Facing the Fear: A Recap of Our March Webinar on Public Speaking

Last month, the SaSS KC team hosted a free virtual event designed to tackle one of the most common challenges professionals face: the fear of public speaking. And let us tell you—it was a hit!

We were thrilled to welcome attendees from all walks of life, each one ready to build confidence and boost their communication skills. Led by our very own Sydney Parriott, a licensed speech-language pathologist, the session focused on real, research-backed strategies for managing public speaking anxiety—without the fluff.

Here’s what a few participants had to say:

“Really appreciated the concrete tools and tips Sydney gave to help conquer my public speaking fears! Great session!”

“I absolutely love what you were sharing and have already done a little research myself on how the brain affects certain areas in life and communication or showing up.”

“I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity to attend your webinar last time, it was very insightful!”

These kinds of responses are exactly why we do what we do. At SaSS KC, we believe that communication coaching isn’t just for CEOs or TED Talk speakers—it’s for everyone. Whether you're managing a team, leading a presentation, or simply trying to express yourself more clearly in meetings, sharpening your professional skills can make a huge difference.

As Kansas City speech professionals, we’re proud to offer services that are backed by science and led by experts in the field of speech-language pathology. And yes, we heard you loud and clear—you want more! We're currently planning additional group sessions and personalized coaching opportunities to help even more people step up to the mic with confidence.

So if you’ve ever searched "how to get better at public speaking" or “speech-language pathology near me,” we’ve got you covered. Whether you're seeking 1:1 support or interested in team-based training, our communication coaching in Kansas City is here to meet your goals with heart, humor, and a lot of brain science.

Want to make the next webinar? We will be hosting another presentation on May 28th from 12-1pm. Sign-up via our EventBrite link below!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1308644042559?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Role of Communication in Executive Presence

In today’s fast-paced business world, executive presence isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the difference between being heard and being truly influential. Whether you’re leading a team, pitching an idea, or networking with industry leaders, your ability to communicate with confidence and clarity can shape how others perceive your leadership potential. At Speech & Swallowing Specialists of KC, our Kansas City speech professionals specialize in communication coaching to help professionals refine their executive presence and leadership impact.

What Is Executive Presence?

Executive presence is a blend of confidence, clarity, and connection. It’s not just about what you say—it’s about how you say it. A strong executive presence can inspire trust, command attention, and make people want to follow your lead. But without effective communication skills, even the most knowledgeable professionals can struggle to project authority and confidence.

The Communication Pillars of Executive Presence

Developing a commanding executive presence requires mastering several key communication skills:

1. Vocal Clarity and Authority

Your voice carries your message, and how you use it determines how others perceive you. A speech-language pathologist can help refine your intonation, pacing, and articulation to ensure that your speech is clear, engaging, and authoritative. If you’ve ever searched for public speaking training near me, you know how crucial voice control is in making a lasting impact.

2. Nonverbal Communication and Body Language

Your posture, eye contact, and gestures communicate just as much as your words. A communication coach can teach you how to use nonverbal cues to exude confidence and engage your audience effectively. Research shows that strong eye contact and purposeful hand gestures can enhance credibility and audience connection.

3. The Art of Concise and Impactful Messaging

Executives with strong communication skills know how to deliver clear, concise messages without unnecessary filler. Professional coaching can help you refine your messaging, ensuring that every word serves a purpose and resonates with your audience.

4. Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety

Even the most accomplished professionals can struggle with public speaking anxiety. Our speech-language pathologyservices provide evidence-based strategies to reduce anxiety and improve speech fluency. If you’ve been searching for public speaking training near me, our tailored coaching can help you feel prepared and confident in any professional setting.

How Professional Coaching Can Elevate Your Career

Investing in communication coaching isn’t just about improving your speaking skills—it’s about enhancing your overall professional presence and leadership impact. Whether you're a rising leader, seasoned executive, or entrepreneur, working with a speech pathologist can help you:

• Speak with confidence in high-stakes meetings and presentations

• Navigate difficult conversations with authority

• Strengthen relationships through effective verbal and nonverbal communication

• Increase influence and credibility within your organization.

Take the Next Step Toward Executive Presence

If you’re ready to refine your communication skills and enhance your executive presence, our Kansas City speech professionals are here to help. Our expert-led communication coaching programs provide personalized professional coaching tailored to your unique needs. Contact us today to learn more and take the first step toward mastering executive communication.

Ready to elevate your presence? Let’s start the conversation!

The Connection Between Feeding and Speech: What Parents Should Know

Feeding and speech development are more intertwined than many parents realize. The muscles used for sucking, chewing, and swallowing are the same ones that help children form sounds and words. When feeding challenges arise, speech and language development may also be affected. Understanding this connection is essential for parents and healthcare providers seeking in-home swallowing therapy for children, as early intervention can make a significant difference.

How Feeding Impacts Speech Development

Babies begin strengthening their oral muscles from the moment they start sucking and swallowing in infancy. This early practice helps lay the foundation for speech development. Research indicates that children with prolonged tube feeding or oral aversions may have delayed speech and language skills due to reduced oral motor experience (Delaney & Arvedson, 2008). Proper oral stimulation through feeding builds the strength and coordination necessary for articulation, breath control, and overall speech clarity.

Why Early Weaning from Tube Feeds Matters

For children who require a feeding tube due to medical complications, early weaning is critical to avoid long-term feeding and speech difficulties. Studies have shown that prolonged tube feeding can lead to oral aversion, sensory issues, and delayed oral motor development, which may impact a child’s ability to speak clearly (Krom et al., 2017). Our Wean2Thrive program at Speech & Swallowing Specialists of KC provides pediatric feeding therapy designed to help children transition to oral feeding as soon as they are medically able.

In addition to the mechanical aspects of speech, feeding therapy helps address sensory regulation and coordination, which are essential for both eating and verbal communication. Our feeding specialists use evidence-based techniques to help children feel comfortable with new textures, temperatures, and consistencies, all while improving their ability to produce sounds more effectively.

The Role of Pediatric Feeding Therapy

Families searching for feeding therapy near them often don’t realize that a feeding specialist can do more than just help their child eat. Pediatric feeding therapy works on:

• Strengthening oral motor function to improve chewing, swallowing, and speech production.

• Desensitizing oral aversion to help children tolerate a variety of food textures.

• Building sensory-motor integration to support speech clarity and expressive language skills.

• Creating a positive feeding environment to prevent mealtime stress and encourage communication.

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How Wean2Thrive Supports Your Child’s Development

Our Wean2Thrive program is designed to support children with feeding difficulties in a holistic, step-by-step approach. Led by experienced infant feeding specialists, our team provides customized in-home and outpatient services to help children transition from tube feeding to oral intake while also supporting their speech and language development. Food therapy is integrated into sessions, ensuring that children not only gain nutrition but also develop the essential oral skills needed for speech.

If you're looking for speech therapy in Kansas City or need expert guidance on tube feed weaning, our team is here to help. Contact Speech & Swallowing Specialists of KC today to learn how Wean2Thrive can support your child’s feeding and speech journey.

References

• Delaney, A. L., & Arvedson, J. C. (2008). Development of swallowing and feeding: Prenatal through first year of life. Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 14(2), 105-117.

• Krom, H., de Winter, J. P., & Kindermann, A. (2017). Development, prevention, and treatment of feeding tube dependency. European Journal of Pediatrics, 176(6), 683-688.