core words – Speech in The City

SPEECH ➤ May 19, 2020

An Idea for Emergent Speakers using a Predictable Line Method

We have all heard that reading is essential for little ones growth! Observing others is 80% of how learning occurs, that means the more you model language during reading, the better! Often parents of late...

AAC ➤ May 19, 2020

Symbol Use and Transitioning CVI Stages

This little one is transitioning through CVI stages. ⁣⁣We are moving out of tangible and concrete items and onto a screen. The first step in doing this is providing a voice output underneath the item....

LANGUAGE ➤ April 26, 2020

Using Predictable Lines and Repeated Lines for Emerging Communicators

Two effective literacy strategies for emerging communication are the repeated line and predictable line method. Repeated lines are found in many children’s songs and children’s books. A repeated line is a line or phrase that...

AAC ➤ January 3, 2020

The Best Practice For Teaching Vocabulary

Best practice for teaching new vocabulary is…⁣⁣⁣⁣80% core AND 20% fringe vocabulary according to research by Bean A., Cargill L., & Lyle S. (2019).⁣⁣⁣I had a big “aha” movement in March wherein I realized one of...

AAC ➤ November 5, 2019

Selecting Core Words

Core words are a systematic way to teach and use single messages by combining either one or a string of them to form either single word phrases or expansive multi-word sentences. A core vocabulary varies...

AAC ➤ January 16, 2019

Aided Language Stimulation

Modeling & Aided Language Stimulation in the AAC World Aided Language Stimulation, along is a way to support an AAC user and encourage them to use their new device. Aided Language Stimulation allows the user...

LANGUAGE ➤ August 26, 2025

Speech Therapy Activities Parents Can Do at Home in 10 Minutes a Day

To support your child's language development, focus on incorporating a few simple, effective strategies into your daily routine. By using these Speech Therapy Activities Parents Can Do at Home in 10 Minutes a Day, you can make a significant impact. First, make reading time interactive with repeated-line books like "Brown Bear, Brown Bear." Use different voices and pause to let your child fill in the blanks, which helps build their vocabulary and memory. Second, get down to your child's eye level to talk. Holding objects at your eye level encourages them to watch your mouth, which helps them learn how to form words. Third, respond to every sound your child makes—coos, babbles, or even grunts. Attribute meaning to their sounds and "serve it back" by turning their sounds into full sentences. Finally, use simple gestures while you talk to your child to give them a way to communicate before they have words, and consider creating a quiet play space, like a tent, for them to feel safe and calm.

SPEECH ➤ August 22, 2025

Articulation vs. Language Delay: How to Tell the Difference

A parent’s excitement to hear their child’s first words can quickly turn to concern if those words are hard to understand. As children grow, their communication skills develop at different paces, and it can be...

AAC ➤ July 22, 2025

The Power of “Let’s”: Unlocking Communication for Gestalt Language Processors

As parents and speech-language pathologists, we’re constantly searching for ways to unlock communication for our children, especially those who learn language in unique ways. If you have a child who is a Gestalt Language Processor...