Speech Therapy 101 for Moms: Signs, Timing, School Services, and Airway Links Host Michelle Barnett introduces the Mommin’ Together podcast and interviews licensed speech language pathologist Kim about what speech therapy is and when kids may need it. Kim shares her background, describes pediatric domains including articulation, receptive and expressive language, social language, stuttering (developmental vs. persistent), and feeding/swallowing, and highlights early signs such as limited babbling or vocabulary, not responding to sounds or name, hearing issues, and communication-related frustration. They discuss “late talkers,” developmental sound norms (most sounds by age five), and how airway issues (sleep apnea signs, palate shape, mouth breathing, snoring, teeth grinding, bedwetting) can affect attention, growth, and speech, sometimes addressed with scans, expanders, and tie revisions. Kim compares private vs. school-based therapy eligibility and models, notes homeschool/private-school access to public services in Texas, explains variable therapy duration, suggests at-home language-building strategies, and provides ways to connect via Teach Speech ETX resources. 00:00 Welcome to Mommin Together 00:48 Meet Kim the SLP 01:15 Kim’s Path to Speech Therapy 04:06 What Speech Therapy Covers 07:29 Stuttering and Feeding Basics 11:03 Early Signs to Watch 14:58 Late Talker or Delay 17:09 Cute Mispronunciations and Norms 20:06 Airway Issues and Oral Exam 26:08 Airway Resources and Growth 30:49 Starting Early vs Later 33:22 Private vs School Services 33:43 Private Therapy Options 34:52 School Eligibility Cutoffs 37:17 Group Versus One On One 38:49 Services Without Enrollment 40:24 Requesting Evaluations Right 43:04 Homeschool Outpatient Programs 45:03 How Long Therapy Takes 49:11 Home Language Routines 54:35 When To Get Evaluated 56:12 Apps Tools And Contact 01:01:14 Mom Mindset And Presence 01:04:52 Final Encouragement Outro Connect with Kim Kim Gray, a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist through the Texas State Board of Examiners and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). I have extensive experience over the last 15 years with supporting children ages 2–18. I specialize in articulation, language development, social communication, identification of orofacial myofunctional disorders, family-centered therapy, and advocacy for school based services. I am a wife, and a mom to two beautiful children, and an avid dog lover/ rescuer and foster. Teach Speech ETX Website http://teachspeechetx.com Teach Speech Phone: 903-521-5368 Resources: Free Developmental Milestones Checklist: https://www.facebook.com/teachspeechetx Get Speech Therapy Through a School - Texas Project First: https://texasprojectfirst.org/ Speech Therapy Apps: For articulation: 1. Speech tutor 2. Articulate it 3. Articulation station hive. 4. Articulation games 5. Speech box For language: Speak easy Speech blubs Pok pok My words For visual schedules: Choiceworks Readyset East Texas Airway Specialists: Beyond Pediatrics Dentistry East Texas Orofacial Myology Dr. Tad Morgan Dr. Evans - Healthier Smiles Mosaic Dentistry Dr. Capps Orthodontist Airway Educators on Instagram: Oral Motor Institute Breathe_institute Restorateive_myo Askthedentist Connect with Michelle: Instagram: @Mommin_Together @Michelle_Barnett_ Join our Mommin’ Together Facebook Community
