Smiling Star Speech & Language

27/01/2026

Pathological Demand Avoidance is currently considered a profile of Autism without its own independent diagnosis, but the characteristics and trauma of it is very very real. Take a look and if you have any questions, feel free to DM us!

10/09/2025

PDA may not be an officially medical diagnosis yet, it is a "profile" of Autism. However, it is very REAL. In addition to Autism being an "invisible disability", PDA turns up the trauma for all involved and families are suffering in silence. Let's peel back the layers. For more information, check out Parent Resources on my website.

12/05/2025

In exactly five months from today, I will be running the Chicago Marathon with Team World Vision to address the global water crisis. As millions of people are struggling to survive, on a much lesser scale I am struggling through this training since I'm anything but a runner! However, I know my run will bring clean water to vulnerable communities. So, every step is worth it.

Be a difference maker with me, no training required! Your support would be such an encouragement to me. I am $680 away from raising $5000 for Team World Vision. That would mean my run will be saving 100 lives! Every mile I take in training is a mile that someone else doesn’t have to take to get to unsafe water!

I would so appreciate if you all could support me in getting me across the donation finish line! https://www.teamworldvision.org/participant/Micaela-Fisher-LetsDoThis7141

You can follow my journey to the Chicago Marathon here! www.thefisherfinishline.squarespace.com

A generous Team World Vision supporter will be matching every donation made starting Friday, March 21st in honor of World Water Day. For every dollar raised, an additional $1 will be contributed to our page until the $1.5 million dollar match is gone!Read below to learn more about World Vision!! Don...

21/04/2025

I saw this post today, which reminded me of a recent situation in our community. I was told that the police were called on a high school boy because he had jumped out from behind a corner of a building and scared an adult. Was it the best choice to play this kind of prank? No. Was is criminal or affect someone's safety? No. Was it a nuisance to the adult? Yes. However, the fact that the police was involved seemed to be a bit of an overreaction.

As it turns out, the teenager who did the prank is autistic. He probably saw a peer do this to another peer at school as a funny joke, and decided to replicate it not understanding that the context was different and inappropriate. Fortunately, the police officer recognized that the teen was neurodivergent and no charges were filed but the parents were informed.

Even though there are so many more undesirable activities we are witnessing in our communities and in the world recently, please just think twice when observing a situation and determine what the best course of action can be.

https://dontcallthepolice.com/chicago/

14/03/2025

Thank you to those of you who have already donated to my son's and my registration for the Chicago Marathon with Team WorldVision! If you'd like to follow our journey, you can do so here!

Where is the finish line??? Where is the finish line??? Who likes to exercise? Not me.Who can run a block or two without wanting to pass out? Not me.Who’s run a 5K before? Not me.Who has a child they would do anything for? ME!Who signed up for the Chicago Marathon to prove to her child that ANYTHI...

11/03/2025

Friends, I'm not only a pediatric SLP, I am the adoptive mother to two amazing children. My daughter is neurotypical, and my son is neurodivergent. So I, too, have navigated the journey of finding various therapists and treatments for my son over the years.

To make a long story short, I was at church this past Sunday and literally heard an inner voice telling me to do something I've wanted to do for years but haven't, and to do it WITH my son Commit to an extended time of togetherness that could possibly trigger his disability every "step" of the way??? Nevertheless, I asked him and he AGREED. Click on the link to find out what we'll be doing together and I would appreciate whatever support you can offer!

I'm thinking of even starting a blog to chronicle the journey. If anyone think they'd be interested in following it, let me know if I should!

https://www.teamworldvision.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=429246

28/04/2023

Looking to stimulate your toddler's speech and language skills? We're offering Toddler Summer Enrichment Camps this summer! Check out https://www.smilingstar.net/toddler-summer-enrichment-camp

01/07/2021

What is "Pacifier Teeth"? Babies and toddlers suck on fingers and/or pacifiers to self-soothe. Every parent loves those quiet peaceful moments! However, did you know that extended pacifier use or thumb sucking can affect speech development?

Prolonged sucking on a pacifier or finger can alter the shape of the roof of the mouth, teeth alignment and promote an immature posture of the tongue which all leads to difficulty with articulation.

Although there is no magic time to stop, try to minimize the frequency as much as possible!

28/05/2021

Just in case you were wondering what speech therapy can do 😜

07/01/2021

Important to remember as we continue through this pandemic!

26/12/2020

Merry Christmas!!!
Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday!