Joy in the Journey LLC

05/01/2026

🎉 FUN FACT FRIDAY 🎉
Did you know that using AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) such as iPad communication can actually HELP children become verbal? 💬

That’s right—AAC is not a “last resort”… it’s a BRIDGE to more functional communication!

When children have access to tools like picture boards or speech-generating devices, they learn:
✨ how communication works
✨ how to express their wants and needs
✨ how powerful their voice can be

And here’s the best part: when a child's frustration decreases and their confidence grows; verbal language often follows!

At Joy in the Journey, we believe that every child deserves a way to be heard—no matter how they communicate. 💙

Interested in learning more and helping your child learn how to communicate in a way that meets them where they are developmentally??

Contact us TODAY! We have openings for both speech therapy and occupational therapy and are steadily growing our team!!

Phone: (803)768-9186
Email: office@joyinthejourneysc.net

Send a message to learn more

05/01/2026

Did you know that May is National Speech Language and Hearing Month?!?!

At Joy in the Journey, we pride ourselves on having an incredible speech therapy team and are currently hiring seasoned SLPs, SLPAs, and CFs!

If interested in joining our team, send your resume to marley@joyinthejourneysc.net. We have openings for full time and part time positions.

Also, if you are a seasoned SLP that is interested in supervising SLPAs or CFs, let us know!!!

04/29/2026

Y'all.....there is SO MUCH to celebrate this week at Joy in the Journey!!

Please join us in celebrating Mrs. Kerry (formerly "Smith") Hannum on her recent marriage!!

Kerry- we wish you and your hubby all the happiness and JOY that your hearts can handle!! May the Lord continue to bless you and Jacob as you enter into this exciting season of your lives together!!

04/28/2026

In “queso” you didn’t know……

April is Occupational Therapy Month and let’s face it- our OTs are “nacho” average OTs! They are absolutely AMAZING and go above and beyond for the families they serve and the therapists they work with!

We celebrated our OT team this week by catering Moe’s to our offices with all the “cheesy” (but sincere) play on words to go with it!!

Spending time to “taco” ‘bout how much we appreciate each of them was so much fun!!

Interested in joining in on all the action?!

We are hiring (seasoned) OTs and COTAs to join this incredible team!

Email: marley@joyinthejourneysc.net if you or someone you know is interested in joining our team!

04/28/2026

Shout out to our incredible SLP, Kelly Duggan, for sharing this image for our "Tools and Tricks Tuesday" post!!

Such great insight in this image!! Check it out for yourself!

*If you are wondering if your child could benefit from sensory integrative OT services that will teach them tools for self-regulation, reach out to us today! We have a SUPER team of OTs ready and willing to serve your child!

Let's continue to find JOY IN THE JOURNEY!

Office: (803)768-9186
Email: office@joyinthejourneysc.net
Website: www.joyinthejourneysc.net

04/27/2026

You guys know what day it is!!

Meet the Team Monday- Featuring our incredible OT/R, Rachel Crelly!!

04/24/2026

It’s Fun Fact Friday!!

Did you know that combining your child’s favorite book with associated toy items is such a fun and interactive way to enhance their literacy and language skills?!

Check this idea out from “The Dabbling Speechie!!”

A baking set paired with the classic book “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.”

Brilliant idea for therapy and can be implemented at home too!!

04/22/2026

Help us celebrate this sweet little “butterfly” as she graduates from speech and occupational therapy today!!! 🦋

At Joy in the Journey, our mission is to help children learn how to "spread their wings and fly"—and she is more than ready to soar!

A heartfelt shoutout to her incredible family for their commitment, consistency, and for "showing up" in such a powerful way week after week. Your hard work and dedication truly made a difference!

And a big THANK YOU to our amazing therapists, Emily and Bree, for the compassionate, high-quality care they pour into each and every child.

There is Joy in the Journey and what a JOYFUL day it is!

04/21/2026

🛠️Tools & Tricks Tuesday🛠️

Did you know that BEHAVIOR is COMMUNICATION!?

When a child is having a meltdown, refusing to participate, or "acting out"—most times, it’s not just “bad behavior” it's actually communication!

It’s often their way of saying:
“This is too hard.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I need help.”
“I’m overwhelmed.”
"I need your attention."

✨ Therapy Tip: Shape the Behavior, Don’t Just Stop It ✨

Instead of focusing only on stopping a behavior, work on shaping it into something functional- something that helps the child get their needs met in a more appropriate (and safe) way.

For example:
If a child throws a toy to avoid a task, we can shape that into:
➡️ modeling "uh oh" and handing the toy back.
➡️ using a gesture such as "help" or "all done."
➡️ saying “all done” and pairing the words "all done" with ASL sign for "all done."

If a child learns that by throwing a toy they get out of doing a task, they become conditioned to this cause-and-effect relationship and think that throwing toys is an acceptable way to communicate that they are "done." However, when they are taught that activities stop when they say or sign "all done," they learn that using their words and/or sign language causes the activity to "stop."

Behavior is COMMUNICATION.

If you have questions about your child's behaviors or communication challenges??

Call us today to see how we can help your family!

Phone: (803)768-9186
Email: office@joyinthejourneysc.net
Website: www.joyinthejourneysc.net

04/20/2026

Today's "Meet the Team Monday" is all about one of our AMAZING OT team members: Ms. Ella Wood!!

Ella brings passion, gentleness, and creativity to our team and her patients absolutely ADORE her!

Let's get to know Ella a little more.......

04/17/2026

🎉 It's Time for FUN-ctional Friday!!

Activity: "Chocolate Pudding "Mud" Play 🚗

* Turn chocolate pudding into “mud” and let your child "drive" their monster trucks or cars through it!
* Add water for a “car wash,” use a towel to dry off vehicles, or create a full “mud obstacle course” to extend play and build real-life routines!

How to Play:
Spread chocolate pudding on a piece of parchment paper, tray, or table surface and let your child explore by pushing, scooping, and driving their cars through the “mud.” After playing, they can "wash" all of the cars in a bowl of water!

💬 Speech & Language Skills:
-Action words: “go,” “stop,” “crash,” “push” "clean," "dirty"
-Expanding phrases: “The truck is stuck!” "The car is dirty."
-Following directions: “Drive through the mud,” “Clean the car”
-Describing textures: “sticky,” “smooth,” “messy”

✋ Occupational Therapy & Sensory Skills:
- Sensory exploration with a safe, edible texture.
- Tactile tolerance for children who avoid messy play.
- Hand strengthening through scooping and pushing.
- Creativity and imaginative play.

If you are interested in finding out more FUN-ctional activities to incorporate with your child at home, contact us TODAY to start the intake process to schedule an evaluation!

Phone: (803)768-9186
Email: office@joyinthejourneysc.net
Website: www.joyinthejourneysc.net

04/17/2026

Happy Occupational Therapy Month!!

We want to celebrate our amazing OT team and all that they do for the families that they serve!!

Interested in meeting our OT team?! Seeking OT services for your child?!

Contact us today!

Phone- (803)768-9186
Email- office@joyinthejourneysc.net
Website- www.joyinthejourneysc.net