Speech and Language Kids Podcast

Carrie Clark, CCC-SLP
  • 4.6 (156)
  • 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. 16H AGO

    Middle and High School Speech/Language Therapy: What to Work On

    What should we focus on in middle school and high school speech/language therapy? In today's episode, I'll share with you a practical, no-fluff framework for supporting teenagers on real-life communication skills through our speech/language therapy sessions. We'll cover the four big areas that matter most for helping adolescents thrive in school, work, relationships, and independence: Executive Functioning Skills Working memory, cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, planning, task initiation, and the self-monitoring teens need to actually use their communication skills in the real world. Communication for Academic Success How to shift from basic language goals to higher-level skills like discourse, figurative language, vocabulary learning strategies, and synthesizing complex information. Social Communication Skills Perspective taking, navigating disagreements, repairing breakdowns, using nuance, and advocating for their needs in social and academic settings. Life Skills (a.k.a. "Adulting Skills") Practical communication for communicating with others in real-world situations, problem-solving, time management, and understanding personal strengths and accommodations. If you've ever wondered whether you're targeting the right skills for your older students, or you want a better roadmap for helping adolescents with the skills that really make the biggest difference, today's episode is for you!

    19 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Carrie Clark's No-Fluff Approach to Speech/Language Therapy

    Get ready for a totally transparent, behind-the-scenes walk through how I actually run speech and language therapy.  No jargon, no overthinking, and definitely no fluff. In today's episode, I'm breaking down my entire therapy system from start to finish. You'll learn exactly how I choose goals, organize materials, run sessions, and streamline data collection using the SLK Curriculum and Goal Packets. Whether you're overwhelmed by your caseload or just want a cleaner, simpler way to plan therapy, this episode gives you the full roadmap. Hop in and grab our SLK Curriculum, goal packets, and planning resources at Hub.SpeechAndLanguageKids.com  Start your free trial today!

    18 min

  3. 2D AGO

    Do a Caseload Audit! (SLP Caseload Makeover, Part 1)

    Whether you've inherited a messy caseload… …or you've simply been in survival mode so long that things are a bit chaotic…. Our Caseload Makeover will help you clean up your caseload and get rid of inefficiencies. This month, join us on a journey to streamline your caseload, fast track clients who are close to dismissal, and make your planning process smooth and easy. In this episode, we kick off our Caseload Makeover series by tackling the very first—and most important—step: the caseload audit. If your schedule feels overloaded, if certain students seem to be "lingering" on your list, or if you're just not sure where to focus next, this simple process will give you the clarity you've been missing. You'll learn how to audit your caseload during your regular therapy sessions (no extra paperwork time required!) and how to quickly sort students based on their current progress as well as any additional needs they have. We talk about why this step matters, what patterns to look for, and how this single exercise sets the stage for faster progress for clients and a more manageable workload for you. Grab the Caseload Audit Checklist inside the SLK Curriculum at Hub.SpeechAndLanguageKids.com

    13 min

  4. 6D AGO

    Not Talking Yet? 6 Easy Strategies to Help Autistic Children Speak

    How Do We Help Non-Speaking Children? Helping an autistic child learn to speak can feel overwhelming—it's so hard to know where to start.  But these 6 simple strategies are easy to use and create big impact for our autistic clients and children. Whether you're a speech-language pathologist in the therapy room, a parent at home, a teacher in the classroom, or a childcare provider, these strategies give you a clear, concrete place to begin with any non-speaking child. And the best part? They work whether a child is a gestalt language processor, an analytic language processor, or a child who needs alternative ways to communicate, such as AAC. If you want an approachable, neurodiversity-affirming starting point for supporting communication, this episode lays out exactly what to do next.

