changed her life and provides resources offered by Steel Magnolia Moms. Elizabeth also encourages everyone to reach out to others and take small steps toward building a supportive community wherever you are.
Elizabeth Elder, is the founder and Executive Director of Steel Magnolia Moms in Houston, Texas. She is a Houston native and mother of three. Elizabeth’s two oldest children, Annabelle and Blair, were diagnosed with Lee Syndrome, a neurodegenerative disease, in 2015. Shortly after Elizabeth was inspired to create a facebook support group for Moms in Houston. Over the past 9 years the group has grown to include thousands of Moms across the country. Steel Magnolia Moms now offers a variety of programs, in person events, and an online community designed to share knowledge, resources and, most importantly, encourage moms to find themselves again.
Links:
Steel Magnolia Moms website
Steel Magnolia Moms Facebook Group
Steel Magnolia Moms Programs
Gateway Academy
The Original Mexican Cafe
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In this episode Elizabeth Montero-Cefalo, former special education teacher and Conscious Discipline Master Instructor, discusses the positive impact of using Conscious Discipline at home and in her classroom. Elizabeth highlights the changes she implemented in her classroom and home that had the greatest impact as well as which elements of conscious discipline she started with and why. She also gives advice on what she recommends parents begin with at home. Throughout the episode, Elizabeth comes back to the core themes of seeing behaviors as communication, the importance of adults regulating themselves first, and the importances of structure and routine.
Elizabeth Montero-Cefalo, MEd, graduated from the University of Miami with a Masters in Early Childhood Special Education. She worked in public schools as a special education teacher before becoming a Conscious Discipline Master Instructor. Elizabeth’s special education classroom was recognized as a Conscious Discipline model classroom by Dr. Becky Bailey and the Miami-Dade County Public School District. As a trainer, Elizabeth assists teachers and administrators in deepening their understanding of Conscious Discipline and adapting it to working with the special needs population and infant/ toddler population. As a coach, she guides teachers through a manageable, step-by-step process of internalizing the skills and powers of Conscious Discipline.
Links:
Conscious Discipline
The Parish School
Sponsors:
Bay Area Arts Conservatory
Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry
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Screens are becoming increasingly interwoven into our children’s everyday lives. Unfortunately, a lot of the information around screen usage is either contradictory, vague, or rooted in extremes. This can leave parents confused, frustrated, or feeling guilty as they navigate screen usage for their family. In this episode, educator Ash Brandin (@TheGamerEducator) gives tips and information to help families make screens work for everyone. They provide ways for parents to reframe their thinking about screen time, give tips on helping children and adults become aware of how screens make their bodies feel, and helpful phrases to use when talking about screens with kids. Ash also gives tips on parental controls and ways to teach your child to use chat features responsibly.
Ash Brandin, EdS, is a middle school librarian, speaker, and parent educator. Through their blog and instagram account, The Gamer Educator, they educate parents and caregivers on how to navigate video game technology and provide strategies to help find a balance that works for their home. Ash also provides resources for educators wanting to bring gaming into the classroom to support learning and motivate students.
Links:
The Gamer Educator Website
The Gamer Educator Instagram
Sponsors:
The Original Mexican Cafe
Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry
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In this episode we sit down with Speech-Language Pathologist and executive functioning expert, Sarah Ward to discuss strategies to support the development of executive functions at home and school. Sarah starts off by giving a brief overview of what “executive functioning” means in everyday life then jumps into practical and effective ways parents, caregivers, teachers, and therapists can support students as they develop these skills.
Sarah Ward, MS, CCC-SLP is the Co-Director of Cognitive Connections, LLP in Massachusetts. She has over 25 years of experience in diagnostic evaluations, treatment and case management of children, adolescents and adults with a wide range of developmental and acquired brain-based learning difficulties and behavioral problems. Sarah is a dedicated clinician and internationally recognized expert on executive function skills who presents seminars and workshops across the globe on the programs and strategies she has developed. She has a proven track record for translating complex ideas into practical strategies that work to improve executive function skills.
Links:
Sarah's website: Cognitive Connections
The Parish School's website
Unbabbled on Instagram
Sponsors:
The Original Mexican Cafe
Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry
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In this episode, we speak with pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist Becky Wilson, about the link between language disorders and academics and how targeting underlying language skills helps support students learning. Throughout the episode Becky discusses ways reading, math, and all areas of school are interwoven with underlying language skills and ways as a speech-pathologist she targets these skills to develop a child’s overall academic learning.
Becky Willson, MS, CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist specializing in language and literacy for grades K-12. She has a private practice in Houston, Texas where she has served students with learning differences for the past 23 years. Becky’s prior experience includes classroom teaching in language-based learning disabilities programs at the elementary and middle school levels. Becky recognizes that language is the foundation for literacy, and the cornerstone for learning in all school subjects and she is dedicated to providing high-quality, multi-sensory intervention that produces results. Her goal is to help children and adolescents reach their highest academic potential, and support educators and families.
Links:
Becky Wilson's Website
The Parish School
Sponsors:
Soccor Shots Houston
M/I Homes
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In this episode, we sit down with pediatric physical therapist, Melissa Howard, DPT to talk about the basics of pediatric physical therapy. Melissa explains what physical therapy is, signs a child may benefit from physical, how it differs from occupational therapy, and ways she collaborates with other therapists. While many areas physical therapists treat were familiar to us, such as developing an efficient gait, building strong core, and rehabbing muscles after injury, one specific area was surprising to learn about- potty training, constipation, and incontinence! Melissa spends time in the episode discussing ways physical therapists can help children of all ages with those difficulties.
Melissa Howard is a pediatric physical therapist and owner of Bloom for All Physical Therapy, a private practice in Houston, Texas. She received a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Texas Tech University Health Science Center in 2011. Melissa is board certified as a Neurologic Specialist and certified in Neurodevelopmental Treatment. She has taught at Texas Woman’s University Physical Therapy school, Gaza, Palestine, the Cerebral Palsy Annual Academy, and APTA sections at Pediatrics Conference.
Links:
Bloom For All Physical Therapy Website
Bloom For All Instagram
The Parish School Website
Unbabbled on Instagram
Sponsors:
Soccor Shots Houston
Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry
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Summer is finally here! And while many kids have dreams of days spent at the pool, playing outside or having all day tv marathons, it is also the perfect time to kick back and relax with a good book! In this episode, Anjela Martinez from the Harris County Public Library Outreach Program and special co-host Parish School librarian, Jill Wood, share ways parents can support even their most reluctant readers over the summer. Throughout the episode Anjela and Jill discuss ways to promote reading for pleasure, tips for helping find your child books, and reassure us that audiobooks are reading too! Anjela also tells us about the many summer programs at the library to promote literacy- and you may be surprised to know that most of them do not involve reading!
Anjela Martinez is the Assistant Manager or Youth Services Programs, Partnerships and Outreach at the Harris County Public Library. In that role she works to promote literacy, develop library programs and build partnerships with other organizations, such as The Parish School. Jill Wood, MLIS, is the Director of Adventure play and Librarian at The Parish School.
Links:
Harris County Public Library Website
Harris County Public Library Summer Reading Program Sign-up
Houston Public Library
The Parish School Website
This episode of Unbabbled is sponsored by Soccer Shots Houston. Soccer Shots was founded in 1997 after recognizing a lack of quality soccer programs for children under 8 years old. Their program was formed under the guidance of childhood education specialists, professional soccer players and experienced and licensed soccer coaches. They use a developmentally appropriate curriculum, and the coaches place an emphasis on character development and skill building. To learn more about Soccer Shots visit their website at www.soccershots.com/houston.
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When a child receives a diagnosis, it can impact the entire family and bring on a variety of emotions and responses from parents. In this episode, Dr. Michelle Beard returns to the podcast to discuss a child receiving a diagnosis from the parent and care giver perspective. She touches on a variety of emotions that parents commonly report, ways parents can work through their emotions, ideas for self-care that are actually feasible, and gives resources for families going through the evaluation process. Whether your child has been newly diagnosed or you have had a diagnosis for years, we hope the tips and validation Dr. Beard provides in this episode will resonate with you.
Dr. Michelle Beard, Ph.D, is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology. She earned her M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas, with a specialization in Counseling Psychology. She completed her doctoral internship in the Houston Independent School District, where she provided counseling and conducted assessments of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, ADHD, and other psychological and behavior disorders. Dr. Beard has been in private practice in Houston, Texas since 2006 where she specializes in treating children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety disorders. She divides her practice between treating people who suffer from anxiety-related issues and assessing children, adolescents, and adults for ADHD, learning disabilities, and other psychological concerns. She is passionate about assisting parents and students in better understanding the ways in which they learn and can achieve success.
Links:
Dr. Beard's Private Practice
The Parish School Website
Unbabbled on Instagram
The Parish School on Instagram
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In this episode, pediatric Occupational Therapist Rachel Czar answers all our questions about the basics of occupational therapy (OT) including our most commonly asked question- what is OT? Throughout the episode Rachel discusses signs a child might benefit from OT and how to obtain an evaluation. She also discusses ways specific areas of difficulty may impact a child at school and at home, as well as skills an OT may address with a child. While the profession is broad, Rachel helps break it down for parents, caregivers and other professionals.
Rachel Czar, MS, OT, is a pediatric occupational therapist at The Carruth Center in Houston, Texas. She holds both a Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s of Science from the University of Texas Health Science Center and is Sensory Integration Praxis Test (SIPT) Certified. Prior to joining The Carruth Center, Rachel worked as a lead in a DIRFloortime® preschool group in Dallas. She also has experience working with children in outpatient clinics, home health and in schools. She has experience helping children with feeding issues and has Handwriting Without Tears® training. Rachel is passionate about helping children with autism and sensory processing disorder. She believes that a child’s occupation is to play.
