The Listening SLP

06/02/2026

As families head to pools, lakes, beaches, and water parks this summer, it’s important to remember that water can create unique communication challenges for DHH children. 🌊

When hearing technology comes off, access to spoken information may decrease significantly. Notice I said SPOKEN information as visual languages and communication are still available.

The good news? Being intentional with preparation BEFORE time by the water is key. I highly encourage families to have visual cues for safety established for pool days! 🆘👋🏾

Using attention-getting strategies and proactive communication can help keep DHH children safe while allowing them to fully enjoy the water. 💕

SHARE this post with a family, swim instructors, camp counselors, or educators who works with DHH children. ☀️🏊🦻🏾
•
•
•

06/01/2026

June is CMV Awareness Month!

Have you heard of CMV? 🦠

Before working in a hospital, I had very limited knowledge about CMV. I learned an incredible amount about CMV and the overall implications on a child’s development. Knowing the impact that CMV has on hearing, it is important to highlight the impact of CMV.

Many speech-language pathologists do not know about CMV or the overall impact outside of hearing loss. A study found that only 26% of SLPs have somewhat of a knowledge base of CMV! 😳

I co-wrote an article for the ASHA Leader with Lisa Eickel is available to increase awareness! The positive news is that there are clinical trials focusing on preventative vaccines! 💉

For more information, please visit National CMV Foundation ().

DM me for the link to the article. ✨
•
•
•

05/30/2026

Heading to FLASHA 2026? Come hang out with me poolside! ☀️🏝️

I love warm weather, great drinks, and chill vibes! Join me for a casual poolside chat on:

📅 Thursday, July 9, 2026
⏰ 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

This is a chance to connect, network, ask questions, share ideas, and chat about all things listening, language, literacy, and supporting children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Whether you’ve been following The Listening SLP for years or we’re just meeting for the first time, I’d love to connect with you in person! 🫶🏾

You can also catch me presenting throughout the conference! SWIPE RIGHT for presentation details. 🎤

Come say hello, bring your questions, and let’s talk about practical strategies, evidence-based practice, and what really matters for the students and families we serve.

If you’re attending FLASHA 2026, drop a 🙌🏾 in the comments so I know to look for you!

P.S. Poolside conversations are often where the best ideas happen. See you there! ☀️
•
•
•

05/28/2026

Not everything we see on TV, social media, or in the news needs a speech-language pathology “diagnosis.”

It has become increasingly common to see SLPs (and SLP-adjacent content) pointing out perceived “disorders” in celebrities, characters, or public figures based on clips, interviews, or curated media moments.

But here’s the problem ⬇️
This is not our scope of practice. And it is not ethical practice.

As SLPs, we are trained to evaluate communication disorders through comprehensive assessment, case history, standardized tools, dynamic observation, and clinical judgment within context. We do not diagnose individuals from edited content, soundbites, or public appearances.

When we casually label what we see online, we risk:

👉🏾 Reducing complex human behavior to speculation
👉🏾 Spreading misinformation about communication disorders
👉🏾 Reinforcing stigma about neurodiversity and disability
👉🏾 Undermining public trust in our profession
👉🏾 Violating ethical boundaries around diagnosis and professional conduct

Even when intentions are good, “diagnosing” strangers in media spaces is not harmless commentary. It can contribute to misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the very populations we serve.

We can advocate for awareness, educate the public, and celebrate neurodiversity without turning every public moment into a clinical case study.

Professional integrity means knowing when not to speak in a diagnostic voice.

Let’s keep our lens clinical where it belongs! 💕
•
•
•

05/26/2026

05/19/2026

There’s something powerful about realizing the SAME challenges in literacy and language exist across the globe! 🌍

Recently, I had the opportunity to present virtually for South African SLTs. Major thanks and appreciation to for letting me present to your group. I’m so thankful be recognized internationally for my work and knowledge. 🥹

These messages afterward reminded me why this work matters so much.Swipe through to read a few of the responses that stayed with me.✨

I love connecting with professionals worldwide to share practical strategies for:
• Literacy intervention
• Listening & auditory access
• Language development
• Supporting DHH students

If your organization, school, university, or conference is looking for virtual or international professional development, I’d love to connect.
•
•
•

05/18/2026

HAPPY NATIONAL SLP DAY!!! 🗣️

SWIPE RIGHT for a on me! ➡️

SLPs wear many hats and roles depending on the setting! I truly love and appreciate the small role I get to play in a families communication journey! Today is OUR day to show appreciation for one another and celebrate our profession. 💕

As a thank you for being a part of my village of support, here is Starbucks on me! 🎉

How this works: ⬇️
👉🏾 Scan the barcode at the register
👉🏾 Enjoy your coffee (or tea)!

Please only scan once to allow as many people as possible to get a treat. ☕️

Tag your favorite SLPs and tell them why you appreciate them!
•
•
•

05/17/2026

When I first learned about this model everything just clicked! 👀

The Simple View of Reading has been around since the 80s. Gough and Tumner explained that word recognition (reading the word) and language comprehension (understanding what those words mean) skills need to be EQUALLY strong to get to reading comprehension. 📖

Makes sense, but that model leaves out other elements that are necessary for a child to read.

✨ INTRODUCING THE ACTIVE VIEW OF READING ✨

The Active View of Reading takes into account the ability to self-regulate and the bridging processes of connecting letters to sounds.

Why do we need to know this information? ⤵️

💡 It helps to explain additional reasons why a child might struggle and have difficulty with reading
💡 Evaluate these additional areas when assessing a child for dyslexia or literacy related concerns
💡 Know other areas to focus on in therapy with a child

This open-access article lets you read more about The Active View of Reading.

Source of the Active View of Reading Graphic: Duke, N. K., & Cartwright, K. B. (2021). The science of reading progresses: Communicating advances beyond the Simple View of Reading. Reading Research Quarterly, 56(S1), S25-S44. https://ila.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/rrq.411

Have you heard this term before or did you learn something new?
·
·
·

05/15/2026

No greater words were said when Uncle Ben told Peter Parker that “With great power comes great responsibility.” 🕷️

Everyone wants POWER until they realize the responsibility that comes with it. A little over a month ago, , , and I did a panel discussion on leadership. We each brought different perspectives to the table, but the overall theme was when you’re a leader you have responsibility!

It’s not just business owners, social media content creators, and those who sit on their boards who are leaders. YOU are a leader in your clinical role as well.

We hold a lot of power when in comes to the instruction and care for our students, clients, and patients. That is a weighty responsibility to hold. We have to be wise with that power we have.

This means we stay current with best practices, we are engaged in difficult conversations, and we work to be inclusive to all.

It also means being willing to answer hard questions without getting defensive.

Let’s all take time to think about how we use the power we hold and those we give power to! Drop a 🙌🏾 in the comments if you agree.
•
•
•

05/13/2026

Listen! Basic human decency isn’t in the room with us any more! People have lost their minds.

Decorum and respect are becoming foreign words in today’s society. This is a reminder for us all. 🙂

Being a guest in a community you are not a member of is a PRIVILEGE. Just like with any house, communities have rules and guidelines. Nothing is wrong with disagreement (in fact it is healthy), but it shouldn’t turn into war!

These are general suggestions when engaging with other communities:
🔑 Do not bring bad intentions or motives
🔑 Listen to the community and acknowledge that you are a guest
🔑 Follow the rules

A Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast says “Be Our Guest”, but do not forget that you are just a GUEST. Act accordingly or get put out. 🤷🏾‍♀️

✨SHARE this post for others to benefit.
📥 SAVE this post to refer back to later.
•
•
•