Next Steps Therapy, LLC

04/17/2025

03/24/2025

So many sites and each say different things about how a child develops, this even includes when should a child say certain sounds. Its confusing, right?
The information below is for the sounds that are typically developed by the ages 4-5 years old, its from https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2020_AJSLP-19-00168

Please consult with a speech therapist if you have any concerns.

03/22/2025

This is so true!

This week we are thinking about feeding as Wednesday was Swallowing Awareness Day

For more information visit rcslt.org/dysphagia

03/10/2025

By the age 2-3 years old, the sounds listened below should be mastered. If you feel your child is having trouble saying these sounds and they are 3, lets chat! Email me at mplume@nextstepstherapynj.com.

02/25/2025

Next Steps Therapy is now offering in home services to address articulation, feeding concerns, and AAC therapy. Do you have difficulties understanding your child, maybe they are having difficulties with the s sound, th sound, saying words like 'dat' instead of 'cat', or 'daw' istead of 'dog'? Email me at mplume@nextstepstherapynj.com and lets chat about your concerns!

02/15/2025

I am now offering AAC evaluations and therapy!! What is AAC, you may ask? Augmentative and Alternative Communication. There are so many modes of communication including gestures, signs language, pictures, written language, and communication devices. AAC may be recommended to those who have minimal verbal language, difficulties being understood due to Apraxia of Speech, and for many other reasons.
Message me for more information!!

01/21/2025

Explore different flavors! First let a child try the seasoning or sauce by itself by dipping their finger in it or a spoon. Talk about its smell, temperature, how it feels, etc. Then take their preferred food and let them dip it in the sauce or seasoning... make sure you do it too! Letting them decide how little or how much of the new food they want may help them feel in control and safer. Have fun!

12/31/2024

Food has a texture, a shape, a size, a smell, and a color. Changing 1 thing about the food, may help a child expand the different types of food a child eats. Small gradual changes about a food is less scary. So think about changing how a food feels next time you present it to your child. Here are some examples: a plain piece of bread, toast it lightly. A cup of juice, freeze the juice to make a slushy (don't put it in a popsicle mold because then you also change the shape and size, not just the texture). Cook the french fries just a little bit longer to make them a little more crunchier.

More ideas to come!

12/16/2024

Some helpful tools to try out during your child's holiday break!
Maroon spoons- these spoons have a shallow bowl, making it easier for those that have poor lip closure to remove food of the spoon
Silicone feeders- these are a great way for children to experience a food's flavor and texture, even chew it, without having to commitment of swallowing the food
Chewy tubes- these are great for children are oral sensory seekers (they may chew on their clothes, fingers, put other non-food things in their mouths). You can also use it to present different food in or on; dip the chewy tube in a new sauce, put a veggie stick in the hole, use it as a paintbrush and paint with a sauce!
Textured spoons- these are a great way to give your child some more sensory feedback when eating something smooth like yogurt
Honey Bear- a great tool to teach straw drinking