The Parish School Website
Unbabbled on Instagram
The Parish School on Instagram
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In this episode we tackle a frequently asked question: “Should I tell my child about their diagnosis? And if so, how?”. When a child receives a diagnosis such as dyslexia, autism, ADHD, or a Language or Learning Disorder it can be difficult for parents to know how to discuss this with their child. According to our guest, Dr. Michelle Beard, there is no “one size fits all” answer. However, there are many factors parents and caregivers can take into consideration when thinking about how and when to discuss a diagnosis with their child. Throughout this episode Dr. Beard dives into these factors and gives tips on how to approach these tough conversations. While the episode does not provide a definitive answer, Dr. Beard does provide hope and guidance in making your own informed decision.
Dr. Michelle Beard, Ph.D, is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology. She earned her M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas, with a specialization in Counseling Psychology. She completed her doctoral internship in the Houston Independent School District, where she provided counseling and conducted assessments of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, ADHD, and other psychological and behavior disorders. Dr. Beard has been in private practice in Houston, Texas since 2006 where she specializes in treating children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety disorders. She divides her practice between treating people who suffer from anxiety-related issues and assessing children, adolescents, and adults for ADHD, learning disabilities, and other psychological concerns. She is passionate about assisting parents and students in better understanding the ways in which they learn and can achieve success.
Links:
Dr. Beard's Private Practice
The Parish School Website
Unbabbled on Instagram
The Parish School on Instagram
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In this episode we discuss the DIR® Floortime model of therapy with Sharon Duval, CCC-SLP. DIR stands for the Developmental, Individual-differences, and Relationship-based model which highlights the power of relationships and emotional connections to fuel development. Throughout the episode Sharon discusses the underlying principles of DIR® Floortime how it may differ from traditional therapy, the population she works with, and why she is so passionate about this approach. Sharon also touches on a major misconception people have about child-led approaches like DIR® Floortime.
Sharon Duval is a Speech-Language Pathologist in private practice in Houston, Texas at The Duval’s Center for Speech and Sensory Motor Development which provides both speech- language and occupational therapy. She has been a speech-language pathologist for over 40 years working in a variety of settings including clinics and a private specialty school. For the past 35 years, she has specialized in working with individuals with neurological differences including Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder. Sharon is certified in the DIR® Floortime Model after beginning her training in 2004 with Dr. Stanely Greenspan and Dr. Serena Wieder. Her therapy sessions include parents to help them learn the optimal caregiver patterns that support their child’s development.
The Parish School Website
Find Unbabbled on Instagram
This episode of Unbabbled is sponsored by Soccer Shots Houston. Soccer Shots was founded in 1997 after recognizing a lack of quality soccer programs for children under 8 years old. Their program was formed under the guidance of childhood education specialists, professional soccer players and experienced and licensed soccer coaches. They use a developmentally appropriate curriculum, and the coaches place an emphasis on character development and skill building. To learn more about Soccer Shots visit their website at www.soccershots.com/houston.
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Finding an activity outside of school that is developmentally appropriate and inclusive of neurodivergent children or children with speech and language difficulties can be a challenge for parents. While many of our kids may excel in physical activities, they may struggle to attend for long periods, follow multiple step instructions, or need repetition. Other children may have fine or gross motor difficulties which require extra instruction or accommodation. Finding a program with coaches that have the patience, passion, and knowledge to work with this population is often rare. Fortunately, Soccer Shots Houston offers programs for all students! In this episode we sit down with Wade Barrett, Executive Director of Soccer Shots Houston to discuss what makes their program special, why he is so passionate about meeting children where they are to support growth, and why teaching soccer is not their main mission! Wade also gives tips to parents on ways to advocate for your child when looking into other programs and tips for how to find a program that will work for your child and family.
Wade Barrett is a former professional soccer player; he spent 12 years playing for various clubs all over the world including the Houston Dynamo. Wade captained the Dynamo to back-to-back MLS Cup Championships in 2006 and 2007 and has also represented the Men’s National team on the pitch. After his playing career, Wade spent 7 years coaching for the Dynamo, most recently as the Head Coach. Wade joined the Soccer Shots team to share his passion for personal growth and soccer with children and youth kids.
Soccer Shots Houston is a sponsor of the Unbabbled podcast. We are proud of our partnership as their values, support of all children, and mission closely aligned with the The Parish School’s core values.
Links:
Soccer Shots Houston
The Parish School
Follow Unbabbled on Instagram
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In this episode, Stephanie and Meredith sit down with the Keynote Speaker from The Parish School’s 2022 Giving Voice to Children Luncheon, Greg Santucci. Throughout the episode Greg discusses ways to see beyond a child’s behavior by supporting their underlying sensory and safety needs at home and in the classroom. Greg uses specific examples from his life and clinical experiences to illustrate the importance of being curious about a child’s sensory needs to support their learning potential. He also discusses how his focus goes beyond in the moment changes to the goal of empowering children to be resilient and successful. Greg’s biggest takeaway is that these changes start with us- the adults teaching and caring for our children!
Greg Santucci, MS OTR, is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and the Founding Director of Power Play Pediatric Therapy in New Jersey. He has been working with children and families for over 20 years, providing OT services in schools, homes, and outpatient therapy centers. Greg is certified in Sensory Integration and has been lecturing nationally for over a decade on topics related to sensory processing, child development, and behavior. Greg has dedicated his career to promoting neurodevelopmentally-informed, relationship-based, interventions to help parents and teachers support children of all abilities and learning styles with the goal of improving a child’s participation in daily activities.
Links:
Greg Santucci's Website
Find Greg Santucci on Instagram
The Parish School Website
Find Unbabbled on Instagram
This episode of Unbabbled is sponsored by Soccer Shots Houston. Soccer Shots was founded in 1997 after recognizing a lack of quality soccer programs for children under 8 years old. Their program was formed under the guidance of childhood education specialists, professional soccer players and experienced and licensed soccer coaches. They use a developmentally appropriate curriculum, and the coaches place an emphasis on character development and skill building. To learn more about Soccer Shots visit their website at www.soccershots.com/houston.
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In this episode, we use questions submitted by Unbabbled listeners in an informal Q&A with pediatric dietician Jennifer Anderson MSPH, RND. Jennifer has firsthand experience not only as a dietician, but as a mother of a picky eater. She uses her expertise and life experience to answer questions ranging from “How do I introduce more protein” and “Help my child needs to gain weight!” to “How do I speak with well-meaning adults who pressure my child to eat!” Her advice is based on research and best practices, along with an understanding of real life.
Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RND is aregistered dietitian with a Masters of Science in Public Health from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. In 2019, she founded Kids Eat in Color, a resource that helps families feed their children from their first bite of solid food through picky eating and elementary-aged nutrition needs. Jennifer provides information through her Instagram account, website, online courses, and products aimed to educate and support families.
This episode of Unbabbled is sponsored by Soccer Shots Houston and Houston’s Pediatric Dentists - Dr. Steven Hogan and Dr. Natalie Harrison.
Soccer Shots was founded in 1997 after recognizing a lack of quality soccer programs for children under 8 years old. Their program was formed under the guidance of childhood education specialists, professional soccer players and experienced and licensed soccer coaches. They use a developmentally appropriate curriculum, and the coaches place an emphasis on character development and skill building. To learn more about Soccer Shots visit their website at www.soccershots.com/houston.
Houston’s Pediatric Dentists serve infants, children, and teens of all abilities in the Houston metro area. They are devoted to comprehensive and preventive patient care whether your child loves going to the dentist or dreads that first visit. Dr. Hogan and Dr. Harrison strive to make each visit comfortable, effective, and fun. Visit their website at www.houstonspediatricdentist.com.
Links:
Kids Eat In Color Website
Kids Eat In Color Instagram
The Parish School Website
Soccer Shots Houston
Dr. Hogan Houston Pediatric Dentist
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In this episode we sit down with Ali Allawala and Farzeen Ali to discuss their innovative and inspiring work to support families and individuals with Down Syndrome. Ali and Farzeen are Co-founders and current directors of The Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP). KDSP is a non-profit organization in Karachi Pakistan, launched in March 2014 by a group of concerned parents and passionate individuals who realized a need for a platform for those with Down syndrome due to limited support and resources available locally. KDSP’s mission is to advocate the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome living in Karachi and aims to provide them with the opportunity to lead independent and fulfilling lives. KDSP embarks on a journey with families and those with Down Syndrome to ensure they feel empowered, included and equal members of society.
Ali and Farzeen discuss their personal journey with the diagnosis of their daughter, what led them to found The Karachi Down Syndrome Program, and ways KDSP is serving the community in Karachi Pakistan. Their story of navigating an unexpected diagnosis and figuring out step by step what life can look like for their daughter is one many families will be able to relate to.
Links:
The Karachi Down Syndrome Program
The Parish School
The Carruth Center
This episode is generously sponsored by The Carruth Center in Houston, Texas. The Carruth Center provides children therapeutic services to advance their communication skills, independence and emotional well-being. They offer individual speech, occupational, physical, music and play therapy sessions. They also offer group classes for young children with language delays as well as groups for school-aged children who would benefit from Social Thinking methodologies. If you would like to find out more visit www.carruthcenter.org. The Carruth Center is proud of their relationship with the Karachi Down Syndrome Program. We hope you enjoy listening to Ali and Farzeen Allawala.
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In this episode, we speak with Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist Cari Ebert about the importance of play and relational connections in supporting a child’s language development. Cari shares her own personal experiences that have shaped her perspective and therapeutic style, discusses the science-based importance of play on children’s brain development, and gives specific strategies parents, educators and caregivers can use to incorporate play into their daily activities. Cari also highlights ways to be inclusive and supportive of neurodivergent children’s play and development.
Cari Ebert, M.S., CCC-SLP is a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist in private practice in the Kansas City, Missouri area where she has found her niche in working with young children ages birth-to-five and their families. Cari firmly believes that early intervention is the key to future success, and she has dedicated her professional career to helping young children achieve their maximum potential by partnering with parents and caregivers throughout the therapy process. Cari is a therapist, a consultant and a nationally recognized speaker.
