Speech Therapy Blog

A lateral lisp is different from the type of lisp that many young children naturally outgrow. Instead of directing airflow through the center of the mouth, air escapes over one or both sides of the tongue, creating a slushy or distorted speech sound. Because lateral lisps are not considered developmental, they typically do not resolve on their own and often benefit from speech therapy. Whether you're concerned about your child's speech or you're an adult looking to improve yo

Why Can't I Understand What I Read If you can read every word on a page but still feel like nothing is “sticking,” you’re not alone. This is one of the most common reading comprehension concerns in both children and adults. You may be reading fluently—but not fully understanding the meaning, forgetting what you just read, or needing to re-read the same sentence multiple times. This doesn’t always mean a lack of intelligence or effort. In many cases, reading comprehension diff

Many children—and even some adults—have difficulty pronouncing the /r/ sound. You may notice that your child says "wabbit" instead of "rabbit" or can say /r/ correctly in some words but not others. Others may produce /r/ accurately in conversation but struggle with more challenging words or reading aloud. The /r/ sound is one of the most complex sounds in American English because it requires precise tongue positioning and coordination. Unlike many other speech sounds, there i

Did you suddenly start stuttering as an adult? If you've never struggled with stuttering before, suddenly experiencing speech disruptions can feel confusing or even frightening. You may wonder whether stress caused it, whether it's temporary, or whether it's a sign of a neurological condition. While developmental stuttering usually begins during childhood, adults can develop sudden-onset stuttering for several different reasons. In this guide, you'll learn the possible causes

Does your child speak so quickly that words seem to run together? Do people frequently ask them to slow down or repeat themselves? Or do they get "stuck" on sounds and words when talking? While many people have heard of stuttering, cluttering is much less well known. Because cluttering and stuttering can look similar—but require different treatment approaches—getting the correct diagnosis is important. In this guide, you'll learn the differences between cluttering and stutter

A strong vocabulary helps children understand what they read, express themselves clearly, and succeed academically. Children with language-learning disabilities often have difficulty learning and using new words, making classroom learning more challenging. Fortunately, speech therapy can strengthen vocabulary, language comprehension, and the communication skills children use every day. Language-Based Learning Disabilities (LLD) encompass a range of difficulties related to und

Learn how bullying affects children who stutter, warning signs to watch for, practical ways to help, and when speech therapy may be beneficial.

Struggling with mumbling? Discover clarity tips & expert help with Speak with Stephanie!

Unveiling Lisping: Types, Causes & Fixes. Dive into personalized therapy plans & techniques to conquer lisping in children & adults.

Mastering Memory: Understanding, Enhancing, and Preserving Cognitive Function. Expert tips for improving memory & the role of speech therapy

Wondering if your child will outgrow stuttering? Learn the signs of childhood stuttering, what causes it, and when speech therapy may be the right next step.

Addressing Developmental Language Disorders (DLD) can be daunting. Our guide offers insight for parents and individuals, easing the journey.

Uncover the differences between articulation and phonological disorders in this guide.

Children with expressive and receptive language disorders often struggle in school—not because they lack intelligence, but because language is the foundation for learning. Difficulties understanding directions, learning new vocabulary, answering questions, reading comprehension, and solving word problems can all affect academic success. Before becoming a speech-language pathologist, I earned my Bachelor's degree in math and spent ten years tutoring students. During that time,

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ recent decision to move away from the “wait and see” philosophy to more proactive intervention when dealing with childhood obesity got me reflecting on how “wait and see” is still used in many other aspects of children's development. My son was born 6 weeks early, which can be a real cause for concern for many parents including me. We had noticed that he seemed to be a little behind in developing grasping skills, so we decided to raise our

Aphasia Awareness Month blog: Understand aphasia's impact, causes, and support strategies. Speech therapy by Stephanie Jeret.

Strategies to improve Executive Functioning skills (for children)

Insights on autism from a Speech-Language Pathologist. Discover tips for supporting your child's communication and skills.

In this post, I explain: What is Executive Function? Disorders that Share Symptoms with Challenges in Executive Function Skills How Long Does it Take to Learn and Use Executive Functioning Skills? What Areas of the Brain are Associated with Executive Functioning? Task Initiation Task Completion Organization Focus Working Memory Response Inhibition Time Management Flexible Thinking Self-Regulation Emotional Self Control Executive Function Coaching near Skokie, Illinois What is

If you've ever wondered why someone who stutters may speak fluently when they're alone but stutter during conversations, you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions I hear as a speech-language pathologist. Researchers have studied this phenomenon for years, and it's known as the "talk-alone effect." It got me thinking about something that happened recently. It was raining in Illinois, so I spent the day indoors with my 10-month-old son. We usually go for a morning