The Speech Space Podcast

This episode discusses the importance of hearing care and protection. I review the concept of decibels and the difference between sound intensity and sound loudness, and talk about how excessive noise exposure damages our hearing. I focus on how to educate students and clients about hearing protection, and share some hearing protection tips for a variety of age groups. The show notes from this episode can be accessed here:

This episode is about neurodiversity-affirming speech therapy. I review the basic terminology of the neurodiversity paradigm, and explain what inspired the creation of this episode. I acknowledge the concerns that some SLPs have about the neurodiversity movement, and share why I’m excited to be a neurodiversity-affirming SLP. I also offer my favorite idea for getting started with neurodiversity-affirming speech therapy.

This episode is about using music to support speech and language skills in our speech therapy sessions. I introduce some of the research that supports connections between music and learning, and then provide a variety of practical ideas for how to use music in speech therapy with both older and younger students. The episode concludes with a brief exploration of how music is experienced in the Deaf community. The show notes from this episode can be accessed here:

This episode is about ideas for spring-themed speech therapy sessions. I discuss how to use nature in spring-themed speech therapy sessions, including observing the weather, going on nature walks, and planting seeds. I include options for adapting these ideas for different contexts, including teletherapy. I also share spring-themed picture book recommendations, and ideas for spring-themed speech therapy sessions with middle school and high school students. The show notes from this episode can be accessed here:

This episode focuses on the important role that SLPs can play in helping their students and clients feel safe and ready to learn. I review basic information about trauma, and then cover topics related to trauma-informed speech therapy. The episode includes an explanation of the principles of trauma-informed care, and practical suggestions for how to put them into practice during your speech therapy sessions. The show notes from this episode can be accessed here:

This episode discusses how to be an anti-ableist SLP. In the episode, I talk about the importance of recognizing ableism's influence, and then actively pushing back against it by using inclusive language, being thoughtful about our goal choices, supporting accessibility for disabled SLPs, and addressing ableist microaggressions. Go here to access the show notes ==> https://www.thedigitalslp.com/podcast/how-to-be-an-anti-ableist-slp/

This episode is all about new perspectives on stuttering and it's the second half of a 2-part series. Make sure to listen to part one first so it all comes together. In this episode, I address topics like stuttering gain, concepts of stutter-affirming therapy, key elements of effective self-disclosure, and intersectionality. The show notes from this episode can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/TSSEP126

This podcast episode is all about new perspectives on stuttering. This is the first of a two-part series, so be sure to tune in for part two in two weeks. Listen to part one to learn more and don’t forget to check out the links and resources by accessing the show notes here: https://bit.ly/TSSEP125

This episode's topic focuses on embracing imperfection. Join our podcast as we explore the liberating journey of pushing back against perfectionism, fostering growth, and celebrating the beauty of authenticity. Go here to access the notes = = > https://bit.ly/3H1Cr4L

This episode's topic involves a lot of complexity and nuance. We’ll talk about what a growth mindset actually is, and why it could be beneficial to have one. We’ll also discuss some of the criticisms and caveats when it comes to a growth mindset, and explore healthy ways to cultivate growth mindsets, both with our students and in ourselves. Go here to access the show notes: https://bit.ly/TSSEP123

This podcast episode is all about how NOT to use digital resources. I wanted to mention that this isn’t the first time we have talked about this topic on the podcast. In 2019, I recorded an episode called “How Not to Use Technology in Speech Therapy.” I’ll be covering some of the same themes today, and expanding on some of the ideas that were mentioned in that episode. I’ll also bring some new suggestions into the mix. Go here to access the show notes: https://bit.ly/TSSEP122

In this episode, I’ll be talking about some simple strategies to minimize overwhelm during the holiday season. Go here to access the show notes: https://bit.ly/TSSEP121

In this episode, we’ll be exploring the emotion of awe - what it is, why it’s important, and how to help our students access it - and hopefully access it ourselves, too! Go here to access the show notes: https://bit.ly/TSSEP120

This episode is all about anxiety. I will focus on how anxiety impacts learning, and what SLPs can do to support their students and clients who experience anxiety. Go here to access the show notes: https://bit.ly/TSSEP119

Previously, I published two podcast episodes about the eight parts of speech, different types of phrases and clauses, sentence types and classifications, and the most common syntax issues we might see with our students. In this episode, I'll be discussing evidence-based grammar interventions for speech therapy. Go here to access the show notes: https://bit.ly/TSSEP118

In this episode, we’ll be talking about lateral lisps. A lateral lisp affects sounds that require centralized airflow, like /s/ and /z/. When a client exhibits a lateral lisp, the airflow isn’t centralized - it’s lateralized. This results in a distortion that causes the sound to be “slushy” or “mushy.” Go here to access the show notes: https://bit.ly/TSSEP117

In this episode, I will be talking about how to integrate virtual reality, or VR, into speech therapy. Essentially, VR involves using computer technology to create a simulated 3D environment. In general, I think VR can be incredibly useful for many different scenarios in speech therapy. It’s especially helpful in terms of generalization of skills, because it allows the student or client to have experiences that go beyond the walls of the school or clinic setting, although of course they’re not physically going anywhere at all. Go here to access the show notes: https://bit.ly/TSSEP116

In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite tips for surviving scary meetings. Meetings can be especially tricky, because they’re so time-consuming, and often we don’t control the scheduling. Meetings are also challenging for those of us who are introverts or struggle with anxiety. There are also some meetings that are just rough, no matter how confident or extroverted we are. Those are the types of meetings we’ll be talking about today. We can’t always change the meetings, but we can change our experience of them. Go here to access the show notes: https://bit.ly/TSSEP15

In this episode, I talk about executive function basics for SLPs. I mostly focus on covering what executive function skills actually are and what we use them for. I also spend sometime discussing how they connect to language skills and how SLPs can support executive function skills with their students and clients. Go here to access the show notes: https://bit.ly/TSSEP114

What is mindfulness? How can mindfulness make you a better SLP? According to UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center, mindfulness is simply “paying attention to our present moment experience, with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to be with what is.” In this episode, I’ll discuss what mindfulness is and isn’t and share some easy ways to incorporate mindfulness into our lives. I’ll also look at some exciting research related to mindfulness and cover a few ways that mindfulness can help us become better SLPs. Go here to access the show notes: https://bit.ly/TSSEP113