Links:
Cari Ebert's Website
Follow Cari on Instagram
The Parish School Website
Support the show
In this episode, we chat with Mr. Chazz, a parent and teacher coach, about positive behavior approaches at home and in the classroom. He is an early childhood educator, educational specialist, and parenting coach. In the episode Mr Chazz discusses his three-step approach of see, guide, trust by walking us through each stop. He also touches on the importance of understanding our own parenting self-judgements and background to best support our children and students. This episode is bursting with insightful information and simple actions you can take now to parent more consciously.
Mr. Chazz is an early childhood eductor who began his career teaching in a Montessori classroom and has gone on to earn his master’s in executive leadership at American University. Mr. Chazz works with schools, teachers, and families to support a learning environment that is based on respect and empathy through a conscious parenting/discipline approach. He is also a highly respected speaker with extensive training in Conscious Discipline.
Links:
Mr. Chazz on Instagram
Mr. Chazz's Podcast
Mr. Chazz's Patreon Page
The Parish School Website
Unbabbled Instagram
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In this episode, we sit down with Mary Mecham, Director of Disability Book Week to learn about this year’s inaugural event. Mary is an avid reader, advocate, and mother of two girls with rare genetic disorders. She has teamed up with Parish School Teacher Caralou Smith to start Disability Book Week as part of their capstone project with Texas Partners in Policymaking, a leadership training program designed to empower adults with developmental disabilities and family members to become effective advocates for policy change. Mary says that she was inspired by her own daughters to search for books that had main characters with disabilities. During her search, she started to meet authors with disabilities who felt inspired to write about their own struggles in their published literary works. Mary got so excited about their journeys that she knew she needed to share all these incredible books and authors with the world!
Throughout the episode Mary discusses the process behind picking books, teaming up with authors, and the importance of having a panel research and vet at books. She also talks about different activities happening throughout the week to celebrate and ways listeners can get involved. However, the most powerful part of the interview is when Mary discusses WHY elevating the perspectives of people with disabilities is important for everyone!
Links:
Disability Book Week Website
Disability Book Week Facebook
Texas Partners in Policy Making Website
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A substantial part of finding the right school for your child is going through the seemingly daunting admissions process! In this episode we chat with the director of admissions from Gateway Academy, Bonnie Jones, MS, CCC-SLP and The Parish School’s director of admissions and Unbabbled co-cost, Meredith Krimmel, MS, CCC-SLP. Throughout the episode Bonnie and Meredith walk us through what the typical admissions process is like for a specialty school including how to start the process, what paperwork parents may need to provide, and how they walk families through insuring that their program is the best fit. They also share common reasons why parents choose a specialty school over other options.
Gateway Academy is a private school in Houston, Texas that serves 6th-12th grade students with academic and social challenges. Gateway is committed to teaching traditional academics, while also meeting the social and emotional needs of our students with learning and social differences. Bonnie Jones, MS, CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist that serves as the director of admissions and supports students in the classroom. She came to Gateway in 2017 to develop their Social Communication program after working at The Parish School in both the early childhood and elementary programs. Bonnie’s varied background and experience in addressing language, social, and learning challenges equip her in her current role as Director of Admissions at Gateway Academy.
The Parish School serves children ages 2-12 who have communication delays and learning differences, empowering them with the tools to succeed. Parish provides an education for the entire family within the environment of a nurturing and safe 17-acre campus with on-site pediatric therapy clinic. Our personalized academic approach – with a focus on communication skills, social learning, nature, independence and the arts – allows children not just to grow, but to thrive. Meredith Krimmel, MS, CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist with over 10 years of experience at The Parish School. She has worked in a variety of settings including a pediatric private clinic and providing group social learning therapy on top of her experiences in early childhood and elementary classrooms at The Parish School. Meredith has served as the Director of Admissions since 2016 where she is passionate about helping families find the right setting for their child to thrive.
Links:
Gateway Academy Website
Unbabbled Instagram
FInd out more about The Parish School
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
Our guests today, Dee Dee Halpin and Julie Blumberg run Houston School Options where they help families find the most effective school program for their children. Over the years, Dee Dee and Julie have helped guide numerous families - both new to the city and Houston natives - through the school choice process. During our conversation they discuss their process to find the right match and give tips to parents who are looking, such as what to look for when visiting schools and how you’ll know what the right choice is for you. They also remind us that the “best school” is the one that is the right fit for your child. And that sometimes, the right decision now is not a forever decision. While Dee Dee and Julie work with families in Houston, their tips on how to find the right school will work for all families, regardless of location.
Dee Dee Halpin has a Master of Science in Special Education. She has experience as a classroom teacher, Educational Diagnostician in both public schools and private practice, and currently works as an Educational Consultant.
Julia Blumberg has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She spent years teaching 2nd and 5th grades before she founded her tutoring business, Motivation Houston, in 2014.
Dee Dee and Julie use their years of experience both in the classroom and as part of parent teacher organizations and school boards to support families through their business, Houston School Options.
Links:
Houston School Options Website
Houston School Options Instagram
Unbabbled Instagram
FInd out more about The Parish School
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
In this episode we chat with pediatric dentist Dr. Steven Hogan about the unique challenges and treatment for a neurodiverse population, including children with sensory processing difficulties, anxiety, communication difficulties, and a wide range of medical diagnoses. Dr. Hogan discusses things parents can do to prepare children for the dentist, tips for at the dentist, strategies he personally uses in treatment, and advice for brushing at home. Dr. Hogan’s goal is to make the trip to the dentist a positive experience to support lifelong dental health.
Dr. Hogan is a native Houstonian and part owner of Houston’s Pediatric Dentist. He attended University of Texas Austin and University of Texas Dental School at San Antonio. He completed a pediatric residency through the Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry where he trained at Children’s Medical Center and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital and received extensive training in sedation, special needs and medically compromised patients, and patients with dental trauma. Dr. Hogan is also a father of three who focuses on providing care in a positive manner.
Links:
Houston's Pediatric Dentistry
Unbabbled Instagram
FInd out more about The Parish School
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
In this episode we speak with registered dietician Kacie Barnes about pediatric nutrition. Kacie is the owner of Mama Knows Nutrition, where she helps parents of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers find solutions to nourish their families without stress, guilt, or chaos. Throughout the episode, Kacie shares tips for introducing new foods, discusses typical variations in children’s diets and the nutritional needs of kids all with her signature humor and judgment free style.
Kacie Barnes, MCN, RDN, LD has a Masters of Clinical Nutrition from UT Southwestern. She is the owner of Mama Knows Nutrition where she works with families one on one and provides information through her podcast, website, and Instagram account to help families navigate feeding their kids. Kacie also has a bachelor’s in economics and business from NYU and a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University. Kacie lives in Dallas, TX with her husband and two children.
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
The public school system offers a wide range of services for children free of charge! But Navigating through the paperwork, knowing what services are available, understanding the laws and regulations and learning the new lingo can be overwhelming and confusing! In this week’s episode, speech language pathologist, Huyen Cao, MA, CCC-SLP answers our questions to help demystify the public-school special education system. Throughout the episode Huyen discusses how to ask for an evaluation, who can get services, what services are available and what to expect during a meeting. Huyen also explains many of the common public-school specific acronyms. We also dive into the lesser-known details such as the legal timeline schools must follow, the difference between an IEP and a 504, and if the public-school gives diagnoses to students. Huyen also reminds us that even if your child is enrolled in a private school, they have the legal right to be tested by the public school system.
Huyen Cao, MA, CCC-SLP is the Director of Elementary at The Parish School. Prior to working at The Parish School Huyen worked for the Houston Independent School District for over 6 years as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Speech-Language Pathology Team Lead, and most recently, Senior Manager, Special Education- Speech and Language services.
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Alyssa Blask Campbell, Med, is an emotional development expert with a master's degree in early childhood education. She is the founder of Seed and Sew, an online modern parenting community, and the co-created the Collaborative Emotion Processing (CEP) method, a how-to guide for responding to tiny humans' big emotions to build emotional intelligence from infancy. Through Seed and Sew, Alyssa trains parents, educators, and caregivers in emotional coaching and understanding emotional intelligence. She also created and hosts Tiny Humans, Big Emotions parent support groups as virtual hangouts to dive into all things parenting. Alyssa’s goal is to help families and caregivers build strategies for responding to challenging behaviors in a way that supports the development of emotional intelligence.
Throughout the episode, Alyssa discusses the connection between sensory regulation and emotional development and how as adults, our ability to connect with and guide our children is directly impacted by our level of sensory regulation. Alyssa also touches on the science behind co-regulation, provides tips to support children who struggle with anxiety and gives a few “say this” instead of “that” examples.
Links:
Seed and Sew website: Seed and Sew
Alyssa’s Podcast: Voices of your Village
Seed and Sew Instagram: Seed.and.Sew
The Parish School on Instagram: ParishSchoolTx
The Parish School Website: The Parish School
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
This episode continues our discussion on supporting siblings with input from a mental health professional. Our guest, Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, RPT-S, gives advice on how to talk to children about struggles one child may have and gives ideas for supporting families as they navigate family dynamics and emotions. During our conversation Lynn not only gives specific strategies and tips, but also encourages parents and caregivers to hold space for big emotions and lean into hard conversations even when they make us uncomfortable. She also shares a bit of her experience as a parent who has navigated this herself.
Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, RPT-S is a licensed clinical social worker. She received her master’s in social work from the University of Houston and started her career at Texas Children’s Hospital. In 2004, she opened her own private practice, Houston Family Therapy Associates, giving her the opportunity to focus 100% on children and families. Lynn specializes in play therapy and is certified through the Association of Play Therapy as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. She offers play therapy training, supervision, and consultation to other professionals who serve children and families.
