Speech and Language Kids Podcast

Carrie Clark, CCC-SLP
  • 4.6 (157)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This podcast is for SLPs, Caregivers, and Educators supporting neurodiverse children and teens who want practical, respectful, and effective ways to build communication skills. Our approach supports children with all neuro-differences, including speech/language differences, learning differences, ADHD, Autism, developmental disorders, and more! Each episode blends neurodiversity-affirming approaches with evidence-based speech and language therapy strategies, covering topics like speech sound disorders, language development, AAC, gestalt language processing, executive functioning, social communication, and more. You'll hear actionable ideas you can use right away—whether you're planning therapy sessions, supporting a child at home, or navigating the school system. We believe children aren't broken—they need better supports. This show focuses on strength-based, child-centered practices that honor individuality while helping kids communicate more confidently and independently. If you're looking for speech therapy tips, language development strategies, support for neurodivergent learners, and realistic ways to make therapy simpler and more effective, you're in the right place.

  1. 1D AGO

    Why You're Feeling Stuck as an SLP (And a personal update from Carrie)

    If you feel like you're constantly just spinning your wheels or constantly stuck on the struggle bus as a speech-language pathologist…. Well… You're not alone.   The struggle is real. And there's no shortage of others who feel the same way. But today…I'm gonna get real with you. Cause I've been struggling. And I think I finally figured out why. And my revelation may just help you as well. I'm sharing a personal update about why I'm stepping into "builder mode" and pausing new podcast episodes for a short time — because I've realized something big: I've been afraid to finish the SLK Curriculum. Yep. Afraid of success. Afraid of being judged. Afraid that once it's "done," I won't have the excuse of "it's still a work in progress." And as I unpacked that fear, I started to see how many of us as SLPs are doing the exact same thing in our own work. When we're overwhelmed, exhausted, and deep in survival mode, our nervous systems try to keep us safe by keeping us small. They feed us very logical, very convincing excuses: What if I try something new and it doesn't work? What if it does work? What will my coworkers think? What if I spend the money and don't follow through? What if people judge me? In this episode, we're talking about: Why your nervous system may be keeping you in the struggle How a mindset of lack keeps you from seeing viable options The sneaky beliefs that stop you from trying a simpler, more effective way How to become a detective of your own thoughts And how to rewrite the script — just like we teach our fluency kids to do If you've ever: Felt stuck on the struggle bus Overhauled your system every few months instead of finishing something Been afraid to rock the boat Worried what others would think if you tried something different Or quietly wondered, "What if I'm not good enough?" This episode is for you. I'm finishing the darn curriculum. And I'm inviting you to examine what you might need to finish, change, or finally commit to in your own practice. Let's step out of survival mode and into something bigger. I'll see you on the other side.

    21 min

  2. FEB 13

    5 ChatGPT Prompts to Save SLPs Hours per Week

    Want to save hours every week without sacrificing therapy quality? In this episode, I'm sharing 5 practical ways speech-language pathologists can use ChatGPT to streamline planning, generate materials faster, and reduce the time spent staring at a blank screen. You'll hear real examples of prompts you can copy, paste, and customize—whether you need quick session ideas, therapy materials, goal writing help, classroom accommodations, or progress report wording. I'm also sharing important cautions (because yes—AI can be wildly helpful, but it still needs a clinician brain behind it). If you're an SLP who feels buried under planning, paperwork, and decision fatigue, this episode will give you an easy starting point to use AI in a way that's ethical, safe, and actually useful. And a special thanks to my co-host: ChatGPT!  She'll make an appearance on this podcast as well!

    22 min

  3. FEB 12

    New Study Links Screens in Schools with Lower Test Scores: What Does it Mean for Speech Therapy?

    A new study out of Canada found that higher screen time in elementary school is linked to lower reading and math scores.  And the more researchers dig, the more concerning the pattern becomes. In this episode, we break down what the research is saying about screens in schools, including: why even "educational" technology may not improve outcomes how digital reading compares to print reading for comprehension what brain studies are revealing about learning on screens vs. paper why handwriting still matters more than we think And most importantly… What does this mean for speech/language therapy? For our struggling learners, it may be possible that simply switching your therapy activities from screen-based to paper-based could give them a major advantage. This episode will help you understand the research and give you a simple, practical way to test it in your own speech room, starting tomorrow.

    17 min

  4. FEB 11

    You're Taking too much Data! How Scaling Back your Data Collection will Scale Up Progress

    Are you collecting way too much data in speech therapy? If you've ever tried to take detailed data while also running a great session… you already know it's basically impossible. It's like trying to parallel park while writing down how many times you turned the steering wheel. 😅 In this episode, I'm breaking down a super simple data collection system that helps you: Track progress clearly Make confident therapy decisions Write progress notes faster Reduce your workload (a LOT) And still meet school or insurance requirements You'll learn my easy "monthly data + quick session rating" approach that gives you the information you actually need—without turning therapy into paperwork.

