NeuroNest Collective

Communication is a fundamental part of being human. For some, however, the journey to clear and confident speech is marked by challenges that require understanding, support, and targeted therapy. One such challenge is Apraxia of Speech (AOS)—a neurological speech disorder that affects the brain’s ability to plan and coordinate the movements necessary for speech. Let’s explore what Apraxia of Speech is, its signs, and how individuals with AOS can benefit from tailored interventions. --- 🌿 What is Apraxia of Speech? Apraxia of Speech (AOS) is a motor speech disorder caused by neurological damage or differences, affecting the brain’s ability to send correct signals to the muscles that produce speech (like the lips, tongue, and jaw). Unlike speech issues stemming from muscle weakness (dysarthria), AOS is about the planning and sequencing of sounds and movements. AOS can be developmental (present from birth) or acquired (often due to a stroke, brain injury, or neurological condition). --- ...

Introduction Speech therapy may be an ideal way of helping children develop communication skills, but what happens when the child refuses to cooperate? For some reason or another, be it anxiety, boredom, or lack of motivation, motivating a child to undergo speech therapy sessions can be challenging. Here are some practical tips for parents and therapists for making speech therapy more play and less work. --- 1. Build Trust First Children can be resistant to speech therapy if they feel coerced or misunderstood. Spend time building a good relationship by discovering the child's interests, strengths, and communication style. A straightforward game or reading a favorite book together can create trust. --- 2. Follow the Child's Lead If the child is interested in dinosaurs, vehicles, or a particular television program, bring them into the therapy sessions. For example, bring in toy dinosaurs on a "dino adventure" to practice new sounds or words. Letting the child be the bos...

Reading tends to be a quiet, alone activity—but when we read aloud, magic happens. It turns out that the simple act can have an amazing impact on our brain wiring, our neural pathways becoming stronger, improving memory, and reinforcing linguistic skills. Let's talk about how reading aloud feeds our brain and why it's a practice you need to make part of your daily life. ---  The Power of Spoken Words When you read aloud, your brain is utilizing a number of areas at the same time: Auditory Processing: Your brain is hearing the sounds of the words, engaging areas of listening and comprehension. Speech Production: You are producing the sounds with your mouth, engaging motor areas utilized for speech. Visual Processing: You are seeing the text with your eyes, engaging visual and language centers. Memory and Emotion: Listening to your own voice can help create more emotional connections to the material, causing you to remember it better. Such multi-sensory stimulation strengthens th...

Communication is more than just words—it’s about connecting, understanding, and navigating the subtle dance of social interactions. For many individuals, especially children with developmental differences, pragmatic language skills—the "how" of communication—can be a challenge. In this post, we’ll explore what pragmatic language is, why it matters, and practical ways to support its development in children and adults alike. --- What Are Pragmatic Language Skills? Pragmatic language is the social use of language—the unwritten rules that govern how we communicate in different situations. It includes: Knowing what to say (choosing the appropriate words and tone) Knowing when to say it (timing, taking turns, and feeling context) Knowing how to say it (body language, eye contact, gestures, facial expressions) For example, greeting a friend in the park is different from welcoming a teacher in the classroom. Pragmatic skills allow us to adjust our communication based on who we are ta...

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way individuals perceive the world, talk, and interact with others. It may be challenging for many autistic children to understand the complexities of daily life. This is where clinical psychology steps in — playing a central role in the understanding, support, and empowerment of autistic children in order to realize their optimal potential. Understanding Autism: A Neurodiversity Approach Prior to discussing the place of clinical psychology, it's necessary to adopt a neurodiversity mindset. Autism is not something to be "cured" — it's a unique way of existing in the world. Clinical psychology, when applied with empathy and understanding, accepts and values these differences alongside providing support that is sympathetic to the child's strengths and requirements. What Does a Clinical Psychologist Do? Clinical psychologists working with autism offer services in various areas to help autistic children...

