Helping Your Loved One Make Progress Between Speech Therapy Sessions

Speech therapy doesn’t start and stop when the session ends. In fact, some of the most meaningful progress happens in the everyday moments in between. The good news? You don’t need to be a therapist to support carryover at home—you just need a few simple, intentional strategies.

Here are some ways you can help your loved one continue building skills between sessions:

1. Stay Connected Through Remote Therapy Monitoring (RTM) 

Remote Therapy Monitoring (RTM) is a simple way for your therapist to stay involved in your loved one’s progress throughout the week—not just during appointments.

In everyday terms, RTM might look like:

• Getting short home practice activities or tips sent directly to you

• Tracking how often your loved one practices

• Messaging or checking in with your therapist between sessions

Think of it as a “bridge” between visits that keeps therapy active and personalized. It also helps your therapist adjust goals in real time based on what’s actually happening at home.

2. Observe a Session and Learn the Strategies 

One of the most powerful things you can do is simply watch. Join a session (in person or virtually) and pay attention to:

• How the therapist gives cues or prompts

• What kinds of words or sounds they target

• How they respond when your loved one struggles or succeeds

Jot down a few notes and try one or two of those strategies at home. You don’t need to replicate the whole session, just small, consistent efforts that will go a long way.

3. Build Practice Into Daily Routines 

Carryover requires intention, not necessarily extra time

Look for natural opportunities throughout your day:

• Practice speech sounds during meals, bath time, or car rides

• Encourage communication during play or while reading books

• Pause and give your loved one time to respond instead of anticipating their needs

These real-life moments are where skills truly stick.

4. Find a Support System (For You and Your Loved One)

You are not alone in this. Connecting with others who understand your experience can make a huge difference.

• Join a parent or caregiver support group

• Look for community groups where your loved one can interact with peers

• Share wins, challenges, and ideas with people who “get it”

Support systems don’t just provide encouragement, they often give you practical strategies you may not have considered.

5. Keep Communication Open with Your Therapist

If something isn’t working at home, say so. If something is working, definitely say that too. Your therapist can adjust strategies, simplify techniques, or build on what’s already successful.

The more we collaborate, the more effective therapy becomes.

Final Thought

Consistency beats perfection every time. You don’t need to do everything, you just need to do something regularly. Those small, repeated efforts between sessions are what turn progress into lasting change.

What to Expect During Your Child's Speech & Language Evaluation

If your child has been referred for a speech and language evaluation, it’s completely normal to wonder what the process will look like. Our goal is to make the experience informative, collaborative, and as comfortable as possible—for both you and your child. Here’s what you can expect:

A thorough case history

  - We’ll start by asking detailed questions about your child’s development, medical history, communication skills, and any concerns you’ve noticed.

  - This helps us understand the full picture—not just what we see during the evaluation.

Standardized assessment (when appropriate)

  - Based on your concerns, we may use formal testing tools to gather objective data.

  - This could include:

    - An articulation test if speech sound production is the primary concern

    - A language assessment if understanding or using language is the focus

    - Reading and writing tasks for school-aged children, when relevant

A natural language sample

  - We’ll engage your child in conversation or play to observe how they communicate in a more natural setting.

  - With your permission, we may record this portion so we can:

    - Stay fully engaged with your child during the session

    - Review their communication more carefully afterward

Discussion of meaningful, functional goals

  - We’ll talk through what skills would have the greatest positive impact on your child’s daily life.

  - Goals are:

    - Measurable

    - Individualized

    - Appropriate for your child’s age and developmental level

A child-centered, play-based approach

  - Especially for younger children, we keep the evaluation as engaging and play-based as possible.

  - This helps us see your child’s true abilities in a comfortable, low-pressure environment.

A detailed evaluation report

  - After the evaluation, you’ll receive a written report that includes:

    - Results and observations

    - Recommended goals

    - Suggested therapy frequency (if services are recommended)

We view this process as a partnership. All the pieces: your insights, concerns, and priorities are an essential part of creating the best plan for your child moving forward.

All the pieces: a thorough case history, standardized assessment, natural language sample, discussion of goals, child-centered approach, and detailed evaluation report work together to create the best plan for your child moving forward.

Feeling Awkward Communicating at Work? You're Not Alone- and You Don't Have to Stay Stuck

If you’ve ever found yourself overthinking an email, replaying a conversation in your head, or avoiding speaking up in meetings because you’re unsure how you’ll come across… you’re not alone. Feeling awkward at work is more common than people admit. The good news? There’s a structured, supportive way to improve: communication coaching. Communication is a skill, and we can help you!

What is Communication Coaching?

Communication coaching is a personalized approach to helping individuals build confidence and effectiveness in how they express themselves at work.

Instead of generic advice, coaching focuses on:

- Your specific communication challenges  

- Real-life situations you’re navigating  

- Practical strategies you can apply immediately  

Think of it as having a guide who helps you close the gap between what you want to say and what actually comes out.

Signs You Might Benefit from Communication Coaching

You don’t have to struggle loudly to need support. Some common signs include:

- You hesitate to speak up in meetings  

- You worry about sounding “too blunt” or “not confident enough”  

- You avoid difficult conversations (feedback, conflict, boundaries)  

- You feel misunderstood by coworkers or leadership  

- You spend too much time rewriting emails or messages  

If any of these hit a little too close to home, coaching can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

What Does Coaching Actually Work On?

Communication coaching isn’t just about “speaking better.” It targets the real barriers that get in your way:

1. Clarity  

Learn how to organize your thoughts so your message lands the first time.

2. Confidence  

Build comfort speaking up—even in high-stakes or uncomfortable situations.

3. Tone & Delivery  

Find the balance between being direct and being approachable.

4. Workplace Dynamics  

Navigate different personalities, leadership styles, and expectations.

5. Real-Time Practice  

Work through actual scenarios—like preparing for a tough conversation or presentation.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Strong communication doesn’t just make work easier, it directly impacts:

- Career growth and leadership opportunities  

- Relationships with coworkers and supervisors  

- Stress levels and job satisfaction  

When communication improves, everything else tends to follow.

 A Final Thought

Feeling awkward doesn’t mean you’re bad at communication—it usually means you’ve never been taught how to do it effectively. That’s fixable. With the right support, you can go from second-guessing yourself to speaking with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Interested in communication coaching?  

We offer individualized coaching designed to meet you where you are and help you get where you want to go—without the guesswork.

Reach out to learn more or schedule a session.