The Speech Umbrella

Have you ever wondered why some children struggle with persistent speech sound errors despite trying every traditional approach? The missing piece might be right under their tongue.After 30+ years as a pediatric speech-language pathologist, I discovered a game-changing approach that transformed how I treat articulation disorders. Oral facial myofunctional therapy addresses the underlying muscle patterns, breathing habits, and oral resting postures that create the foundation for clear speech. This isn't just another technique—it's a fundamental shift in understanding how our oral structures develop and function.When the tongue maintains its correct resting position against the hard palate, it creates what experts call "the central operating zone" for speech sounds. Think about efficiency: if your tongue already rests in an elevated position, it's perfectly positioned to produce most consonant sounds automatically. Yet many children with speech disorders habitually rest their tongues in a low position, forcing them to consciously remember to elevate it for proper articulation—making speech laborious rather than automatic.The results can be remarkable. One preteen client with persistent R errors made breakthrough progress after addressing a posterior tongue tie and implementing myofunctional exercises—without using a single traditional placement technique. These moments made me realize how this approach removes barriers to success rather than repeatedly drilling sounds without addressing underlying issues.If you're an SLP feeling stuck with challenging articulation cases or simply wanting to work smarter rather than harder, explore the fascinating world of myofunctional therapy. Check out the resources mentioned in this episode, including books by Dr. Shereen Lim and Joy Moeller, and consider how this knowledge might transform your practice. As I've discovered, "When you master nasal breathing and tongue resting posture, complex articulation targets take care of themselves."

If narrative language intervention is one of the pillars of your therapy, then you’re going to love what I have for you. As much as I love teaching  narrative language, I always struggled to find enough stories to feed the therapy machine. A couple of years ago, in a somewhat desperate state of mind, I took pencil in hand and drew my own stories, featuring Wanda Witch. My clients loved the Wanda stories, despite my rudimentary drawing.Wanda Witch was soon followed by the Tony character, then Peter Pig, Tess, and Danny Dinosaur. In all I ended up with 50 stories—more than enough to get me through an entire year of therapy.Eventually I found an artist who brought my stories to life and now you can have them too! Each character has 10 stories, and they are geared for the earliest story tellers. Tune into this podcast to learn more about the Simple Tales collection of 50 illustrated stories. This is a tool I use multiple times a day, and all I have to do is hit print. Talk about simple tool for optimal outcomes!Podcast LinksFollow the Narrative Road  Where Everybody Knows Your Name  To Infinity and Beyond  Interview with Doug Petersen part 1  Interview with Doug Petersen part 2

No doubt you've noticed how our role as SLPs overlaps with other professions.  Collaboration is highly desirable of course, but sometimes roles overlap so much as to be almost indistinguishable. It can be a disconcerting feeling - as though the earth has moved beneath your feet! Today, Denise Stratton, a veteran pediatric speech-language pathologist, tackles the confusion and frustration that can arise in this multifaceted field. Join us as we explore the root causes of speech and language disorders, helping us understand why multiple diagnoses and professions often converge at the same point. We'll confront the professional uncertainty many young SLPs feel about their scope of practice and compensation, and reveal simple but powerful interventions that can help navigate these professional lanes more effectively.In the second part of this episode, we delve into the intricate relationship between auditory processing and memory, shedding light on the importance of targeting root causes rather than just applying labels to language disorders. Denise shares a treasure trove of effective interventions and tools.  By honing in on these root causes and understanding the progression of interventions, we can achieve significantly better outcomes for our clients. Don't forget to explore the wealth of materials available on The Speech Umbrella website and the value of sharing knowledge within our professional community.

Stepping into a job interview is intimidating for many of us, but  when you're a teen or young adult with a communication disorder, it can feel overwhelming.  On the Speech Umbrella podcast, we tackle this subject head-on, with my husband, Dan Stratton, bringing his IT management and interview expertise to the table. One of Dan's passions is helping young adults in their career searches and interviews. Together we demystify the interview process, transforming it from a daunting task into an exciting stage to spotlight your problem-solving abilities. We discuss the art of self-presentation,  the power of a well-told story,  and how to do networking interviews. You'll hear firsthand how strategic networking and informational interviews can forge paths to unexpected job offers and meaningful professional relationships. From the impact of a thoughtful handwritten note to the nuances of asking the right questions, we delve into the details that can set you apart. We also examine how to make an impression in the interview itself, with tips on maintaining composure under pressure and using body language to your advantage. So plug in, listen up, and let's get you ready to nail that interview with grace and confidence.Helpful LinksAmy Cuddy TED Talk List of Skills. Long List of Skills   Sample Interview Questions and How to Answer Them  More Interview Questions