When a child or adult is struggling to communicate using speech, it's important to discover helpful ways to facilitate their communication. One such method is the Sign Language Bridge—a technique that utilizes signs and verbal words to foster comprehension, aid in communication, and build confidence. What is the Sign Language Bridge? The sign language bridge is a method of communication where one learns to speak and sign simultaneously. For example, when you utter the word "eat," you also utter the sign for "eat." Over time, the individual will say the word, sign the word, or both, depending on one's capacity and convenience. This method works because signs create a kinesthetic and visual cue—a gesture or motion that makes the word more understandable, more memorable, and eventually producible orally. Why Use Signs to Support Speech? Others might wonder: Will signing keep my child from learning to talk? The response is reassuring: study after study shows tha...

As parents, caregivers, and educators, it's only normal to wonder when a child should start talking. Some kids are slow starters when it comes to language, while others may have a language disorder. So how do we know the difference between a "late talker" and a child with a language disorder? Let's examine the most critical signs. --- What is a Late Talker? A late talker is a child who is otherwise developing normally—like play, social interaction, and understanding of language—but starts talking later than expected. These children may: Use fewer words than other children by age 2 (fewer than 50 words) Not begin combining words until after age 2.5 Have typical play skills and understanding of what is said to them Typically "catch up" by 3–4 years of age without treatment --- What is a Language Disorder? A language disorder, such as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), is ongoing difficulty with understanding and/or using language. Some of the signs include...

Introduction Joint attention is an important milestone in children's communication and social development. It is the ability to share attention with someone else on an object or event, for instance, when you are a toddler and you point at a toy and look at the other person to see if they notice it too. Joint experience helps children learn about the environment, acquire language, and become emotionally attached to people. In toddlers, especially in children who may have differences in development like autism, developing joint attention can be a critical early goal. Why Joint Attention Matters Joint attention isn't just gazing at the same thing—it's about making connections. Joint attention helps kids: Learn new words Understand social cues Develop empathy and relationships Build the groundwork for conversation Without joint attention, it is difficult for toddlers to really engage with others or learn from their environment. Strategies to Promote Joint Attention in Toddlers ...

Introduction Language is a fundamental part of human communication. However, for others, language learning is something that is still a problem. Fortunately, music therapy offers an enjoyable and empowering way to boost language learning for children of any age or skill level. ---  What is Music Therapy? Music therapy is the clinical application of music to treat individualized goals, such as improving communication, motor skills, or emotional well-being. It is delivered by professional music therapists and is backed by neuroscience and second language acquisition studies. --- How Does Music Therapy Help Language Learning? Language and music have a great deal to do with one another in the brain. Music therapy taps into this interaction when it uses rhythm, melody, and repetition to establish speech and communication skills. 1. Increases Auditory Discrimination Students can recognize individual sounds and tones—required for language learning. 2. Develops Vocabulary and Grammar Songs...

This article explores prevailing myths and recent research on bilingualism in neurodivergent kids, such as those with autism, ADHD, and other developmental differences. It counters fears parents and educators typically hold and identifies the cognitive, social, and cultural benefits that bilingualism could confer to neurodivergent students. Sections to include: 1. Introduction: Describe bilingualism and neurodiversity. Describe the controversy—some individuals believe bilingualism confuses neurodivergent children, while others believe it enhances cognitive flexibility. 2. Common Myths Dispelled: Myth: Bilingualism causes language delays. Myth: Neurodivergent children are only able to cope with one language. Myth: Bilingual families should maintain one language to prevent confusion. 3. Research Findings: Provide evidence that bilingualism is not responsible for delays in language and can actually enhance executive functioning and social flexibility in some neurodivergent children. 4. Ad...

Introduction Speech is a powerful tool for communication, but for millions of people worldwide, expressing thoughts verbally isn’t always easy. One of the most recognized speech disorders is stuttering (also known as stammering). This blog post explores what stuttering is, its causes, symptoms, and treatment options, aiming to foster awareness and empathy for those who live with this condition. --- What is Stuttering? Stuttering is a speech disorder that involves disruptions in the smooth production of speech. These disruptions can be: Repeating sounds, syllables, or words (e.g., "b-b-boy") Lengthening sounds (e.g., "ssssun") Freezing up completely and not talking at all (a block or inability to make a sound) While it's normal for young children to exhibit some disfluency in the process of acquiring language, persistent stuttering after repeated attempts at age five may require professional intervention. --- Causes of Stuttering The exact cause of stuttering is ...

