Summary

This episode of the All About Kids podcast features Dr. Sima Gurva discussing the foundations of language development, the importance of parent involvement in therapy, and the shift to digital therapy practices during the pandemic. The conversation emphasizes the need for patience in language acquisition and the positive messaging for nonverbal children. Additionally, the episode explores the impact of social media on therapy practices and the recent changes in developmental milestones by the CDC. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the evolving landscape of speech therapy, particularly focusing on the recent changes in developmental milestones and their implications for parents and therapists. They discuss the challenges faced by late talkers, the importance of communication with families, and the nuances of evaluating children’s speech development. The conversation also explores the personal journeys of the speakers into the field of speech-language pathology, their experiences in grad school, and the differences between being a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and a speech-language pathologist assistant (SLPA).

 

Takeaways

The foundations of language development remain crucial.
Engagement between parent and child is essential for communication.
Parents should be active partners in therapy.
Nonverbal children have more layers to their communication skills.
Intentionality in communication is key for development.
Social media has become a valuable resource for therapists and parents.
Creating content can foster community among therapists.
Patience is necessary for children to progress through developmental stages.
The shift to digital therapy has opened new avenues for practice.
Recent changes in developmental milestones highlight the evolving understanding of child development. There’s a lot of debate about new CDC milestones.
Parents often compare their children’s milestones, leading to anxiety.
Late talkers can understand but may not express themselves verbally.
Evaluations for speech therapy can be beneficial even if unsure.
Children develop at different rates, and that’s okay.
The journey to becoming an SLP can vary greatly among individuals.
Persistence is key when applying to grad school.
Job shadowing can provide valuable insights into a career.
The role of an SLPA is crucial in supporting SLPs.
Working with children can be both challenging and rewarding.

 

Sound Bites

“The child’s idea is better than yours.”
“The foundations of language are still the foundations.”
“There’s so much more to a nonverbal child.”
“Patience is important because the work requires stages.”
“We want the child to have the same experiences.”
“Social media has grown immensely since the pandemic started.”
“I wish that I had more time dedicated to social media posts.”
“The CDC changed their developmental milestones.”
“What’s the controversy about it right now?”
“A late talker is typically like between 18 and 30 months.”
“Kids are tough at the same time. And bad kids.”
“I wish I had known this for sure, going in.”
“You have to keep trying and then try different routes.”

 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the All About Kids Podcast
01:03 Reconnecting with Dr. Sima Gurva
02:57 Foundations of Language Development
05:49 Engagement and Communication Strategies
09:13 The Role of Parents in Therapy
12:06 Intentionality in Communication
14:52 Positive Messaging for Nonverbal Children
18:05 Navigating Language Acquisition Stages
20:04 The Shift to Digital Therapy
22:52 Launching a Private Practice During the Pandemic
26:11 Creating Content for Parents and Therapists
29:59 Recent Changes in Developmental Milestones
32:56 Navigating Speech Therapy Milestones
39:12 The Journey to Becoming Speech Pathologists
51:46 The Grad School Experience
57:52 Understanding SLPA vs. SLP Roles