    33 min

  5. JAN 15

    How to Teach Conversation Skills to Children & Teens

    In today's episode, I'm diving into one of the most important communication skills we can teach our neurodivergent children and teens: conversation. Some children are natural conversationalists, while others need more support—and neither way is "better." But when a child struggles with the nuances of back-and-forth interaction, they deserve tools that help them feel confident, understood, and connected. This episode breaks conversational skills into three teachable levels: Level 1: Initiating and responding Level 2: Maintaining and managing conversations Level 3: Navigating more complex interactions like repairing breakdowns, disagreements, and self-advocacy We'll also talk about using AI to generate personalized social scenarios, how to encourage self-reflection, and why staying in a growth mindset matters. How does your client/child score?  Our interactive scorecard will tell you where a child or teen needs additional supports --> Take the free Neurodivergent & Thriving Scorecard at SLKScorecard.com. And for an easy, ready-to-go therapy plan that you can start today, grab the Conversational Skills Goal Packets inside the Hub: Hub.SpeechAndLanguageKids.com.

    16 min

  6. JAN 14

    How to Use AI to Keep Speech Therapy Fun and Engaging (The Easy Way!)

    Too many SLPs feel pressured to bring brand-new activities to every session—but that actually slows progress and burns you out. In today's episode, I explain why sticking with one structured teaching activity (like the workbooks inside our Curriculum) creates better, faster results… and how AI can fill in the gaps with unlimited, customized practice. We walk through a real example targeting vocabulary skills—from early word learning all the way up to advanced word-attack strategies—and I show you exactly where AI fits in to boost engagement and mastery. You'll learn: Why you don't need endless activities to teach a skill (goodbye late nights scouring TPT!) How to build a start-to-finish plan that uses skill progressions to systematically teach skills When to pause and provide more practice before moving on How AI can instantly generate custom materials: word lists, images, prompts, stories, social scenarios, and more How this approach keeps therapy fun, consistent, and effective without adding extra work to your plate Whether you use my Curriculum or your own materials, this episode will help you simplify your planning, reduce burnout, and keep clients excited to learn. Listen in and learn how to make AI your new therapy sidekick!

    24 min

  7. JAN 13

    Is it OK to Teach Perspective-Taking to Autistic Youth?

    Is it actually OK to teach perspective-taking to autistic youth? In this episode, Carrie breaks down the current controversy, explains why so many SLPs feel confused about whether they're "allowed" to teach these skills anymore, and unpacks how traditional Theory of Mind instruction became entwined with masking, judgment, and deficit-based thinking. You'll learn what the real issue is (hint: it's the double empathy problem, not a lack of empathy in autistic individuals) and why perspective-taking is still a valuable, empowering skill when taught through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. Carrie shares her stance: all brains work differently, and autistic kids deserve information—not pressure to conform. Today's perspective-taking work is about helping youth feel safer, more secure, and more confident navigating the world their own way. We then walk through how the new SLK Perspective-Taking Goal Packet teaches these skills without enforcing neurotypical norms, shame, or "correct answers," focusing instead on safety, understanding, curiosity, and real-world meaning. If you've ever wondered how to teach perspective-taking in a respectful, ND-affirming way, this episode will clarify exactly how to do it. Check out the Perspective-Taking Goal Packet inside the SLK Curriculum—available to all members (with free trial options): https://hub.speechandlanguagekids.com/

    23 min

  8. JAN 12

    Why I'm Adding Data Probes to all of my Speech/Language Therapy Packets

    Today I'm giving you a behind-the-scenes look at a HUGE upgrade coming to the SLK Curriculum: data probes for all 84 of our speech, language, and communication goal packets! In this episode, I share why I'm adding these probes (including my recent experience in a rural school district), what the new system looks like, and how these quick assessments will help you set goals, track progress, and streamline therapy all year long. You'll learn exactly how to use the updated packets, from choosing a goal, collecting baseline data, printing and organizing your materials, running monthly probes, and knowing when a child has officially mastered a skill. Whether you're an SLP planning a full caseload, a parent or teacher working on one goal at a time, or a professional who wants ready-made clarity, these new data probes are going to make your life so much easier. Grab your updated packets inside the SLK Curriculum: Hub.SpeechAndLanguageKids.com And check out the new Neurodiverse & Thriving Scorecard at SLKScorecard.com to see where your learners need support.

    17 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.6
out of 5
156 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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