Speech with Sara LLC

06/27/2025

EARLIER is ALWAYS better when it involves concerns about reading, speech and language. It's the idea of being proactive rather than reactive. Sadly, when parents are told some of the things listed in this graphic and delay help/support, the child flounders and eventually starts believing they cannot read. It results in children feeling badly about themselves and makes every bit of school miserable.

The wait-to-fail model failed the kids. The wait-to-train was bad for the teachers brain too.

See Wrightslaw, Learning Disabilities Association of America, The Reading League, International Dyslexia Association, Understood, WPS - Western Psychological Services, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. , Disability Rights at School: A Resource for Families , ERIC, National Center on Improving Literacy, International Dyslexia Association - Oregon Branch, Cox Campus, Geldards SEN.

Too many folks leave inaccurate comments on social media about special education. People misinterpret both state and federal laws. A portion of educators and a portion of well meaning parents give out information which is misleading.

1. Every parent should seek out advocacy help from their state parent support groups.

2. All educators should belong to their state and national professional groups. Seek advice if your school sets up barriers for proper identification or remediation services. Take action. Speak up. Join likeminded groups. Go beyond the broken system and help problem solve. Share resources. Take advantage of free training.

3. Join in with likeminded people who want to create changes.

https://www.paliteracy.org/

04/29/2025

Here is a great event that benefits local businesses in The Village, Downtown Grosse Pointe as well as the amazing community resource-- The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods. Put May 15 on the calendar!

The Village, Downtown Grosse Pointes first "Third Thursday Charity Shopping Night" is Thursday, May 15th from 5-8 pm and the following stores will donate a portion of their proceeds to The Family Center!

04/09/2025

A great example of how executive function skills are needed everywhere, all the time, for everything we do every single day/moment. Thanks !

03/21/2025

Executive Function! Executive Function! Executive Function! Treat it & you’ll see vast changes in learning abilities!

03/20/2025

Speech therapy involves a ton of work on executive functions—the FOUNDATIONAL building blocks that support/facilitate ALL learning. Kids love learning about their brain & how it functions! Knowledge is power, and it help kids with self-advocacy!

02/26/2025

The transition from oral language to written language is particularly challenging for children with speech & language deficits because of the higher demand on the working memory. Explicit teaching and practice are necessary and help students not only grow their skills but also build their confidence, which has a HUGE impact going forward on any skill they want or need to learn!!Thanks Seeds of Learning, LLC!

02/25/2025

Reminder--this FREE event is tonight at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. It's a special needs resource fair put on by The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods for parents. Vendors that help a variety of ages for a variety of needs will be available.

02/25/2025

As a reminder, this FREE event is tonight--it's a special needs resource fair for parents put on by The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods. It's at the GP War Memorial.

We are fortunate to have The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods in our community--it's such an amazing organization. Coming up later this month is a FREE resource fair focused on children with special needs. It's a great chance to find providers, learn more about a particular area of need and connect with others who may be experiencing something similar.

02/12/2025

We are fortunate to have The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods in our community--it's such an amazing organization. Coming up later this month is a FREE resource fair focused on children with special needs. It's a great chance to find providers, learn more about a particular area of need and connect with others who may be experiencing something similar.

01/31/2025

How does that saying go? If I had a penny for every time a parent described their child as lazy or stubborn…. Self-image starts much earlier than most realize and sometimes the negative talk about a child in their presence to another person actually causes negative behavior. Often these descriptions are shared with me related to a child’s speech production or language skills & it couldn’t further from accurate—the perceived laziness is actually a struggle the child is experiencing not a choice to be lazy. Then in therapy we have to work through that child’s perception that came from mom or dad that made them believe it was a negative behavior instead of a skill to be acquired. Words matter. Especially in the presence of children, who generally are ALWAYS listening. Be kind and positive. Don’t assume intent. Assume the child needs to learn around the area you are seeing “laziness” or “stubbornness.”

✨ Toddlers Believe What They Hear ✨

Toddlers are like little sponges—they absorb everything, including the words you speak to and about them. What they overhear from you helps shape how they see themselves. When you say, “You’re so stubborn!” or “They’re always shy,” your child starts to internalize those labels as part of their identity.

Instead, use positive and empowering language. Say things like, “You’re determined!” or “It’s okay to take your time when meeting new people.” These affirming words can help build a strong, confident self-image. Be especially mindful of how you talk about their behavior to others when they’re listening—it matters more than you think.

Your words are powerful. Speak to the best in your child, and watch them grow into the amazing person they’re meant to be.

01/30/2025

The two newest art installments from patients! So grateful and humbled by all the talent, love & generosity they share with me along their journey!

01/08/2025

I wish I could use a megaphone to broadcast this message all day, every day! Thank you for sharing such an important, valuable & vital tool for providers AND parents!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1N15DTadKm/?mibextid=wwXIfr