    25 min

  5. FEB 10

    The AAC App that Gives Non-Speaking Children a Voice

    Imagine being a child who knows what they want to say… but has no way to say it. No words. No voice. No control. In this episode, I'm sharing my favorite AAC app that helps nonspeaking children communicate, connect, and feel safer in their world: Grid by Smartbox. We'll break down: What AAC actually is (and who it's for) The question I always get: Does AAC prevent kids from talking? Why Grid is such a powerful option (and what makes it different) The simplest, most effective ways to start teaching AAC (without feeling overwhelmed) How AAC can be especially supportive for Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs) And if AAC feels intimidating, I want you to hear this loud and clear: There is no "perfect" way to start AAC. There is only starting.   Join me today to find out how a simple AAC app can be the missing key for a non-speaking child.

    35 min

  6. FEB 9

    How to Fast Track Clients who are Close to Dismissal

    Grab the Fast Track to Dismissal Toolkit Now at www.SpeechAndLanguageKids.com/Fast Are you spending a huge chunk of your time on students who are technically "still on your caseload"… but honestly should be transitioning out of direct services? In this episode, we're talking about one of the biggest drains on SLP time: students who linger in direct services longer than necessary — even after they've learned the skills they needed from us. And here's the thing: fast-tracking dismissal isn't selfish. It's actually: better for the student, better for the classroom, better for the SLP, and more aligned with what school-based services are supposed to be. I'm walking you through a clear, step-by-step process for moving students through the final phase of therapy, including: ✅ progress monitoring with the team ✅ how to explain the therapy process to families and teachers ✅ how to decide what "phase" the student is truly in ✅ what to do when the student needs generalization support (not more therapy) ✅ and how to shift the work to the adults who are with them all day — where generalization actually happens If you're ready to reclaim your time, reduce your caseload load, and help students get what they truly need (without keeping them in speech forever), this episode is for you.

    24 min

  7. FEB 6

    /r/ Strategy Roundup: 15 Ways to Teach a Child to Say the /r/ Sound

    If you've ever had a client who just cannot get the /r/ sound no matter how many times you model it, you are not alone. The /r/ is one of the trickiest sounds in speech therapy… and it's also one of the most common reasons kids stay on caseloads way longer than they should. In this episode, I'm sharing 15 practical, therapist-tested strategies for teaching the /r/ sound (especially for those kids who aren't responding to the usual cues). You'll hear a variety of approaches, including shaping from other sounds, tongue tension tricks, tactile and visual cues, auditory discrimination strategies, and even a few "reset" options for when nothing is working. Whether you're working with bunched /r/, retroflex /r/, vocalic /r/, or you're just desperate for fresh ideas, this episode will give you a toolbox full of options to try immediately in your next session. (Psst!  Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast, we have something awesome coming next week!)

    34 min

  8. FEB 4

    The (Hidden) Decision Tree that Every Effective SLP Uses to Guide Therapy Decisions

    Every effective SLP has it…even if they don't realize it. There's a hidden decision tree guiding their therapy choices: what areas to target, what skills to teach, what to do next, and when to move on. It's not something you're explicitly taught in grad school. It's something you slowly build over years of experience. In this episode, I'm making that invisible decision tree visible. We'll walk through the exact mental process strong clinicians use when they get that first call: "Something feels off." "They have a speech delay." "It's probably a processing issue…" I'll share with you my decision tree that helps me quickly narrow concerns into the right therapy area (speech, language, fluency, voice, social communication, or functional communication), and then how to follow a choose-your-own-adventure style path to identify what actually needs to be taught. You'll learn: How experienced SLPs move from vague concerns to clear therapy targets How to sort challenges into the right buckets (and avoid chasing the wrong goals) Why beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels matter and how they guide your next steps How having a clear decision tree reduces decision fatigue and speeds up planning If you've ever felt overwhelmed by too many options, unsure which skill to tackle next, or stuck second-guessing your therapy decisions… this episode will feel like someone finally handed you the map. Listen today or simply grab our decision tree inside the SLK Curriculum today: https://hub.speechandlanguagekids.com/

    18 min
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4.6
out of 5
157 Ratings

About

This podcast is for SLPs, Caregivers, and Educators supporting neurodiverse children and teens who want practical, respectful, and effective ways to build communication skills. Our approach supports children with all neuro-differences, including speech/language differences, learning differences, ADHD, Autism, developmental disorders, and more! Each episode blends neurodiversity-affirming approaches with evidence-based speech and language therapy strategies, covering topics like speech sound disorders, language development, AAC, gestalt language processing, executive functioning, social communication, and more. You'll hear actionable ideas you can use right away—whether you're planning therapy sessions, supporting a child at home, or navigating the school system. We believe children aren't broken—they need better supports. This show focuses on strength-based, child-centered practices that honor individuality while helping kids communicate more confidently and independently. If you're looking for speech therapy tips, language development strategies, support for neurodivergent learners, and realistic ways to make therapy simpler and more effective, you're in the right place.

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