Graceful Expression, Speech-Language Pathologist

Graceful Expression, Speech-Language Pathologist Graceful Expression is a pediatric private practice that provides speech/feeding therapy. It may be developmental or acquired."

This page is not only to spread awareness for Better Hearing and Speech Month, but also to help parents/families have a better understanding of what a communication disorder is. According to ASHA, "It is an impairment in the ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend concepts or verbal, nonverbal and graphic symbol systems. A communication disorder may be evident in the processes of hearing

, language, and/or speech. As a pediatric speech-language pathologist, we prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication skills, as well as swallowing disorders in children. If you have any questions/concerns about your child regarding speech & language skills or feeding, I'm here to discuss and answer your questions. :) Hope this page helps!

🚨 7 Mouth Breathing Red Flags Most Parents MissMouth breathing isn’t always obvious.Many children who struggle with mout...
06/07/2026

🚨 7 Mouth Breathing Red Flags Most Parents Miss

Mouth breathing isn’t always obvious.

Many children who struggle with mouth breathing don’t walk around with their mouths open all day. Instead, the signs can be subtle and easy to overlook.

Some common red flags I look for as a myofunctional therapist include:

👄 Lips open at rest
💋 Chronic chapped lips
😴 Restless sleep
💤 Snoring
🌙 Dark circles under the eyes
🦷 Crowded teeth
🧠 Attention and focus difficulties

As a speech/myofunctional therapist, I often look beyond speech sounds and consider the whole picture, including breathing, oral rest posture, sleep quality, and oral function.

While these signs don’t automatically mean there’s a problem, noticing patterns can be an important first step.

A myofunctional therapist and airway focused ENT (among other providers you may be referred to - tongue tie specialist, airway orthodontist, body worker, etc.) should be considered.

📌SAVE/REPOST this post for later and share it with a parent who may find it helpful!

🩷FOLLOW .slp for more speech and myofunctional therapy tips/info!

Do you ever feel like you’re saying “no” all day long?As a speech therapist, one of the most effective communication shi...
06/05/2026

Do you ever feel like you’re saying “no” all day long?

As a speech therapist, one of the most effective communication shifts I teach parents is this:

Don’t just tell children what NOT to do.
Tell them what TO do instead.

Many children aren’t ignoring directions because they’re being defiant. They’re still developing the language, self-regulation, and processing skills, etc.

Compare these:

❌ “No running!” → ✅ “Use walking feet.”

❌ “Stop yelling!” → ✅ “Use your indoor voice.”

❌ “Don’t grab!” → ✅ “Ask for a turn.”

Also, I’m not anti-”no”, just pro-teaching. These phrases help kids understand what to do, not just what to stop. When children hear a clear replacement behavior, they’re much more likely to understand what’s expected.

📌 REPOST/SAVE this post for the next time you find yourself saying “No!” for the 100th time today.

💬Which “No” do you say most often?

🩷FOLLOW .slp for more speech therapy tips/info!

Looking for a calm, screen-free activity for your child?Calming podcasts can be a wonderful addition to bedtime routines...
06/03/2026

Looking for a calm, screen-free activity for your child?

Calming podcasts can be a wonderful addition to bedtime routines, quiet time, car rides, transitions, or any moment your child needs a little extra support regulating their emotions.

Unlike screens, podcasts encourage active listening, imagination, language development, attention, and connection.

They can also support speech and language skills by exposing children to new vocabulary, strengthening auditory processing, and creating natural opportunities for conversation.

In this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite calming podcasts for kids, why they work so well, and simple speech and language strategies you can use while listening together.

📌 SAVE/REPOST this for later and share it with a parent, caregiver, or educator looking for screen-free activities for kids!

🩷 Follow .slp for pediatric speech therapy tips, language development information, play-based learning ideas, and parent resources.

“Say sorry.”Most of us heard this phrase growing up. But as a speech therapist, I don’t automatically force children to ...
06/01/2026

“Say sorry.”

Most of us heard this phrase growing up. But as a speech therapist, I don’t automatically force children to apologize.

Why? Because empathy isn’t built by repeating a word on command.

A meaningful apology requires a child to understand what happened, recognize how another person feels, and learn how to repair the situation. Those skills take time to develop.

Instead of focusing on getting the word “sorry,” I focus on teaching:
✔ Emotional awareness
✔ Perspective-taking
✔ Problem-solving
✔ Relationship repair

The goal isn’t teaching children to say “sorry.”

It’s helping them understand WHY they’re saying it.

💬Were you forced to say sorry as a child? Do you think it taught empathy?

📌REPOST/SHARE this with parents, teachers, therapists, who may find this useful!

🩷FOLLOW .slp for more speech therapy tips/info!

When your child is upset, saying “it’s okay” can sometimes feel dismissive, especially when they don’t feel okay. Instea...
05/30/2026

When your child is upset, saying “it’s okay” can sometimes feel dismissive, especially when they don’t feel okay.

Instead, validating their feelings can help them feel seen, heard, and supported.

By modeling simple language during big emotions, you’re helping your child build the communication skills they need to express themselves more effectively in the future.