Links:
Houston Family Therapy Associates
Lynn McLean on Instagram
Unbabbled on Instagram
The Parish School Instagram
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
You may have heard it said, “Your sibling is your first friend” or “A sibling is a built-in best friend”. And while these common sayings can be true, sibling relationships are often complex and messy - swinging from loving, supportive, cooperative to jealous and fighting, then back again! Add into the mix a child with neurodiversity or complex medical needs and the relationships can get even more complicated. In today’s episode we hear how Katie Higgins, a mom of three, supports her children and their unique relationships.
During the episode Katie discusses her son’s journey to a diagnosis, the dynamic between her twins and their brother, the steps she’s taken as a mom to support her children - like setting up special mother-daughter time for the girls - and how they navigate the emotions and changing relationships that come with having a neurodiverse sibling. Throughout the episode, Katie’s honesty, love for her children, and authenticity shines. Her story will leave caregivers feeling both seen and hopeful.
Katie Higgins is a mother of three and co-owner of Vintage Hope Boutique in Richmond, Texas. She has twin daughters and a son who has been diagnosed with epilepsy and autism.
Links:
You are a Superhero too, by Brittnie Blackburn
The Parish School
Vintage Hope Boutique
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
Do mornings with your young children often feel hectic? Does starting the day with TV or iPad games set the wrong tone for the rest of your day? Beth from the website Days with Grey has a solution: start the day with simple, intentional, play-based learning activities! In this episode of Unbabbled, Beth, a teacher turned stay-at-home mom turned business owner, discusses how starting the day with engaging learning activities can set parents up for a day of playing and teaching children new skills, all while giving parents a few minutes to relax and enjoy their coffee. Throughout the episode, Beth gives ideas of how to bring these simple activities into your daily routine, explains her philosophy on teaching through play, and shares her favorite activities to do with her boys.
About Our Guest:
Beth is an educator certified in K-12 with a master’s degree in reading. After teaching for 13 years, she started Days with Grey in 2016 to share the educational activities she was doing with her two boys. Now a mom to three boys, Beth shares her Breakfast Invitations and activity cards with families all over the world through her blog and Instagram. We hope today’s episode inspires you to start you day with play!
Related Links:
- Days with Grey website
- Days with Grey Instagram
- Unbabbled Instagram
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
Do you ever wonder why your child with ADHD has trouble getting started on chores or homework? Have you noticed that they get off track when following seemingly simple instructions? Or does preparing to leave your house in the morning often feel chaotic? Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Kimberly Harrison discusses why individuals with ADHD operate differently and how parents can best support them. Additionally, she provides advice on how to help get things done more efficiently, so everyone can start enjoying more peace and harmony in the home.
This episode includes questions submitted by parents of children who have ADHD. If you are interested these Q&A type discussions, be sure to check out The Parish School’s Adult Education series for more live events.
Dr. Kimberly B. Harrison is a clinical psychologist who diagnoses, treats and does research with persons who have ADHD. She is passionate about helping parents and children discover their personal giftedness and develop ways to use these strengths to overcome areas of deficit.
Related Links:
- The Conative Group
- The Parish School Adult Education Series
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
This special episode was recorded in February 2020 at the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (TSHA) Annual Convention in Houston, and is being released in conjunction with the 2021 Virtual TSHA Convention. In this episode, we speak with Meredith Poore Harold, PhD, CCC-SLP, about the importance of evidence-based practice, barriers clinicians face in implementing evidence-based practice, and how her business, The Informed SLP is helping clinicians to put research into practice.
About Meredith Harold
Meredith Harold is a speech-language pathologist, science communicator, speaker, and founder of The Informed SLP. Meredith received her doctorate from the University of Kansas in developmental speech physiology and neuroscience. Since then, she has worked as a school-based SLP, an assistant professor at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, and has owned a private practice. Meredith's current professional endeavors focus on understanding, supporting and advancing research and clinical practice in speech–language pathology. She founded The Informed SLP, a website and series of email newsletters that provides speech-language pathologists with evidence-based research in an way that’s friendly, realistic and efficient. She is also president of the Kansas Speech–Language–Hearing Association, is on the Committee on Clinical Research, Implementation Science, and Evidence-Based Practice for ASHA, is an adjunct faculty at The University of Kansas. On top of all that, Meredith hosts a podcast called, Evidence & Argument.
Related Links:
- The Informed SLP
- The Informed SLP on Instagram
- Connect with Meredith Harold
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
Mompreneur Julie Friedman joins us this episode to discuss her journey to bringing sensory-based play into her home. Julie is the owner and founder of Young, Wild & Friedman, a Houston-based company that ships sensory play kits worldwide. She shares her inspiration for starting her business and gives a first-hand account of how sensory-based play has positively impacted her daughter’s development. She shares similar stories from other families. We also discuss simple steps parents can take to bring sensory-based play into their own homes.
About Julie Friedman
Julie is a mother of four. Her oldest child was diagnosed with a speech disorder coupled with anxiety. In 2017, she started Young, Wild & Friedman to help other parents integrate sensory play into their own children's lives and takes pleasure in knowing that each kit plays a small role in a child's development.
Related Links:
- Young, Wild & Friedman website
- Young, Wild & Friedman Instagram
- Unbabbled Instagram
- The Parish School Blog
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
Licensed professional counselor, Amanda Armbruster, provides advice for supporting children’s social and emotional development at home. Hear meaningful tips to help children through everyday challenges, including how to navigate big emotions in public places, how to deal with low impulse control, what to do when you feel your child “knows better,” and ways parents can model self-regulation behaviors. While Amanda gives many useful strategies, her greatest message is that all kids are good kids. When challenging behaviors pop-up, children have merely gotten off track or are struggling with something difficult for them.
Mother of two, Amanda is the founder of Take a Break Tots, a place for parents and caregivers to receive advice and strategies for promoting positive emotional development. She also works at a private clinic doing individual and group therapy, parent training and school consultations. Amanda’s goal is to take the information she has gathered from the clinical world and bring it to all parents and caregivers.
About Amanda Armbruster
Amanda Armbruster, MEd, LPC, earned a Master’s of Education in Counseling from the University of Houston. While in graduate school, she took an internship with an incredible Child Psychologist, Dr. Michelle Forrester. Amanda completed her post-graduate internship at Dr. Forrester’s office as well. Now, she continues her work there part-time doing individual and group therapy, parent training, and school consultations as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Amanda wants to use her experience as a children’s therapist to help caregivers become the most confident they can be and provide a strong foundation for children. Amanda wants to bring her knowledge and expertise in child development from the clinical world to the average household and classroom.
Related links:
- Take a Break Tots website
- @Takeabreaktots on Instagram
- Dr. Michelle Forrester's website
- @unbabbled on Instagram
- The Whole-Brain Child
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
Reading specialist, Jordan Boyce, shares practical, easy and fun ideas that parents can do at home to support their elementary-aged child’s (ages 5-9) learning. Throughout the episode, Jordan provides hands-on, engaging activities to support a child’s developing reading and math skills using materials most families already have on-hand, like Legos, Magnatiles and dixie cups. She also provides book recommendations for early readers that hold children’s attention while still easily read independently.
About the Speaker
Jordan Boyce, MEd, LDT, CALT, is a licensed dyslexia therapist (LDT) and certified academic language therapist (CALT) based in Houston, with a passion for working with students who have reading and learning difficulties and their families. She received a bachelor's degree in education and a master’s degree in special education from Texas Christian University. Jordan has over ten years of experience working with children who have learning challenges. She has previously worked at both The Parish School in Houston and at Rawson Saunders School in Austin. Jordan has a private practice, Boyce Literacy Services, where she provides academic language therapy, consultations, evaluations, and a variety of parent support services.
Related links:
- Boyce Literacy Services website
- Houston Branch of International Dyslexia Association
- Follow Boyce Literacy on Instagram
- Follow Unbabbled on Instagram
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
Elementary teacher Wendy Garza, Wendy provides a variety of simple, engaging and practical activities parents can do at home with their tween (kids ages 9-12) to support their academic learning. tips on using children’s interests to drive fun inquiry-based learning projects, provides methods for engaging children when practicing reading, and discusses the benefits of getting your child into the kitchen!
About Wendy Garza, MEd
Wendy is a bilingual special education teacher at The Parish School in Houston. She received her Master’s in education from the University of Texas – Arlington with a focus on teaching early literacy to children with autism and developmental delays. Wendy has experienced working in the public school as an elementary general education and resource room teacher and as a middle school history and economics teacher at a South Korea boarding school.
Related Links:
- The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs
- The Birthday Party Project
- Books Between Kids
- Generation Serve Houston
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
Dr. Alain Katic of Houston Clinical Trials joins us to answer parents' and professionals' questions about mental health and medication. He discusses how to tell if a medication is working, how long it takes to see changes, and provides information on side effects parents may see with certain medications. Many questions asked are related specifically to children who have speech, language and sensory processing difficulties. In addition, Dr. Katic provides background information on many common medications, including those used to treat ADHD, and gives a variety of parent resources for those seeking more information. This episode is recorded from a live virtual adult education session hosted by The Parish School in Houston, TX.
About Alain Katic, MD
Dr. Katic is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. He has an extensive background in psychopharmacology, autism, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, migraines in children and adolescents, adolescent and adult ADHD, and bipolar 1 depression. He has served as Medical Director for numerous hospitals and treatment facilities, including Houston Clinical Trials, where he currently serves as President and Medical Director. Dr. Katic and his research have been successfully published in reputable scientific journals and presented at scientific meetings.
For over 17 years, Dr. Katic has served as a principal and sub-investigator on over 200 Phase I-IV clinical trials in adult, adolescent and child psychiatry. As a principal investigator, he has conducted clinical trials for a comprehensive spectrum of indications, including ADHD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, sleep disorders and substance abuse.