To mark the 100th episode, Dan (our business manager) interviews Denise about her favorite episodes, the beginnings of the podcast, and what the future holds for The Speech Umbrella. --- Useful Links ---Free Resource LibraryWhere Everybody Knows Your Name Interview with Char Boshart Interview with Dr. Shereen Lim To Infinity and Beyond The Power of Too Follow the Narrative Road The Conversation Game Phonological Awareness Tracking Tool Impossible R Made Possible Simple Tools Interview with Dr. Teresa UkrainetzMaking Movies, Making Inferences Music: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Don’t we hear some of the funniest, wisest, all around best things from children? Here’s a collection of some my best moments with clients in 2023. Enjoy Kids Say the BEST Things, 2023. --- Useful Links ---Emoji Handout Empowering Children with Autism Through Natural Language Acquisition Essential Language for Autism  Open Doors A Parent, A Child, and Autism Kids Say the Best Things 2022 Music: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Unleash the power of storytelling on your child's developmental journey! Join us as we explore the transformative influence of family narratives on children. Based on the research of Robin Fivush and Marshall P. Duke, we reveal the multitude of benefits kids reap when they know their family tales. Their resilience, self-esteem, and social skills see a significant boost. More than that, we consider how these stories can be effectively integrated into therapy, serving as instruments to enhance episodic memory, predictable behavior, vocabulary, and critical thinking. You’ll also hear some of our personal family narratives and learn about the critical thinking triangle, a handy tool from the Story Grammar Marker people.Take a step further into the world of stories with us. We share a heartwarming tale of a school physical therapist whose professional advice led a first grader's parents to seek help beyond the school's resources. We introduce you to Dan and his father's inspiring journey that was profoundly influenced by a teacher who spurred a love for reading. Yet, we also know that not every story has a happy ending, and we guide you on how to handle narratives that don't end well and finding ways to move forward.Make no mistake - family stories are powerful, and so are the rituals that accompany them. As we delve deeper, we uncover how children comprehend the personalities of their family members via these stories and the rituals they observe. Persistence is the key to storytelling, and we've got useful tips on how families can tell their stories effectively. Drawing from our years of experience as SLPs, we offer guidance on how to help families share their narratives and put them into a physical form. So, what are you waiting for? Tune into the Speech Umbrella and start harnessing the power of family stories today!--- Useful Links ---emoji handout https://storyintelligence.com/fivush-%26-duke Story Grammar Marker , Do You Do Two?    Music: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Ever wondered how to effectively enhance language development in children with autism? The Speech Umbrella's 97th episode is here to illuminate your path! I'm Denise Stratton, and I'll be unpacking the power of child-centered approaches like Natural Language Acquisition (NLA), explaining how it helps build spontaneous and generative language. We'll decode complex terms such as Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs), Analytic Language Processors (ALPs), and Developmental Sentence Scoring (DSS) using relatable examples from my clinical practice, drawing from my wealth of experience to provide you with practical resources to kickstart this transformative therapy technique.Embarking on the journey of language development, we'll delve into the critical role of Speech-Language Pathologists in breaking up gestalts and isolating words to ease children's understanding. I'll discuss the significance of 'stage four' in language development and how to recognize the signs of spontaneous language. . This episode promises to be an engaging exploration, perfect for parents and SLPs eager to make a difference in their child's linguistic journey. Tune in, absorb, and let's transform lives one word at a time.--- Useful Links ---Stage One Sentence TypesCommunication Development Center Meaningful SpeechMusic: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Do you ever wonder just what your data is telling you, and how to use your data to help your clients progress? If so, then this episode is tailor made for you! In part two of Leading and Lagging Indicators you’ll learn about some therapy ideas for measuring leading indicators. Leading indicators are so helpful, because they predict future success and help us chart the way forward with our clients. --- Useful Links ---Leading and Lagging Indicators, Part One Body Awareness Fun Deck Orange is a Carrot Simple Poem Six Ways Follow the Narrative Road Permission to Play Music: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission

Are you curious about how leading and lagging indicators, concepts borrowed from the business world, can revolutionize your speech therapy practice? That's precisely what I explore in this episode. From predicting future outcomes to measuring past success, I'll guide you on how these indicators can boost your effectiveness and transform therapy results. We discuss relatable examples from various fields and how, with accurate measurements, these indicators can be harnessed for maximum impact.--- Useful Links ---Stage One Sentence TypesInstitute For Evidence Based Change The Conversation Game Essential Language for Autism Phonological Awareness Tracking Tool Prime to Rhyme Nursery Rhyme Coloring Book Orange is a Carrot Cue the MoveMusic: Simple Gifts performed by Ted Yoder, used with permission