The Listening SLP

05/26/2026

05/19/2026

There’s something powerful about realizing the SAME challenges in literacy and language exist across the globe! 🌍

Recently, I had the opportunity to present virtually for South African SLTs. Major thanks and appreciation to for letting me present to your group. I’m so thankful be recognized internationally for my work and knowledge. 🥹

These messages afterward reminded me why this work matters so much.Swipe through to read a few of the responses that stayed with me.✨

I love connecting with professionals worldwide to share practical strategies for:
• Literacy intervention
• Listening & auditory access
• Language development
• Supporting DHH students

If your organization, school, university, or conference is looking for virtual or international professional development, I’d love to connect.
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05/18/2026

HAPPY NATIONAL SLP DAY!!! 🗣️

SWIPE RIGHT for a on me! ➡️

SLPs wear many hats and roles depending on the setting! I truly love and appreciate the small role I get to play in a families communication journey! Today is OUR day to show appreciation for one another and celebrate our profession. 💕

As a thank you for being a part of my village of support, here is Starbucks on me! 🎉

How this works: ⬇️
👉🏾 Scan the barcode at the register
👉🏾 Enjoy your coffee (or tea)!

Please only scan once to allow as many people as possible to get a treat. ☕️

Tag your favorite SLPs and tell them why you appreciate them!
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05/17/2026

When I first learned about this model everything just clicked! 👀

The Simple View of Reading has been around since the 80s. Gough and Tumner explained that word recognition (reading the word) and language comprehension (understanding what those words mean) skills need to be EQUALLY strong to get to reading comprehension. 📖

Makes sense, but that model leaves out other elements that are necessary for a child to read.

✨ INTRODUCING THE ACTIVE VIEW OF READING ✨

The Active View of Reading takes into account the ability to self-regulate and the bridging processes of connecting letters to sounds.

Why do we need to know this information? ⤵️

💡 It helps to explain additional reasons why a child might struggle and have difficulty with reading
💡 Evaluate these additional areas when assessing a child for dyslexia or literacy related concerns
💡 Know other areas to focus on in therapy with a child

This open-access article lets you read more about The Active View of Reading.

Source of the Active View of Reading Graphic: Duke, N. K., & Cartwright, K. B. (2021). The science of reading progresses: Communicating advances beyond the Simple View of Reading. Reading Research Quarterly, 56(S1), S25-S44. https://ila.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/rrq.411

Have you heard this term before or did you learn something new?
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05/15/2026

No greater words were said when Uncle Ben told Peter Parker that “With great power comes great responsibility.” 🕷️

Everyone wants POWER until they realize the responsibility that comes with it. A little over a month ago, , , and I did a panel discussion on leadership. We each brought different perspectives to the table, but the overall theme was when you’re a leader you have responsibility!

It’s not just business owners, social media content creators, and those who sit on their boards who are leaders. YOU are a leader in your clinical role as well.

We hold a lot of power when in comes to the instruction and care for our students, clients, and patients. That is a weighty responsibility to hold. We have to be wise with that power we have.

This means we stay current with best practices, we are engaged in difficult conversations, and we work to be inclusive to all.

It also means being willing to answer hard questions without getting defensive.

Let’s all take time to think about how we use the power we hold and those we give power to! Drop a 🙌🏾 in the comments if you agree.
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05/13/2026

Listen! Basic human decency isn’t in the room with us any more! People have lost their minds.

Decorum and respect are becoming foreign words in today’s society. This is a reminder for us all. 🙂

Being a guest in a community you are not a member of is a PRIVILEGE. Just like with any house, communities have rules and guidelines. Nothing is wrong with disagreement (in fact it is healthy), but it shouldn’t turn into war!

These are general suggestions when engaging with other communities:
🔑 Do not bring bad intentions or motives
🔑 Listen to the community and acknowledge that you are a guest
🔑 Follow the rules

A Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast says “Be Our Guest”, but do not forget that you are just a GUEST. Act accordingly or get put out. 🤷🏾‍♀️

✨SHARE this post for others to benefit.
📥 SAVE this post to refer back to later.
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05/10/2026

I said what I said. 🤷🏾‍♀️

Over the years, we have switched from creating content to highlight therapy techniques and strategies to using our clients/ students as content pieces.