Related Links
Houston Clinical Trials website: Houston Clinical Trials
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
The holidays are here, and our hosts are discussing several tried and true tips to help parents prepare for the challenges the season may bring. These tips are provided with children who have language and social challenges in mind, but they’re excellent for trying with all children as well.
This episode was originally recorded and released in December 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Holiday celebrations look very different in 2020, but many of these ideas are applicable for any year! In fact, this year, more than ever, it’s important to talk with your children ahead of time about changes and expectations for family activities, model self-care, and focus on staying regulated.
From all of us at Unbabbled,
Happy Holidays!
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
Social-emotionallearning is a vital part of education and development. Self-awareness, self-control and interpersonal skills are necessary for school, work and life success, but these skills may require direct teaching for children who have disabilities.
In this episode, we chat with Elizabeth Sautter, who provides practical strategies parents can use to build their child’s executive functioning skills, and help them to manage emotions and navigate social situations. Elizabeth also provides resources that parents can use to support their children’s goals at home. Throughout the episode, she doesn’t just focus on children, Elizabeth frequently stresses the importance of self-care for adults and gives realistic ideas beyond just bubble baths!
About Our Guest
Elizabeth Sautter, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist, author and presenter specializing in social and emotional learning for families. She is the founder of Make Social Learning Stick which provides consultation, training and resources to help children, teens and their families build skills and strategies to manage emotions, navigate social situations, and achieve their goals. She is author of Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick!, which provides parents with practical activities to help children manage emotions, navigate social situations and reduce anxiety. She is also co-owner of Communication Works, which provides speech therapy to schools and individual clients. Elizabeth has completed a mentorship with Michelle Garcia Winner for Social Thinking® and has co-authored two popular children's books, Whole Listening Larry at Home and Whole Body Listening Larry at School. Elizabeth is a collaborative trainer for Zones of Regulation and co-author of its game and storybooks. On a personal note, she has two teenage sons, a sister and cousin with additional needs related to social communication, self-regulation and executive functioning challenges. This makes her work not just a career, but a life endeavor.
Related Links:
- Make Learning Stick Website
- Making Learning Stick Parent Trainings
- Making Learning Stick Book
- Follow Elizabeth on Instagram
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
Caring for a child with special needs, such as a communication disorder, learning difference or complex medical diagnosis, can be overwhelming. Families planning for the future of a child with special needs could benefit from additional support and financial resources. In this episode, we speak with financial planners Bryan Smith and Tinja Anderson of MassMutual Greater Houston to learn the basics of planning for your family’s unique financial needs. They provide clarity on complex issues like Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security benefits, different types of trusts families with special needs may use, and what to keep in mind when planning for the future. They also share the types of services they provide to families to give holistic support now and through the next 20, 40 or 60 years.
About Our Guests
Bryan Smith is a financial planner for MassMutual Greater Houston who works with families to develop customized Life Care Plans using unique and personalized strategies that maximize financial efficiency. His passion to serve is born out of his personal journey and growth as the oldest brother to a sibling with special needs. He relates to siblings and parents about the highs and lows of caring for a person who has disabilities. Bryan assists families with a myriad of issues including understanding and accessing public benefits, preserving benefit eligibility through special needs trusts and guardianship concerns.
Tinja Anderson is a financial strategist whose mission is to leave anything she touches better than she found it. She is passionate about assisting her clients by reducing their fear of not having enough, and by working with a team of special care planners who assist her clients in navigating the complex world of special needs. As a sibling of someone who grew up with a severe speech disorder, she knows how important it is to find a community of support.
You can follow the Greater Houston MassMutual SpecialCare Team on Facebook for upcoming free webinars.
Helpful Links:
- Greater Houston MassMutual SpecialCare website
- SpecialCare Team Facebook Page
- SpecialCare Team Resources
Support the show (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportTPS?code=New%20Website)
With an estimated 15-20% of the population showing signs of dyslexia, it is the most common cause of reading, writing and spelling difficulties in children and persists throughout life. Yet, there is still a lot of confusions among the public, including parents and teachers, when it comes to understanding this learning disability. In this episode, we sit down with reading specialists Alison Edwards and Meagan Rosales to discuss dyslexia, including the red flags to look for, when and how to get a diagnosis, ideas parents can implement at home and best practices for intervention. We also debunk some of the most common dyslexia myths.
About Our Guests
Alison Edwards is a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist (LDT) and a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) in Houston. With more than 23 years of experience in the school setting, she offers dyslexia intervention for struggling students and consulting services to parents and teachers. Alison helps navigate the daunting questions raised when children struggle in the classroom. She provides dyslexia therapy both in-person and online to help students reach their full potential.
Meagan Rosales, MEd, is a Reading Intervention Specialist at The Parish School. She earned her Master’s in Education from the University of St. Thomas in 2014. She also holds teaching certifications for Special Education EC-12, Generalist EC-6 and Reading Specialist EC-12. Meagan has a special interest in teaching children with learning differences how to read. She loves being at The Parish School because she has space to incorporate a variety of strategies to meet the needs of individual students.
Related Links:
- Alison Edwards' website
- Houston Branch of the International Dyslexia Association
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If there is one thing we’ve learned since March 2020, it’s that the rules of our society are frequently changing! The way we grocery shop, go out to eat, attend school, have birthday parties, and even interact with family members have all been altered. With changes to the social rules and expectations occurring in almost every aspect of your child’s life, it’s important to address these adjustments and teach your child how to figure out the new rules and also adapt to them.
During this bonus Unbabbled episode, Meredith and Stephanie discuss ways to support your child through the ever-changing social norms during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on front-loading situations, looking for clues in new situations, and problem solving when new changes occur.
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Have you ever sent a text asking someone how they’re doing and received the reply “great.” You may have interpreted it as your friend is having a wonderful day. However, they might have actually been having a horrible day and meant “great” sarcastically. Understanding a person’s meaning behind their words (otherwise known as pragmatic language ability) often requires knowing a lot of contextual clues, including tone of voice, body language and facial expressions. “Great” with an eye roll is vastly different from “great” with a smile. These subtle clues can be difficult to detect in many pragmatic language assessments, yet they are a large factor in determining if a person has a social communication disorder and pragmatic language difficulties.
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Adriana Lavi about her new video-based pragmatic language assessment, the Clinical Assessment of Pragmatics (CAPs). She discusses her clinical background, what led her to develop the assessment tool, and why this assessment can be more accurate in detecting pragmatic language disorders. This interview can help parents and educators understand why their child may have scored well on other language assessments, yet they struggle with reading these ever-important social cues in real situations.
About Dr. Lavi
Adriana Lavi, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a practicing licensed school-based speech-language pathologist with more than 15 years of experience working with children and young adults who present with a variety of communication disorders. She currently supervises speech-language pathologists in three school districts in Southern California. Dr. Lavi developed the Clinical Assessment of Pragmatics (CAPs) and founded the Lavi Institute for Research and Professional Development, where she completes research and develops a variety of treatment programs. She has also served as an assistant professor at the Department of Communicative Disorders at Loma Linda University. Her primary research interests focus on pragmatics, and the assessment and treatment of culturally and linguistically diverse students with communication disorders. Dr. Lavi is also a mother of four young, highly energetic little boys, ages 6, 5, 4 and 18 months.
Related links:
- The Lavi Institute for Research and Professional Development - Lavi Institute
- Lavi Institute Video Resources - Lavi Institute on YouTube
- Lavi Institute Instagram
- Where to find the CAPs - Clinical Assessment of Pragmatics
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Raising a child in a bilingual household? Hear from bilingual speech-language pathologist, Jacquilyn Carcamo, as she discusses language development and the many common misconceptions held by families, educators and even therapists in supporting children learning to speak more than one language. She provides guidance in determining whether a bilingual child is struggling with a language disorder or if their difficulties are due to learning a second language. In addition to her clinical expertise, Jacqui touches on her personal experience growing up in a bilingual family.
About Jacqui
Jacquilyn Carcamo, MA, CCC-SLP, is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist at The Parish School and The Carruth Center in Houston. She has experience in pediatric and adult settings, working with patients with a variety of communication, swallowing and feeding disorders, as well as working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. She is Hanen-certified in “It Takes Two to Talk” and “More than Words.” She enjoys furthering her education in communication disorders and staying current with research-based practice. Jacqui has a passion for naturalistic intervention and family collaboration. In addition to her work at The Parish School, Jacqui provides freelance consulting, training and resources to speech-language pathologists who work with culturally and linguistically diverse populations through Habla Cadabra SLP.
Related Links
- Find Jacqui on Instagram: Habla Cadabra SLP
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Information Page: ASHA Bilingual Service Delivery
- ASHA’s Speech-Language Pathologist Search Page: ASHA ProFind
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Being told that your child has childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) can be shocking and confusing. Since this speech/sound disorder is so rare—occurring in 1-2 children per 1,000—many doctors, educators, professionals and even speech-language pathologists have minimal understanding of it. In this episode, we speak with speech-language pathologist and childhood apraxia of speech expert, Jennie Bjorem about the characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of apraxia. She also provides tips on where parents can find a speech pathologist with CAS experience and other reliable resources.
About JennieJennie Bjorem, MA, CCC-SLP, has been a practicing SLP for over 20 years. Jennie’s areas of expertise include early intervention, parent education and childhood apraxia of speech. She is recognized by Apraxia Kids for Advanced Training in Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and travels the country presenting on the rare disorder. She owns a private pediatric clinic in Kansas and founded Bjorem Speech Publications, where she developed a variety of products to support speech/sound development at home and in therapy. Jennie is passionate about working with parents to help encourage their children in all areas of development. Related Links
- Apraxia Kids Website
- A Parents’ Guide to Apraxia
- Follow Jennie on Instagram
- Bjorem Speech Publications
- Jennie’s pediatric clinic, Children’s Therapy Services
- Jennie’s YouTube Channel
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When a child’s speech is difficult to understand, there can be many underlying causes. Their difficulty could be due to an articulation disorder, childhood apraxia of speech, a phonological processing disorder or something else entirely.