Language acquisition is as varied as the children who go through it. One dynamic yet poorly understood way in which some children pick up language is through Gestalt Language Processing (GLP)—a process by which language is learned in blocks or scripts instead of individual words. For a great many parents of neurodivergent children, learning this mode of language can be the tipping point. --- What Is Gestalt Language Processing? Gestalt Language Acquisition is a way of learning language in whole sentences rather than building from individual words. For instance, a child might say, "I don't like that!" as one unit, although they do not yet use or understand the words in isolation. This contrasts with more common analytic language acquisition, where language begins at the word level and comes to end up at the sentence and phrase levels. --- Who Are Gestalt Language Processors? Many autistic children are gestalt language processors, but non-autistic children can have this lan...

Communication is extremely critical to build relationships. What happens when a person is not able to talk or has difficulty talking? This is where Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) comes in which is a powerful set of tools and strategies that enables individuals to be heard in the way that is best for them. What Is AAC? AAC refers to all forms of communication other than oral speech used to express one’s thoughts, needs, desires and ideas. For those who do not speak or speak minimally, AAC can serve as an alternative to spoken language or enhance existing speech.  AAC is not one solution for all. It is inclusive of a range of methods from basic to high tech, and is tailored to address the specific needs of the user. Who Uses AAC?   Anyone that has a speech or language difficulty can be supported with AAC tools, regardless of age. This includes but is not limited to:   Children and adults with autism   Individuals with cerebral palsy...

Autistic children also often have speech and language development issues. Fortunately, there are therapies that are designed to help and support speech in autistic children. Each therapy is tailored to the child's individual needs to enable them to communicate with ease and confidence. 1. Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Speech and Language Therapy is the most common intervention. The child is visited by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to improve verbal and non-verbal communication. This can include: Developing articulation and pronunciation Improving vocabulary and sentence structure Improving understanding and use of gestures, signs, or pictures Acquiring social communication skills like greetings and turn-taking 2. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) While ABA is a broad methodology, it often incorporates speech goals. Reinforcement strategies are used by therapists to elicit attempts at speech, shaping sounds into words and functional language in a stepwise manner. ABA can be ...

Introduction Speech and language development are key components of a child’s growth. They allow children to express themselves, build relationships, and explore the world. While every child progresses at their own pace, understanding what’s typical—and when there might be a delay—helps caregivers provide timely support. --- Typical Speech Milestones by Age 0 – 6 Months Typical Development: Reacts to sounds by startling or turning toward them Coos and gurgles Varies cries to express different needs Possible Delays: Doesn’t react to loud sounds Rare or no vocalization --- 6 – 12 Months Typical Development: Begins to babble (“ba-ba,” “da-da”) Responds to name Uses gestures like waving or reaching Possible Delays: No babbling by 9 months Doesn’t respond to name or sounds --- 12 – 18 Months Typical Development: Says 1–5 simple words (e.g., “mama,” “ball”) Understands basic directions Points to objects they want Possible Delays: No spoken words by 15 months Doesn’t use gestures or point --- ...

Overview Speech and language development is one of the most rewarding — and sometimes anxiety-inducing — aspects of early childhood. For parents of children who are neurodiverse, whether they have Autism, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy, information about typical milestones and early recognition of delays can be profoundly empowering. Here is a brief, age-by-age rundown of speech milestones, along with guidance on when to call in the experts. --- Age-by-Age Speech Milestones ---   Why Do Delays Happen? Autism: Typically comes with delayed speech and non-verbal communication variations (eye contact, gestures). Down Syndrome: Characterized by speech intelligibility issues resulting from low muscle tone and hearing losses. Cerebral Palsy: Motor impairments can affect the muscles used for speaking (called dysarthria). --- When to Seek Help No babbling by 12 months No words by 18 months Very hard to understand speech after 3 years Regression (losing speech skills that had been acquired...