Speechie Auntie

08/19/2026

I’m an old school speech therapist in some ways, and I’m okay with that.

Yes, I still use reinforcement charts sometimes.

I know reinforcement systems have become a little controversial in some therapy spaces. I understand the conversation around intrinsic motivation and making sure we aren’t expecting children to “earn” access to things they need.

I also don’t believe every sticker chart is inherently harmful.

For some kids, seeing their progress is exciting. Working toward something they genuinely enjoy is motivating. It gives them something concrete to look forward to and creates an opportunity to celebrate their hard work.

This particular kiddo LOVES snow cones. So we made a plan. 8 great speech sessions = a trip for a snow cone.

He knows exactly what he’s working toward. He’s excited about it. You better believe we’re going to celebrate when he gets there.

Not every strategy is right for every child. I’m also not interested in throwing out something that is positive, motivating, and working for a particular child simply because it’s considered “old school.”

Sometimes, if it works, it works.

Yes, I’ll happily buy the snow cone.

08/18/2026

STOP QUIZZING. START COMMENTING.

“What’s this?”
“What color is it?”
“What sound does the cow make?”
“How many are there?”
“What is she doing?”

Sound familiar?

As adults, we often ask children questions because we’re trying to help them learn and encourage them to talk. However, when we ask question after question, especially questions we already know the answer to, communication can start to feel more like a test than a conversation.

Try commenting instead.

Instead of: “What color is the car?”
Try: “That’s a RED car!”

Instead of: “What is the dog doing?”
Try: “The dog is sleeping. Shhh!”

Instead of: “What does the cow say?”
Try: “Moo! That cow is LOUD!”

Instead of: “What are you building?”
Try: “Whoa! You’re building a BIG tower!”

Instead of: “How many do you have?”
Try: “You have SO many! One, two, three!”

Why does this help?

When we comment, we give children language they can hear, understand, and eventually use themselves without requiring them to come up with an answer on the spot.

It can also create more natural back-and-forth interactions because your child gets to decide if and how they want to respond.

Questions absolutely have a place in communication. The goal isn’t to stop asking them altogether. It’s to find a better balance between asking, commenting, modeling, and simply enjoying the interaction together.

Try this today: During 5 minutes of play, notice how many questions you ask. For every question, try adding 2–3 comments.

Less testing. More modeling. More connection.

08/06/2026

Skip the drive. Skip the waiting room. Get speech therapy right at home.

One of the biggest benefits families tell me they love about working with Speechie Auntie is that I come to you.

No packing everyone into the car.
No sitting in traffic after a long day.
No waiting in a crowded therapy office.

Instead, your child receives individualized speech therapy in the comfort of their own home, where they're often the most relaxed, engaged, and ready to learn. We can use your child's favorite toys, books, and everyday routines to build communication skills that carry over into real life.

For busy families, it also means one less errand to squeeze into your already full schedule. You can spend more time together and less time commuting.

Proudly providing in-home pediatric speech therapy throughout Leander, Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, Georgetown, Round Rock, Pflugerville, North Austin, and surrounding Central Texas communities.

If you've been putting off speech therapy because getting to appointments feels overwhelming, I'd love to help make it easier.

08/03/2026

Helping your toddler build language doesn’t have to mean buying special toys or adding another activity to your already busy day.

Some of the best opportunities for communication happen during the routines you’re already doing, folding laundry, looking out the window, playing with water, helping in the kitchen, and building with blocks.

In my newest blog, I’m sharing five more simple ways to turn those everyday moments into meaningful language-learning opportunities.

This is especially helpful for families supporting a child with a speech delay, autism, late talking, or other communication differences.

Read the blog here:

https://www.speechieauntie.com/blog/5-more-everyday-speech-therapy-activities-at-home

Small changes during everyday routines can create big opportunities for connection, learning, and communication.

Help your toddler build speech and language skills through everyday routines. Learn 5 simple activities from a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist serving Leander, Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, Georgetown, and nearby communities.

07/31/2026

Helping your toddler build language doesn’t have to mean sitting down with flashcards or adding another task to your already busy day.

Some of the best opportunities for communication happen during the routines you’re already doing, mealtime, bath time, reading books, getting dressed, and snack time.

In my newest blog, I’m sharing five simple ways to turn those everyday moments into meaningful language-learning opportunities.

This is especially helpful for families supporting a child with a speech delay, autism, late talking, or other communication differences.

Read the blog here:

https://www.speechieauntie.com/blog/5-everyday-speech-therapy-activities-at-home

Small changes during everyday routines can create big opportunities for connection and communication.

Wondering how to help your toddler talk? Discover 5 everyday speech therapy activities at home that naturally build language during mealtime, bath time, reading, getting dressed, and snack time. Learn practical tips from a pediatric speech-language pathologist serving Leander, TX and surrounding Cen

07/27/2026

NEW BLOG: Behavior Is Communication: What Your Child Is Really Trying to Tell You

Why does my toddler hit? Why do they bite, throw toys, or have meltdowns over what seems like a small change?