This episode, we discuss speech sound disorders with speech-language pathologist, Jessica Carter. Jessica defines what phonological processing disorders and articulation disorders are and explains how they differ from childhood apraxia of speech. We then discuss common warning signs that parents and educators can look for, as well as therapy recommendations for each diagnosis. She also lets us know what parents can expect when they go in for an assessment.
About Jessica
Jessica Carter, MS, CCC-SLP, is a bilingual speech-language pathologist and clinical faculty member at the University of Texas at Dallas’s School of Behavior and Brain Sciences, where she teaches a variety of pediatric courses including Preschool Assessment and Intervention Methods, Pediatric Motor Speech Disorders, and Bilingual Speech Assessment and Treatment. Jessica also coordinates a joint initiative between UT Dallas and the Dallas Independent School District. Prior to joining the faculty at UT Dallas, she worked in public schools, private practice and home health.
Helpful Links
- Jessica Carter Faculty Page
- What is a Speech Disorder
- Information on Speech Sound Disorders from ASHA
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Does it seem like some days your child is bouncing off the walls? Or maybe the noises, lights and activites taking place at home are causing your child to feel overstimulated? Getting children to sit through online lessons, shared book readings, or even just lunch can feel like an impossible task when they're struggling with dysregulation.
Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Sibi Samuel joins us this episode to discuss sensory-based activities and their power to help regulate emotions. Additionally, she provides simple methods for incorporating these activities at home.
About Sibi
Sibi Samuel, OTR, MOT is a licensed and registered occupational therapist at The Carruth Center. She received her master's of occupational therapy degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2014 and a master's in childhood education from Herbert H. Lehman College in 2009. After working as a teacher, Sibi obtained her master's in occupational therapy after realizing the field combines her love for working with children with her continuously growing interest in healthcare. She has practiced in a variety of settings, including a sensory integration clinic, outpatient clinic, and home health. In addition to her work at The Carruth Center, Sibi and her certified therapy dog, Jax, volunteer with Faithful Paws.
Top recommended activities:
- Silly animal walks: bear crawls, frog jumps, crab walks, horse gallops
- Sensory bins: shaving cream, dried rice or beans
- Magic carpet rides
- Play-dough
- Fort building
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With so many of us at home likely doing more cooking and cleaning than ever before, this episode explores how to turn these everyday activities into language-rich lessons for our children. Additionally, we discuss ways to build early academic skills into our everyday lives. Two fantastic Parish teaching staff, Amy Lerman and Elsie Torres-Verdejo, join us as guests.
About Amy and ElsieAmy is a certified speech-language pathologist and the Community Outreach and Social Thinking Specialist at The Parish School. On top of that, she is the lead teacher for one of The Parish School’s youngest classrooms. She has over 15 years’ experience working with the pediatric population and has a strong passion for early intervention.
Elsie is an early childhood educator at The Parish School. She began her nearly 20-year career at Parish as a paraeducator in 2000, before moving into her role as an educator. She has worked in both the elementary and early childhood programs. Elsie holds a master’s degree in education and is a certified special education teacher.
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Stay-at-home orders are now in place for much of the U.S and the world. This may leave many parents feeling stressed about keeping children entertained and busy. One simple way to keep your kids active while home is to introduce loose parts play.
Jill Wood, MLIS, explains what loose parts play is, how to implement it in your home, and the importance of play in a child’s day. She also provides ideas for everyday household items that can be used to start your loose parts play at home. This conversation will empower parents to embrace boredom and spark a bit of creativity in their child’s day.
About Jill Wood
Jill Wood is the Director of Adventure Play at The Parish School, as well as the school’s librarian. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Texas at Austin. Jill has been the Director of Adventure Play at The Parish School since 2008. Outside of The Parish School, Jill is the co-founder of Bayou City Play, an organization that sets up inclusive loose parts playgrounds at Shriner's Hospital for Children and pop-up playgrounds throughout the city of Houston. Jill believes that play is an integral part of a child’s educational and developmental experience, and, like exploring library shelves, it’s much better when there are a lot of choices and no one is telling you exactly what to choose!
Related Links:
- Parish School blog article: Loose Parts Take Part in Early Childhood Play
- Fairy Dust Teaching article: Loose Parts
- Collection of play related articles relating to Corona virus: Play Whales Article Round-Up
Loose Parts Materials:
- Cardboard tubes and boxes
- Milk crates
- Egg cartons
- Plastic bottles and caps
- Fabric – small scraps large enough for capes or fort-building are both great
- Pieces of string or ribbon
- Clothespins
- Pool noodles
- Cardboard packing material of odd shapes
- Oatmeal containers/other empty and washed food containers, including soda bottles
- Wooden spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Saucepan, cooking pot, muffin tin, bowls
- Corks
- Wrapping paper
- Tennis balls
Activities to try with and without loose parts:
- Den building
- Pirate Adventure: See Jill's Video
- Playing "store" or "hospital"
- Marble maze
- Potion-making in the yard
- Extended bath time with loose parts that float and hold water
- Wrestling
- Tree climbing
- Bike rides
- Long walks
- GoNoodle, dance parties, Cosmic Kids Yoga
Podcasts for kids:
- https://www.storynory.com/
- https://www.npr.org/podcasts/532788972/circle-round
- https://www.storypirates.com/podcast
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Talk of COVID-19 has been everywhere for weeks. But how can we speak with our children about this global pandemic without evoking fear or anxiety? We speak with Lily Yoder, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist about how to talk to children about COVID-19, as well as how parents can support their children's mental and social-emotional health through this time.
About Lily YoderLily is the Director of Student and Family Services at The Parish School. She earned her BA in Psychology from Baylor University and her MA in Psychology from Houston Baptist University. Before joining The Parish School in 2018, Lily had over 10 years of experience providing counseling and play therapy to children and families in a variety of settings. She has significant experience with young children, ADHD and anxiety disorders, and is a member of the Sam Houston Chapter of the Association for Play Therapy.
Links:
Germ Salt and Pepper Video: https://youtu.be/HulpYYaQ2Dg
GoNoodle: https://www.gonoodle.com/
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The second of our 2-part series on coronavirus resources, we look at ways to encourage and continue learning at home during a school closure or extended break. The Parish School’s Director of Elementary, Amy Richard, and Director of Early Childhood, Anne Powers, speak on keeping a regular routine, activities of daily living that have language and math built in, the power of reading aloud to build literacy and language skills, and the importance of staying active. Amy and Anne also provide digital resources for parents including Epic, Libby and Pinterest.
About Anne and Amy
Amy Richard, MS, CCC-SLP/CALT is the Director of Elementary at The Parish School. She has 20 years of experience working with school-age children with language and learning disabilities, with extensive training in dyslexia and reading therapy. Amy is also a mother who implements hands-on multi-sensory activities at home.
Anne Powers, MS, CCC-SLP is the Director of Early Childhood at The Parish School with a background in drama and early intervention. She is a Hanen-Certified trainer who is passionate about providing families with practical methods for building language, literacy and social skills at home.
Links:
- Epic Reading
- Libby App to read Library Books at home
- Scholastic Books Learn at Home Lessons
- Freckle Math Games
- Prodigy Math Game
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This is a bonus episode recorded on March 12, 2020 with pediatrician Rob Crowe, MD, in response to the recent concerns around the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. In this episode, Meredith Krimmel and guest co-host Amy Tanner speak with Dr. Crowe about COVID-19, how it differs from other viruses, and ways to keep your family healthy and safe.
About Dr. Rob Crowe
Dr. Crowe has been a pediatrician for 20 years, spending eight of those years with the army. For the last three years, he has also practiced functional medicine. Dr. Crowe recently opened a new practice in Houston called Zenith Health.
Links
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- World Health Organization (WHO) – COVID-19
- The Parish School COVID-19 Updates
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Dr. Kia Johnson discusses childhood fluency disorders, including stuttering and cluttering. Dr. Johnson explains the differences between typical disfluencies and stuttering behaviors, provides examples of stuttering behaviors, and indications that a child may be stuttering. She also talks about the importance of receiving an evaluation and therapy from a speech-language pathologist with a high level of familiarity with fluency disorders.
About Dr. JohnsonKia Johnson, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an associate professor with the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Houston where she specializes in fluency disorders, with a specific focus on young children who stutter. Her current research interest is in the examination of speech disfluencies in culturally and linguistically diverse children. Aside from teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses, she presents her research at local, national and international scholarly conferences and serves on the Board of Directors of the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH).
Links
- Dr. Kia Johnson's Faculty Page
- American Institute for Stuttering
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing
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Do you have a child who tries hard to follow instructions, concentrate and do well in school, yet despite their best efforts, continues to struggle and fall behind? This child may have a learning disability/disorder, which affects how they receive and process information. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1 in 10 school children are affected by a learning disorder.
Learning disabilities and some associated diagnoses include:
- Auditory Processing Disorder (ADP)
- Dyscalculia
- Dysgraphia
- Dyslexia
- Language Processing Disorder
- Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities
- Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit
- Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
This episode, we speak with veteran educator, Libby Hall, to discuss the basics of learning disabilities. During our chat, Libby helps us understand what a learning disability is, lists the different types of LD diagnoses, and provides common warning signs that parents and educators can look for. Additionally, she gives advice on what parents can do if they have concerns and offers at-home activities to promote early learning.
About Libby:
Libby Hall, MEd, CALP is a veteran educator of more two decades. She has worked in special education, gifted, English Language Learning, early childhood and general elementary classrooms. She has completed extensive coursework in treating children with dyslexia. Libby is currently a lead teacher at The Parish School, where she specializes in children who have communication delays and learning differences. Libby has partnered with Children’s Learning Institute in Houston to develop educator trainings and is a regionally recognized speaker.
