MidCoast SLP

01/29/2026

Play, connection, and space!

No flashcards, no “say it again”, no “what’s this?”, no pressure.

Research shows children develop expressive language best through responsive interaction, play, and natural language modeling—not forced repetition. When communicative pressure is reduced, engagement increases and spontaneous language is more likely to emerge.

Do you see your child understanding so much but they’re still finding their voice? This approach may be a supportive next step.

You’re always welcome here.

01/20/2026

There’s no one “right” way to do carryover.

Real life is busy, days are full, and progress isn’t about doing everything perfectly—it’s about finding what works for your family and fitting it in when you can.

Open communication and true teamwork with your SLP make all the difference. Do what you can—it truly counts. 🤍

A huge shoutout to Ms. Gina for meeting us exactly where we are every step of the way—whether that’s a bright blue sticky note on the fridge, positive feedback after a video (see practice above!), or thoughtful problem-solving together to find strategies that actually work for our family. This is the kind of support that that makes home progress feel possible—and sustainable!

01/08/2026

Unexpected moments are powerful learning opportunities. And in speech therapy, flexibility is a skill — and it deserves to be noticed.

When a balloon popped unexpectedly, Mr. X used his familiar vocalization to let us know he didn’t like that. He could have switched activities. Instead, he showed flexibility by accepting a new balloon and continuing.

That moment mattered.

Through total communication, we supported gestures, sounds, AAC, emotions, and words — valuing every attempt while reinforcing adaptability in a safe, connected way.

Noticing flexibility builds confidence, resilience, and trust.

And connection makes space for all of it! 🤍

01/07/2026

12/22/2025

The holidays can shift routines, energy, and expectations—and that can change how communication looks day to day.

Quiet moments don’t mean growth has stopped.
They often mean kids are regulating, processing, and taking it all in.

There’s no pressure to “keep up” this season.
Showing up with warmth and flexibility is more than enough. 🤍

12/08/2025

I LOVE what I do, all day! I can’t believe how lucky I am to experience such a joy. I’m proud of the support behind me, and the profession I’m in that allows me to support and team with amazing kids and families to make a difference together!

11/05/2025

A parent recently texted an update that made my day: their child independently initiated a social question with a classmate, who responded and kept the conversation going — something that used to feel SO hard.

In our sessions, we’ve been practicing real-life situations to build confidence and prepare for moments just like this — with the goal of independent generalization in natural environments.

By the end of the day, the teacher shared with the family that this special girl now has “a new BFF” and did an amazing job socializing during centers.

These are the victories we celebrate — the real-world moments where communication confidence blooms as a child finds their voice, connects with others, and thrives across environments! 💛

10/21/2025

Celebrating progress over perfection is at the heart of child-centered therapy.

Can we agree that silly voices, wiggly bodies, and overexaggerated facial expressions make it all real? They remind us that speech therapy is human, joyful, and full of connection.

When laughter fills the room, when a child finds their voice, when trust starts to grow — that’s where real progress begins.

Progress is built on moments that seem small… until they aren’t.

And to every parent cheering from the sidelines: your encouragement matters more than you know. Keep celebrating those tiny wins — they build confidence that lasts a lifetime! 🤍

09/30/2025

There’s a moment in speech therapy that can’t be measured on any assessment—it’s when a child finally lets you into their world.

It’s not instant. It’s earned through listening closely, honoring every attempt to communicate—verbal or not—being playful, noticing what lights them up, and following THEIR lead, not ours.

Then one day, something shifts: they hand you their favorite toy, pause to let you take a turn, or look at you with that spark that says, “You get me.”

That first genuine initiation isn’t just a communication milestone—it’s an invitation. And as a speech-language pathologist, I know it’s one of the most sacred gifts I’ll ever receive. ❤️

09/25/2025

I am SO proud of this superstar! 5️⃣ months of incredibly hard work led to Miss R graduating from speech therapy today! 🌟 Her dedication, effort, and positive spirit made all the difference, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this milestone. 🎉💬 Here’s to confidence, growth, and all the amazing things ahead! 💕

09/18/2025

Did you know that most language growth happens between therapy sessions and in natural environments? 🤯

Using speech therapy strategies to expand your child’s language skills at home can be extremely helpful! By embedding expansion strategies into daily life, caregivers can turn every day routines into a language-learning opportunity.

1. Expectant Pauses
Start communicating, then pause and wait — don’t rush to fill silence.
·“Ready, set… (pause)” → Child: “Go!”
·“5 little monkeys jumping on the (pause)” → Child: “Bed!”

How it helps: Expectant pauses are powerful because they shift the interaction from adult-led input to child-led output, giving a child time and encouragement to express themselves. They also support communication initiation and reduce prompt dependency.

2. Repetition & Routines
Embed target words/phrases/songs in daily routines.
· Always say “Open the door!” when leaving.
· Make it fun! Consistently use songs during transitions that may be challenging.

How it helps: Routines provide predictable structure that reduces stress during transitions, while also giving repeated, meaningful opportunities for children to hear, practice, and master language in context. Predictable routines strengthen comprehension and expressive language use.

3. Teaching vs. Testing
· Modeling language instead of “quizzing” (testing language, demanding responses) shifts interactions from testing to teaching.
· Instead of:
o “What’s this?” (while pointing to a picture of a duck). Try: “That’s a duck. The duck says quack quack!” 🦆
o “Say ‘car.’ What is it?” Try: “Vroom car! Fast car! Make it go!” 🚙
o “Can you say ball?” Try: “Ball! Roll the ball. My turn!” ⚽️

How it helps: Teaching enriches input, context, and repetition which supports reducing pressure, building comprehension first, then natural expressive language. These all make children more likely to use language expressively!

Save this post and try them yourself! What are some of your favorite language strategies to use at home?

06/27/2025

How it all started! A story for parents, clinicians, or anyone juggling both. Is any of this story new to you?? Take away message: Prioritize your priorities ❤️

Caught a wording glitch- *unexpectedly meant for picture #2. Posted during witching hour—typos courtesy of real life at MidCoast SLP. 😉