Small shifts in what we say can make a big difference in connection, emotional regulation, and communication!

📌 REPOST/SHARE with a parent, caregiver, teacher, or therapist who may find this helpful!

♥️ FOLLOW .slp for more speech therapy tips, language development information, and parent education!

Not sure what speech and language milestones are typical for a 19–24 month old toddler? Here are some common speech, lan...
05/30/2026

Not sure what speech and language milestones are typical for a 19–24 month old toddler?

Here are some common speech, language, and communication milestones you may notice during everyday routines and play!

Remember: every child develops at their own pace, and milestones are meant to be a helpful guide, not a checklist for perfection.

Between 19–24 months, many toddlers are:
✨ Using more words consistently
✨ Following simple directions
✨ Pointing to body parts or familiar objects
✨ Combining 2 words together
✨ Imitating sounds, words, and actions
✨ Using gestures, signs, or words to communicate wants and needs

If your child isn’t meeting many of these milestones or communication feels difficult, reaching out to a speech-language pathologist can help provide support and guidance early on.

Early intervention can make a HUGE difference! 🩷

📌 SAVE/REPOST this post for later or share with a parent of a toddler.

🩷 FOLLOW .slp for toddler speech and language tips, milestones, and play-based strategies!

Telling kids to “just share” sounds simple, but sharing is about so much more than behavior. 💛From a speech therapist pe...
05/28/2026

Telling kids to “just share” sounds simple, but sharing is about so much more than behavior. 💛

From a speech therapist perspective, successful sharing involves:

✨ Language skills
✨ Emotional regulation
✨ Social communication
✨ Executive functioning
✨ Turn-taking and flexibility

Many children are still learning these skills, so instead of forcing sharing, we can model:

✔️ Functional communication
✔️ Waiting and turn-taking
✔️ Negotiation skills
✔️ Self-advocacy

Reminder that not every refusal is defiance. Sometimes it’s communication.

Helping children feel understood and supported builds stronger social communication skills over time.

📌REPOST/SHARE this with others who may find this helpful!

🩷FOLLOW .slp for more speech therapy tips/info!

Music is one of the easiest ways to support your child’s speech and language skills, no flashcards or prep needed! Simpl...
05/26/2026

Music is one of the easiest ways to support your child’s speech and language skills, no flashcards or prep needed!

Simple, repetitive songs help kids learn new words, imitate actions/sounds, build routines, and strengthen early communication skills.

If you’re singing WITH your child, you’re already supporting speech and language at home in a natural, playful way! 🩷

When choosing songs for speech and language, I look for:
• Songs with actions
• Songs with gestures
• Songs with repetition
• Fill-in-the-blank moments

Remember: YOUR voice is your child’s favorite learning tool!

💬 Does your child have a favorite song? Comment below!

📌 SAVE/REPOST this to support language skills for an easy screen free way during playtime, car rides, and daily routines.

🩷FOLLOW .slp for more speech therapy tips/info!

Did you know there are benefits to using specific praise instead of only saying “good job”?And I’m not shaming you, I’ve...
05/24/2026

Did you know there are benefits to using specific praise instead of only saying “good job”?

And I’m not shaming you, I’ve said, “good job” too! 😊 You do NOT have to stop using it altogether. But adding more specific feedback can make your praise even more meaningful and supportive for children.

Specific praise helps because it:
▪️Teaches children exactly what they did well
▪️Helps them understand what skills they’re using
▪️Supports learning and confidence
▪️Can improve understanding and carryover when given right after the behavior

As a speech-language pathologist, I also love this strategy because it naturally builds speech and language skills!

Specific praise models help teach:
🗣️ Nouns
🗣️ Verbs
🗣️ Follow directions
🗣️ Descriptive language

Instead of only saying:
➡️ “Good job!”

You can try:
✨ “You took a big bite!”
✨ “You worked so hard to zip your jacket.”
✨ “You used kind words with your friend.”
✨ “I noticed you kept trying even when it was tricky.”

I included a few everyday examples in this post to show simple ways to make praise more specific and helpful for kids. 💛

💬 What are some phrases you like to use with your child or students? Share below! 👇🏽

📌 REPOST & SHARE this with a parent, teacher, or therapist who may find it helpful!

💕 FOLLOW .slp for more speech, language, and child development tips.

We’ve all said it: “Use your words.”But children can’t use language they haven’t learned yet and accessing words is even...
05/22/2026

We’ve all said it: “Use your words.”

But children can’t use language they haven’t learned yet and accessing words is even harder when they’re overwhelmed and dysregulated!

Instead, try these:
• Model simple language
• Offer 2 easy choices
• Use gestures, visuals, or signs
• Connect first, then guide communication

When kids feel safe, supported, and understood, communication often comes more easily. 🩷

Less pressure.
More connection.
Stronger communication skills!

📌 REPOST/SHARE this with a parent, teacher, or therapist!

🩷FOLLOW .slp for toddler speech & language tips, play ideas, and communication strategies.

Address

Pasadena, CA

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13232095108

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Graceful Expression, Speech-Language Pathologist posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Graceful Expression, Speech-Language Pathologist:

Shortcuts

Share

Category