Links:
- Red Flags for Language and Learning Disorders
- Houston Child Find
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Heather Hillery discusses how she integrates canine assistance and companion dogs into her special education classroom. Learn about the process of training an assistance dog, the research-based benefits of having a therapeutic dog, and why Heather feels so passionately about volunteering to raise them. Also hear examples of how having the puppies in classrooms has positively impacted her students.
Heather Hillery, MSEd, CCC-SLP holds a BS in Economics and went back to school after raising her family to complete her Master’s in Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has experience working with adolescents and adults with cognitive impairments in achieving their goals for education, life skills and job opportunities. Additionally, she has worked at the university level as an adjunct professor teaching undergraduate and graduate classes while providing direct clinical supervision. Heather is currently a lead educator in an elementary classroom at The Parish School and is raising her third puppy on The Parish School campus for Canine Companions for Independence, an organization that provides assistance dogs free of charge to adults, children and veterans with disabilities. She recently presented on both inquiry-based learning and the benefits of raising a service dog in a school setting at SXSW-EDU and at the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association's annual convention.
Helpful Links:
Canine Companions for Independence
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According to the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, an estimated 1 in 59 children in the U.S. have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (1 in 37 boys and 1 in 151 girls). While the prevalence of autism has increased over the past decade, it’s still a confusing, overwhelming and unfamiliar diagnosis for many families. In this episode, we speak with Cathy Guttentag, PhD, to learn what ASD is, common misconceptions, and the red flags for identification. Additionally, Cathy shares resources for parents, including where to obtain an evaluation, what to expect during the evaluation process, and which services/therapies are often recommended for children on the autism spectrum.
Dr. Guttentag is a licensed Clinical Child Psychologist and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Children’s Learning Institute at the University of Texas Health Science Center. She received her master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical child psychology from Pennsylvania State University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Texas Children’s Hospital. She specializes in providing diagnostic and developmental evaluations to infants and children with possible or diagnosed autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Guttentag has expertise in testing very young children and works collaboratively with parents to determine the most appropriate intervention plans and approaches to emotional and behavioral issues.
Helpful Links:
- Red Flags for Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Know Before You Go: Advice for Parents Who Have Concerns About ASD
- Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
- Research-Based Information on Vaccines and Autism
- Children's Learning Institute
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It’s December and for many that means the start of a very busy holiday season. From travel, to major changes in schedules, to unfamiliar holiday traditions, this can be a difficult season for children to navigate. However, there are a few simple strategies parents can use to take some stress out of the holidays for the whole family.
In this episode, our hosts Meredith and Stephanie discuss a number of tried and tested tips to help parents prepare for the challenges the holiday season may bring. While these tips were provided with children who have language and social challenges in mind, they are still excellent for trying with all children.
Resources
The Parish School Blog Post: Navigating The Holidays
American Speech-Language and Hearing Association Blog Post: Help Parents of Children With Feeding Disorders Prepare for Holiday Gatherings
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Research shows that children as young as elementary school are having experiences with drugs, alcohol, suicide and bullying, with cyber bullying peaking in sixth and seventh grades. However, there are strategies parents and educators can implement to help children avoid engaging in these high-risk behaviors.
In this episode, Crystal Collier, PhD, LPC-S discusses high-risk behaviors in children and teenagers. She gives concrete and practical tips on how to talk with children about these difficult topics in a simple and easily understood manner, and explains how bringing these topics up at an early age can reduce the chance of engaging in these high-risk behaviors down the line.
Topics mentioned are important for all families to consider and discuss with their children in a developmentally appropriate manner. However, this episode is geared toward adult listeners and contains mature content. Listener discretion is advised.
About Dr. Collier
Dr. Collier has worked with individuals suffering from mental, behavioral and substance use disorders since 1991. Her areas of expertise include adolescent brain development, parent coaching and prevention programming. She created a comprehensive prevention model to teach the neurodevelopmental effects of risky behavior to children, teens and parents. In 2018, Dr. Collier was awarded a research fellowship from the Hope and Healing Center & Institute. Her upcoming book, The Neuro Whereabouts Guide, will be available in spring 2020.
Additionally, Dr. Collier will be presenting an adult education session at The Parish School on Thursday, May 14, 2020. Save the date!
Resources
- Dr. Collier’s website: https://drcrystalcollier.com/
- Hope and Healing Center & Institute: https://hopeandhealingcenter.org/
- The Ned Show Upstander Video: http://www.allforkidz.com.au/upstander.html
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Recorded live from an adult education session held at The Parish School, this episode features return Unbabbled guest, author, professor and speaker, Jordan Shapiro, PhD.
In this episode, Jordan delivers his presentation: “The Digital Sandbox: What Grown-Ups Need to Know About the New Childhood." He discusses the fear associated with screen time; children’s use of videogames, smart phones and social media; the concept of educational technology (aka ed tech) versus traditional learning; and then opens it up to questions from the audience.
This was an evening full of learning, community and thoughtful conversation. We hope you enjoy our very first recording with a live audience, and we look forward to interacting with our listeners at future events!
About Jordan
Jordan Shapiro, PhD, is a senior fellow for the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and Nonresident Fellow in the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. Jordan also teaches at Temple University in the Intellectual Heritage Program. Jordan draws on cutting-edge research in science, philosophy, economics and psychology to show we've let fear and nostalgia stand in the way of our children's best interests. He offers optimistic, inspiring and practical advice to help adults navigate the new, digital frontier of childhood. He reframes gaming, social media and smartphones in historical context, providing a fresh, evidence-based perspective that will change the way you think about today’s connected kids.
Related Links
- Jordan Shapiro’s website: https://www.jordanshapiro.org/
- Unbabbled Episode #12: Navigating the Digital Age of Childhood with Jordan Shapiro
- The Parish School’s Adult Education Series: The Parish School Calendar
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My 18-month-old isn’t walking... My 2-year-old only says a few words... My gut tells me something’s wrong, but my pediatrician says we can wait and see. My Mom told me, “your cousin didn’t talk until 3 and she’s fine.” My friend says, “he’ll talk when he’s ready.”
Who do I listen to and where do I go for help?? If any of this sounds familiar, this episode is for you!
In this episode, Anne Powers, a speech-language pathologist and Director of Early Childhood at The Parish School discusses the importance of early intervention. During our chat, Anne touches on the importance of receiving services early, what age range is considered early intervention, and how parents can get an evaluation and find services. Additionally, she gives parents and educators a few simple methods for supporting their child’s early language development. We also asked our listeners on social media to submit their questions for Anne and received several fantastic responses that added to the conversation.
Anne Powers, MA, CCC-SLP, Director of Early Childhood at The Parish School, is passionate about helping children find their voices and believes that all children have the right to learn to communicate. Anne is a Hanen-certified trainer for Learning Language and Loving It™, a program designed to provide early childhood educators with practical strategies for helping children in the classroom to build language, literacy and social skills. She also has experience partnering with public and private schools, daycares and community centers in Pennsylvania and Texas to detect early signs of communication disorders and provide treatment for young children who have language delays.
Resources
- How to Spot a Language/Learning Disorder Early
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association:
- Identifying Signs of Communication Disorder
- Find a Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
- Early Intervention Services in Texas:
- Texas Early Childhood Intervention Birth to 3 Services
- Houston Independent School District Child Find (3-21 years)
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Developmental milestones, standardized tests and grade standards can all be great tools for parents to use as guides. However, every child is so much more than a score or answers on a test.
In this episode, Justin Keller discusses how having a child with developmental delays shifted his perspective on parenting and life in general. Justin shares how his son has changed him for the better, including being more present, accepting that his son has his own timeline, and finding the ever-elusive balance in parenting. We hope parents and educators alike will find Justin’s journey as a dad relatable.
Justin Keller is a Houston-based brand strategist, author and current Parish School parent. He’s the founder of CircleFifty Creative and author of Rebel Brands and Human Always.
Related Links:
Justin’s website: CircleFifty.com
Justin’s Books: Rebel Brands and Human Always
Justin’s Instagram: @KellerThinks
Justin’s article on competitive parenting: A Thought for Competitive Dads
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We can all pretty much agree that digital technologies such as tablets, smart phones, video games and social media, have changed the childhood of our youngest generation. But has the introduction of these technologies really differed all that much from the introduction of say…the sandbox?
In this episode, we chat with Jordan Shapiro, PhD, an educational pioneer, college professor and father of two about his unique perspective on navigating the new digital world of childhood. We spoke with Jordan about easing parent fears surrounding technological changes, ways that parents and educators can support learning through technology, and why he encourages embracing technology at an earlier age. We also discuss the importance of directly teaching the social rules of both face-to-face and digital communication.
About Jordan
Jordan Shapiro, PhD, is a senior fellow for the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and Nonresident Fellow in the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. Jordan also teaches at Temple University in the Intellectual Heritage Program. Jordan draws on cutting-edge research in science, philosophy, economics and psychology to show we've let fear and nostalgia stand in the way of our children's best interests. He offers optimistic, inspiring and practical advice to help adults navigate the new, digital frontier of childhood. He reframes gaming, social media and smartphones in historical context, providing a fresh, evidence-based perspective that will change the way you think about today’s connected kids.
Jordan is the keynote speaker at The Parish School’s 11th Annual Giving Voice to Children Luncheon held Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019 at The Junior League of Houston. Jordan is also presenting a free adult education session, The Digital Sandbox: What Grownups Need to Know About the New Childhood, that evening on The Parish School’s campus.
