More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child

What does it mean when a child can hear perfectly well, but still struggles to follow directions, process spoken language, or learn in noisy environments? In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, host Tristen sits down with speech-language pathologists Kim Hiday and Rachel Saulle from McLean Speech & Language to unpack auditory processing challenges in children and adults....

What if school didn’t have to look the way we’ve always imagined it? In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, Tristen sits down with Joe Casamassima of Fusion Academy to explore the one-to-one school model and how it redefines what learning can look like for students. From personalized pacing to built-in social opportunities, Joe shares how this approach allows educators to tr...

Parents today are doing more than ever to support their children, but what happens when all that support starts to feel like too much? In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, Tristen sits down with Casey Pina from Fusion Academy Alexandria to explore a powerful and often overlooked concept: capacity. While many families focus on schedules, structure, and achievement, Casey ex...

Starting a conversation with your child’s school can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure how your concerns will be received. In this episode, we talk with Meg Shah about how parents can approach school communication in a way that builds trust, clarity, and true collaboration from the very beginning. Meg shares practical strategies and real-life language parents can use to communicate...

When parents are overwhelmed, stressed, or running on empty, it does not just affect them. It impacts the entire family dynamic. In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, we sit down with therapist Stephanie Kaiser to talk about a topic that often gets overlooked: parent mental health. Instead of focusing only on strategies for children, this conversation shifts the lens back t...

In this episode of More Than Words, we take a closer look at what actually happens during an AAC evaluation and why it is much more than choosing a device. Speech-language pathologist Carleton Levert walks us through the full process, from initial referrals and case review to device trials, observations, and recommendations. We also explore what makes AAC successful in real life, including team co...

Psychoeducational evaluations can sound intimidating for families, but they are designed to do something very important: help us understand how a child learns. In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, host Tristen speaks with licensed school psychologist Megan Davis about what psychoeducational evaluations really are and how they help uncover the strengths and challenges that...

What if supporting speech and language started with the body? In this episode, Tristen is joined by speech-language pathologist and yoga teacher Jennifer Schmid to explore how movement, breath, and regulation can directly support communication. Together, they unpack why a calm, organized body creates better conditions for speech and language learning, how yoga-informed strategies can fit naturally...

Why does it feel like kids forget instructions the moment they hear them? In this episode of More Than Words, host Tristen is joined by licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Erika Madison to unpack how executive function plays a critical role in memory. Rather than being a true “memory problem,” many everyday struggles with forgetting directions, losing materials, or blanking on tests are rooted in h...

Designing AAC Supports With Students In this episode of More Than Words, we sit down with Madison Brumbaugh, M.S., CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist and clinical assistant professor at The George Washington University whose work focuses on supporting individuals with complex communication needs. Madison has experience serving clients across the lifespan and working in public schools, private...

Oral health is about so much more than cavities. In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, Tristen sits down with Dr. Sheyda Maghsoudi, board-certified pediatric dentist and founder of Lansdowne Pediatric Dentistry, to explore how oral structure, airway health, and daily habits influence speech, feeding, sleep, behavior, and learning. Dr. Maghsoudi explains how tongue position,...

Episode Summary In this powerful episode, we’re unpacking what Speech-Language Pathologists really know, and wish they knew, about dyslexia. After interviewing dozens of SLPs and graduate students at the 2024 ASHA Convention, we discovered clear themes: misinformation, missing training, personal stories of struggle and resilience, and a deep desire for better tools to support dyslexic learners. Jo...

In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, Tristen sits down with Karyn Ewart, licensed clinical psychologist and Founder of The Sycamore School, for a rich conversation about what it really takes to raise independent, resilient learners. Drawing from decades of experience as a school psychologist, therapist, clinical director, and head of school, Karyn unpacks the habits, minds...

In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, Tristen sits down with Dr. Elizabeth (Lisa) Bennett, clinical psychologist at MindWell Psychology, to explore why many children with ADHD thrive when their days include intentional structure, movement, and supportive scheduling. Dr. Bennett explains ADHD in accessible language—describing executive function as the brain’s “manager” and u...

In this episode of More Than Words, Tristen sits down with Kellie Boyle, LPC, founder of Reprocess Therapy, to talk about two powerful, brain-based therapies: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Brainspotting. Kellie explains how both methods help children with learning challenges, ADHD, or anxiety quiet the “negative noise,” process early experiences, and build more confident...

In this episode of More Than Words, host Tristen talks with Susan Danker, co-owner of the Reading and Language Learning Center (RLLC) and co-creator of the Sounds2Print™ Reading Program, which was recently accredited by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). Susan shares why dyslexia is fundamentally a language-based learning difference, not just a reading issue and how a strong foundation...

In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, host Tristen Davenport speaks with Dr. Lauren Buford, President and CEO of The KCB Play Institute in West Springfield, VA. Dr. Buford is an expert in helping neurodivergent children — especially those with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) — develop communication skills that empower them in everyday life. What You’ll Learn in This Episode...

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) , Brendan Danker, about the essential topic of Building Mental Toughness in Athletics and beyond. We discuss the significance of mental toughness for young athletes and explore effective training methods to enhance it. Brendan shares insights on fostering sport confidence, overcoming self-doubt, managing nerves du...

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Dr. Leslie Hawkins about ADHD & Dyslexia. Dr. Hawkins is a licensed clinical psychologist in Chantilly, Virginia. She specializes in evaluating and assessing educational/learning difficulties (e.g., dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia), ADHD and executive functioning, and cognitive impairment, as well as psychological and neuropsychological difficulties. Toda...

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Dr. Samantha Sweeney about Parenting an Anxious Child. Dr. Sweeney is a licensed psychologist in the DC Metro Area. She works with students of all ages at her practice Family Psychological Services of Capitol Hill. Today we will answer these questions: What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety in children? Does it differ based on age? Can anxiety be triggered...

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Daniela Feldhausen about what happens after a dyslexia diagnosis. Daniela is a reading specialist who owns Kids Up Reading Coaches, a practice of reading and dyslexia tutors. The practice is entirely virtual, meaning students from anywhere can receive their services. Today we will answer these questions: What is dyslexia?  What is the best treatment? What shoul...

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Toni Walters about Shared Reading. Toni is a Speech-Language Pathologist in the DMV area. She is an assistant professor at the University of DC in their Speech-Language Pathology program. Today we will answer these questions:   What is shared reading? Is this done in the home or in the classroom?  Is this done individually or in a group setting?  How does a tea...

In today’s episode, we’re talking to John Thomas about Cultivating a positive mindset for going back to school. Mr. Thomas is a former classroom teacher in the northern Virginia area. He specializes in creating positive and fun learning environments to build students up and help them achieve their best potential. John is now a tutor in the area helping students work through their mindset toward sc...

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Irene Ilachinski about ADHD in Mothers. Irene is a licensed clinical social worker in the Northern Virginia area. She specializes in treating adults with PTSD and High-functioning women with ADHD. Her practice is called Open Bridges Counseling and it’s located in Fairfax, VA. Today we will answer these questions:   What signs do mothers see that lead them to be...

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Dr. James Siddall about How Schools Identify And Support Students With Dyslexia. Dr. Siddall is a licensed school psychologist in Northern Virginia. He owns his own practice where he offers psychoeducational services to students of all ages. Today we will answer these questions:   Can you tell us what happens before a student begins the identification process?...