I am all for learning and seeing therapy strategies in action! Teoh found in 2021 that professionals are using social media to learn resources, new ideas, and to get updated practice techniques. 🙌🏾

The flipside is people using their clients/ students to be part of their brand. It can seem harmless. You have parental consent, the clients are excited, what's the issue? 👀

There is an unspoken power dynamic that comes into play when we are the provider, and we have clients highly featured in our videos. We do not tend to think about when these clients grow up. What is the impact as they get older? Do they want this information out there? 🧐

It also feels as though we are making money off the backs of the people we are supporting. While we are not paid directly to post on the internet, we do get more brand awareness, which can lead to revenue streams. To me, this feels unethical and murky waters that we should not be engaged in.

This post is not a personal attack on any person or account. This is meant to be a discussion to get us all to think more critically about what we are consuming and how we show up in these spaces. 💕
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05/08/2026

This week was Teacher Appreciation Week! 👩🏾‍🏫

NONE of us would be where we are today without teachers. Teachers are the backbone of our communities. Because of teachers we have doctors, lawyers, SLPs, AuDs, and every other profession! 🙌🏾

Teaching is a hard job that can feel thank less at times. As SLPs, we know how that feels. A lot of the hard work is often not seen by the public.

Working in the middle school this past year has made my appreciation for teachers grow even deeper!

Make sure to say THANK YOU to a teacher you know! You wouldnt be able to read this post without one! 😉

Tag your favorite teacher account to let them know you appreciate them! 💕

Teachers I’ve appreciated working with and learning from are:








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05/07/2026

I have time today for this conversation.👏🏾

The more I've learned about social media, the more I have become selective about who and what I engage with. Why you might ask? 👀

Because who you follow, whose content you share, whose content you engage with is all currency to boost their page and brand. I personally like to be mindful of where I spend my money. Therefore, I do not need to spend time and energy in spaces that are toxic or promoting harmful practices. The fake niceness tends to be a facade for ridiculous behavior.

Just like you pay attention where you swipe your card, pay attention to who you follow. If something no longer aligns with you, unfollowing, blocking, and hiding are FREE!

Pssst. . . you do not have to announce it either. As the Pearl says “Move in SILENCE.” 🤫

Let's chat about this!
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05/02/2026

THANK YOU, MSHA! 🫶🏾

I had the BEST time in Saint Louis presenting to fellow SLPs and AuDs about social media ethics and how to improve our report writing! These are two topics as our world changes that I’m more and more passionate about!

SWIPE RIGHT to see the feedback that has me bubbling over with joy! I pour a lot of heart and soul into my presentations. I’m so thankful when it translates into a talk. 💕

Having as my booth buddies was a highlight! Whitney and Loren are clearly passionate SLPs ready to help their team make a change.

I tried something new during these presentations and wore YELLOW! 💛
I received so many compliments that I’ll have to add this to my color palette for engagements.

I’m always willing to chat about virtual and in person opportunities for school districts, organizations, or private practices! Let’s elevate your PD! 🙌🏾
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04/21/2026

Hey peeps! It’s been a while since I’ve done an introduction so now is a perfect time to do one! 👋🏾

My name is Sydney and I’m an international speaker, global consultant, and speech-language pathologist! 💕

I love and find value in community! I started space back in 2019 with the purpose of educating caregivers and fellow professionals about working with the DHH population and literacy!

This space on the internet has grown and evolved, but the mission stayed the same. People need to be informed. Every time you share a graphic, a reel, a story, you help to inform others and keep this mission going! 🫶🏾💕

I could tell you about all the cool things I’ve done, but you can just request my CV for that. Let me tell you about the human behind this account.

👉🏾 I grew up in CLT! I love the city and all that it has to offer. truly!
👉🏾 I’m a true girlie girl! I love all things pink, having my nails done, and keeping my hair flawless.
👉🏾 I’m a sports fanatic! I love my ! But I’ll watch football, basketball, soccer anytime of the year.
👉🏾 I’m an open person, but I tend to be reserved. If you know things about me, it’s because I want you to.

I’m always happy to have you here in this space with me! Thanks for following along on the journey! 💕
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