Related Links
Jordan Shapiro’s website: https://www.jordanshapiro.org/
NPR Article, "Author Of 'The New Childhood' Advises Parents: Don't Panic About Screen Time": https://www.npr.org/2018/12/29/680882610/author-of-the-new-childhood-advises-parents-dont-panic-about-screen-time
Jordan’s upcoming speaking engagements at The Parish School:
- The Parish School 11th Annual Luncheon: Giving Voice to Children
- Adult Education Series- The Digital Sandbox: What Adults Need to Know About The New Childhood
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When people hear the term “music therapy,” the typical picture that comes to mind is using classical or new age music to reach a state of relaxation. That is just one of the common misconceptions Karina Hall, Board-Certified Music Therapist at The Parish School, addresses. During this episode, Karina explains what music therapy is, who could benefit from it, and ways music therapy can be used to support children in reaching their fine motor, social-emotional and communication goals.
Karina Hall, MM, MT-BC, NMT, earned her BA in Music from the University of St. Thomas and her Master’s of Music from Sam Houston State University. Karina has a rich background of working with various special needs groups and providing therapy through music. Before bringing her talents to The Parish School, she was the music therapy clinic director at Sam Houston State University. Outside of The Parish School, Karina works as a music therapist with Easter Seals of Greater Houston, a non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities and other special needs. She also recently presented at the Health Museum of Houston with a lecture entitled, “Do Re Mi, ABC, 123, You and Me: Using Music in the Classroom.”
Related Links:
American Music Therapy Association: www.musictherapy.org
Certification Board for Music Therapists: www.cbmt.org
Blog post discussing using music therapy techniques at home: Rejuvenate Together - Through Music
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Since 1983, The Parish School has educated children who have communication delays and learning differences, empowering them with the tools to succeed. In this episode, The Parish School’s director of arts and sciences, Terri Garth, discusses the history of The Parish School, provides background on the school’s founder and delves into the educational philosophy, therapeutic approach, and underlying beliefs that make up “The Parish Way.” Additionally, she explains the emphasis on the arts, nature-based learning and camp-like feel to the campus atmosphere, as well as the reasoning behind our multi-aged classroom approach. This episode offers something for everyone, no matter your level of familiarity with The Parish School.
About Terri
Terri’s work as an educator began at The Parish School, where she was instrumental in the development of the school’s theater program, and later its Integrated Arts and Sciences department, which includes art and music classes and therapy, digital learning, a library with makerspace, theater, P.E., and nature studies. In addition to the big impact Terri makes in the academic lives of students, Terri co-founded the Margaret Noecker Nature Center in 2012. Utilizing The Parish School’s 17-acre campus, the Nature Center is an integrated, nature-based learning environment that facilitates children’s intellectual, social and emotional development through direct engagement with the natural world.
A former Parish parent herself, The Parish School would not be where it is today without Terri’s guidance, experience and passion.
Related Articles/Links:
The Parish School Website: www.parishschool.org
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Back-to-school is often a time of mixed feelings for both children and parents, especially if the child has communication, motor or learning difficulties. In this episode, hosts Stephanie and Meredith discuss tips to help families make the transition from summer to school smooth and positive for the whole family. They discuss the importance of building communication with the teacher, attending meet-the-teacher events, getting back to a routine, and involving your child in the back-to-school process. Whether they’re entering preschool, moving up a grade level or starting a new school altogether, this episode will help start your year off strong.
Stephanie and Meredith have more than 45 years’ combined experience as parents, classroom teachers and speech-language pathologists! They also use many of these ideas with their own children.
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“Talk to your pediatrician.” It’s the advice parents hear frequently when they have a concern about their child. However, no one tells you how to bring up these concerns or what to look for in the pediatrician’s response. In this episode, Marshall Lerman, MD discusses tips for finding a pediatrician that fits your family and bringing up concerns with your doctor, while empowering you to become a strong advocate for your children.
Dr. Lerman received his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He completed his pediatric residency training at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He graduated with highest honors from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in government and a minor in business administration. He also holds a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center where he made law review, serving as an editor of the Georgetown Law Journal. Dr. Lerman is a licensed attorney by the State Bar of Texas and is board eligible by the American Board of Pediatrics.
Related Links:
- Dr. Marshall Lerman’s practice - Bootin and Savrick Pediatric Associates
- Advice for parents who have concerns about autism when speaking to their pediatrician - Know Before You Go
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Children with communication disorders and learning differences are more likely than their neurotypical peers to have mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. In this episode Lily Yoder, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT), joins us to discuss the basics of mental health in young children and the overlap between communication disorders, learning differences and mental health disorders. She shares indicators your child might need intervention to work through their struggles, information on how to seek help and gives clarification on the roles of a licensed professional counselor, psychologist and psychiatrist.
Lily is the Director of Student and Family Services at The Parish School. She earned her BA in Psychology from Baylor University and her MA in Psychology from Houston Baptist University. Before joining The Parish School in 2018, Lily had over 10 years of experience providing counseling and play therapy to children and families in a variety of settings. She has significant experience with young children, ADHD and anxiety disorders, and is a member of the Sam Houston Chapter of the Association for Play Therapy.
Related References and Articles:
Mental Health and Everyday Well-Being
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For parents of young children, eating is often one of their top struggles. Are they eating enough? Are they eating the right things? My child only eats nuggets, fries and crackers - help! In this episode, Occupational Therapist, Jennifer Woody, discusses picky eating and provides some much-needed clarification on what is "typical" for young children. We also provide resources for families and things parents can do at home to support their child’s eating and development.
Related Links:
- Speech-Language Pathologist Melanie Potock’s website
- Occupational Therapist Alisha Grogran’s website
- Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding Approach
- Ellen Satter Institute
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Childhood Apraxia of Speech expert Nancy Kaufman explains the unique disorder while discussing her treatment approach and steps parents can take toward diagnosis and treatment.
Nancy is a speech-language pathologist, renowned expert in childhood apraxia of speech, and the owner and director of the Kaufman Children’s Center. Since 1979, she has dedicated herself to establishing the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP), a treatment approach to help children become effective vocal communicators. Nancy lectures locally, nationally, and internationally on the subject of CAS and other childhood speech-sound disorders. Families from around the country and the world travel to the KCC to participate in her intensive and specialized therapy programs.
To learn more about Nancy and the Kaufman Children's Center, visit https://www.kidspeech.com/
More Apraxia Information/Resources:
- https://www.apraxia-kids.org/
- https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/childhood-apraxia-of-speech/
Related Articles:
- “What is a Speech Disorder?”
- “A Parent's Guide to Apraxia”
- “Nancy Kaufman: The Apraxia ‘Guru’ and her Methodology”
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According to today’s research, you need two things to be successful in adulthood, and grades aren’t one of them – social competence and grit. In this episode, nationally-recognized speaker on Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking® methodology and founder of the Social Learning program at The Parish School, Renee Attaway, discusses social-emotional learning, and its far-reaching impact on a child’s development. Our team discusses how social isn’t just about playing together on the playground, but also how the social world plays into academics, and how to support social-emotional learning at home and in the classroom.
Related/Referenced Articles:
- Aren't Academics Enough for my Child to be Successful: Why Social Competence is so Important Renee Attaway The Parish School Blog
- Teaching Social Skills to Improve Grades and Life David Borstien New York Times Opinion
Related Links:
- Social Thinking- Renee Attaway's Speaker Page
- Social Thinking Website
- Social Learning at The Parish School
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Navigating the world of special education, communication delays and learning differences can be a challenge. Tune in twice a month to hear Stephanie Landis and Meredith Krimmel, two speech-language pathologists at The Parish School, interview guests from parents to industry professionals with the goal of providing guidance, insight and hope to those touched by children who are differently wired. Each episode will cover a different topic related to education or child development. Whether you’re the parent or caregiver of a neurodiverse child who has autism, a speech-language delay or a learning disability, or you’re an educator who works with special needs children, this show is for you.
For more info, www.parishschool.org/unbabbled
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Playworkers Ali Wood and Jill Wood talk about adventure playgrounds and the importance of free-play and risk-taking in a child’s development. Adventure playgrounds are environments where children create their own worlds and build their own play space with a variety of tools and scrap material: lumber, hammers, nails, house paint, yards of fabric, pallets, wooden crates, and plenty of time and freedom. On these sites, children are supported by adults trained in the professional practice of playwork, a unique approach that puts the child’s ideas and objectives first.
Resources:
Where to buy Ali Wood’s book “Reflective Playwork”
- https://www.amazon.com/Reflective-Playwork-all-work-children/dp/1441167684
Jill Wood’s Articles on Adventure Play:
- “Conflict and Play in a Child’s World”
- “More About the Spaces We Love: Adventure Play!”
More info on Bayou City Play:
- https://www.facebook.com/bayoucityplay/
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Elementary educator Jessica Brock explains project/inquiry-based learning and discusses how it is an engaging and effective teaching method for children who learn differently.
Definitions of Terms:
Pragmatic language, also referred to as social communication, is the rules of how we use language, these often change within different social situations. *There are three main skill areas of pragmatic language: 1. Using language for a variety of purposes (asking, telling, greeting) 2. Changing language to fit the listener (speaking differently at home vs. work) 3. Following rules of conversation and storytelling (turn taking, topic maintenance).
Executive functioning includes the ability to focus, remember, plan, think critically, shift ideas and juggle multiple tasks. It is an umbrella term used to describe the mental abilities (or cognitive processes) necessary for flexible, goal-oriented behavior and self-control.
The Parish School groups students of varying ages and developmental levels into classes. For your reference, the following elementary levels are referenced in this episode: Primary Elementary (Ages 5 – 7 years), Lower Elementary (Ages 7 – 9 years), and Upper Elementary (Ages 9 – 11 years).
Related Articles:
- “Teaching 21st Century Skills Through Inquiry/Project-Based Learning”
- “Inquiry/Project-Based Learning at The Parish School”
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Professor, author and creativity expert Dr. Ron Beghetto shares his advice on how parents and educators can help children utilize their strengths and develop confidence by allowing space for creativity within structured learning experiences.
Guest info, including bio, books and publications: http://www.ronaldbeghetto.com/
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