Communication is such a big part of life — it’s how we express our needs, make friends, share ideas, connect with others, and become more independent. For many kids with disabilities, speech and language delays are a reality, and they can impact nearly every part of school and social life. Whether it’s trouble with spoken communication or language development, or simply being told that their mode of communication isn’t valid or meaningful (they are!), these challenges can make the world feel smaller and a bit more of a struggle. This week, we’re diving into some communication hot topics that many parents are asking about, such as:
- How can I help my child work on their speech and articulation goals without overwhelming them?
- How do I know if my child needs an AAC device, and who pays for it?
- My child’s school team doesn’t know how to treat apraxia. What should I do?
- My child is a gestalt language processor. Is that really a thing, and how do I even begin to support them?
- My child is using echolalia and scripting — what does this mean for their language development?
When it comes to supporting our kids’ communication, at home, in the community, and at school, it’s important to have the right assessments, therapies, providers, and accommodations that support them and align with their natural speech and language development. Remember: every form of communication your child uses — whether it’s echolalia, scripts, gestures, signing, or an AAC device — is valid and meaningful. With the right tools and resources in hand, we as parents can not only help our kids feel heard, but encourage meaningful and independent communication.
As expert speech-language pathologist Laura Strenk, CCC-SLP tells us, “Communication should not be about compliance, it should be about connection… Giving [your child] that validation — ‘You are seen, you are heard’ — is really important for teaching them the power of their words.”
Dive into these resources on everything you need to know about childhood apraxia of speech, gestalt language processing, AAC in the IEP, speech therapy, Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), the natural language acquisition framework (NLA), AT for communication, and more! We even share a family’s perspective on the journey of finding the right AAC program or device for their child.
- Speech Therapy: What It Is and How It Works
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) 101
- AAC in the IEP: Goals and Examples
- Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) 101
- Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) 101
- Top Communication Tools, Apps, Assistive Technology, and More!
- Unite and Conquer with Parent Lelah and SLP Ali Steers: Jack’s AAC Journey
Goals to add to your Undivided account → Save these goals to your Undivided account for step-by-step guides to help you find a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and/or AAC specialist for your child. The Undivided research team has curated resources across the state for SLPs — join Undivided today to get a custom research report!
If you missed our standalone summer camps email, no worries — we’ve got our annual roundup right here, packed with awesome opportunities for kids to socialize, have fun outdoors, build skills, and fill their summer hours with new activities! The best part? All camps welcome youth with disabilities. Some of the camps in our roundup are designed just for kids with various disabilities, while other programs invite campers of all abilities to participate. We’ve organized our camp lists by region, so you’ll be able to find the best fit for your child this summer! And remember: register early because they fill up fast! Check out our roundup of summer camps here!
As one of our parent members told their Navigator, “Our IEP meeting was awesome! Everything we had discussed was addressed and everyone seems to be on the same page. This was the biggest meeting we have had to date with 13 members in attendance. We feel extremely confident for the next year largely in part to all of your help! We have learned so much through this process and are extremely grateful.”
Join us for our new IHSS workshop series → Our multi-part workshop series for Undivided members continues! Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck is providing interactive training for parents who are new to IHSS or who want to know how to secure more hours for their children. Our final session is on March 4, so if you’d like to attend, join Undivided today. Replay videos are also available for any members who aren’t able to attend a session live.
Join us for expert office hours → If you’re an Undivided member, join us for a live Q&A on Wednesday, March 5, at 12:00 p.m PT with Undivided Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Cronbeck. Lisa will be available to answer your questions directly on Zoom about funding therapies, social-rec, and medical supplies through Medi-Cal, insurance, Regional Center, and more! If you’re not an Undivided member yet, get started here to join us for office hours!
Tune in to watch these Undivided Conversations:
- Childhood Apraxia of Speech 101 → Join us Friday, February 28 at 12:00 p.m PT in for a deep dive conversation on childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) with experts Laura Moorer, MS, CCC-SLP and Edythe Strand, PhD, CCC-SLP. Learn about the signs, treatments, and support strategies for children with CAS. Tune in for the stream this Friday on our Facebook page!
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication in IEPs → >Discover how to advocate for your child’s communication needs in their IEP! Join us Saturday, March 1 at 12:00 p.m PT in conversation with Rachel Madel, M.A., CCC-SLP, as she shares expert insights on incorporating AAC into your child’s education plan. Whether you’re just starting with AAC or looking to enhance your advocacy skills, this discussion is packed with practical tips to support your child’s learning and communication journey. Tune in for the stream this Saturday on our Facebook page!
Just because a kiddo is non-speaking doesn’t mean they aren’t communicating. Hear from Dr. Ross Greene about interpreting behavior as communication→
Is your child in speech therapy at school or a clinic? Check out our Instagram for tips to support their speech therapy at home too→
If your child uses AAC, do you have any tips for programs or devices you’d recommend? We’d love to hear from you in our private Facebook group for parents→
The law that provides children with 504 Plans at school is under threat. Check out our LinkedIn page to learn what you can do to protect Section 405→