These are some of the most common questions I hear as a pediatric speech-language pathologist providing in-home speech therapy in Leander, Texas.

The truth is that behavior is rarely "bad." More often, behavior is communication.

When children have a speech delay, language delay, autism, or other communication differences, they may rely on behavior to express what they cannot yet say with words. Understanding the "why" behind a behavior is the first step toward teaching more effective communication skills.

In my newest blog, you'll learn:
• Why behavior is communication
• The four messages behind many challenging behaviors
• Why waiting and transitions can be especially difficult for young children
• Practical strategies to support communication during everyday routines
• When it may be time to schedule a speech and language evaluation

If you're looking for answers about toddler behavior, speech delays, autism, or pediatric speech therapy in Leander, I hope you'll find this article both helpful and encouraging.

Read the full blog here: https://www.speechieauntie.com/blog/url-slug-behavior-is-communication

Speechie Auntie provides in-home pediatric speech therapy, speech and language evaluations, AAC services, autism-affirming speech therapy, and caregiver coaching for families in Leander, Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, Georgetown, Round Rock, Pflugerville, and North Austin.

Wondering why your toddler hits, screams, or melts down? Learn why behavior is communication from a pediatric speech-language pathologist serving Leander and surrounding communities.

07/24/2026

One thing that makes Speechie Auntie different...

Speech therapy doesn't stop when I walk out the door.

That's why I offer dedicated caregiver coaching sessions as an added service for the families I work with. During these one-on-one sessions, we step away from direct therapy to focus entirely on helping caregivers feel confident supporting their child's communication at home.

Some of the topics we've covered recently include:
✨ Beginner social routines (people games)
✨ Turning play and shared book reading into communication opportunities
✨ Understanding behavior as communication and practical behavior management strategies
✨ Supporting toileting routines
✨ Helping children transition, wait, and communicate during everyday routines

These sessions are individualized to each family's needs and provide practical, realistic strategies that can be implemented immediately.

Research consistently shows that children make the greatest progress when caregivers are active participants in the intervention process. That's why my role extends beyond working with your child during our weekly therapy sessions. My goal is to help families feel confident, supported, and equipped with practical strategies they can naturally incorporate into the other 166 hours of their child's week, where communication is truly learned and practiced every day.

Learn why parent coaching and caregiver coaching are essential parts of pediatric speech therapy and how they help children make meaningful progress at home.

07/21/2026

A common questions I hear from parents is:

"Will preschool help my child talk?"

The answer is yes...but it depends.

Preschool provides wonderful opportunities for children to hear language, interact with peers, and practice communication throughout the day. However, for many children with a speech or language delay, preschool alone may not provide the individualized support they need.

In my newest blog, I explain:
• How preschool supports speech and language development
• What preschool can and cannot do
• When speech therapy may also be beneficial
• How to decide what's best for your child

If you've been wondering whether preschool is the right next step for your child, I hope this article gives you clarity and confidence.

Read the full blog here:

Wondering if preschool will help your child's speech delay? Learn what preschool can and cannot do from a pediatric speech-language pathologist.

07/17/2026

One of the best parts of being a pediatric speech language pathologist is hearing yourself say, "Your child's communication skills are age appropriate."

That sentence never gets old.

Speech therapy is about helping children develop the communication skills they need to thrive at home, at school, and in their everyday lives. Watching a child make steady progress until they no longer need speech therapy is one of the greatest privileges of this profession.

Every milestone matters, every small step adds up, and every discharge is a reminder of what can happen when early intervention, consistent practice, and family involvement come together.

Moments like these are exactly why I love what I do.

07/11/2026

"My toddler understands everything I say... but they just won't talk."

Understanding language and using language are two different skills. A child who follows directions, points to familiar objects, and seems to understand what's happening may still have difficulty expressing themselves with words.

There are many reasons this can happen, which is why it's so important not to rely on milestone charts or guesswork alone. A comprehensive speech-language evaluation looks at the whole child to identify why communication is challenging and what supports may help.

In my newest blog, I explain:
• What an expressive language delay is
• Why some toddlers understand more than they can say
• Common causes of delayed expressive language
• When it's time to seek a speech-language evaluation

If you've been wondering whether your child is simply a late talker or may benefit from an evaluation, I hope this article gives you clarity.

Read it here: https://www.speechieauntie.com/blog/my-toddler-understands-everything-but-wont-talk

Speechie Auntie provides in-home pediatric speech-language evaluations and therapy for toddlers and preschoolers throughout Leander, Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, Pflugerville, and North Austin.

Does your toddler understand everything but isn't talking much? Learn about expressive language delay, when to seek help, and what to expect from a speech evaluation.