The Preschool SLP

If you love weaving books into speech and language therapy, this episode is absolutely your lane. In this conversation, Kelly breaks down a 2025 scoping review on early language development and reading aloud, then translates it into five practical literacy “hacks” you can use with preschool and early elementary students starting tomorrow. She pulls zero punches about the study design: you’ll hear...

Children who speak freely at home but shut down in public aren’t being stubborn. Their capacity is getting crushed by the demands of new people, new settings, and unpredictable routines. In this episode, we break down how to build capacity using the PRIDE approach—explicitly adapted for reluctant speakers and children with selective mutism. You’ll hear how to shift out of “thermostat mode” and int...

 If you serve young children with behavior challenges, this episode delivers a framework you can put to work immediately. Today, we break down the PRIDE skills: five evidence-based behavior strategies drawn from Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Teacher-Child Interaction Training (TCIT). These methods have more than 50 years of empirical support and consistently improve behavior, engagem...

If you treat speech sound disorders (SSD) and you’re not seeing the gains you expect, this episode is your playbook. We cut through the noise and name the 10 research-informed predictors of slower progress—attention/self-monitoring limits, sensitive temperament, co-occurring language/working-memory load, hearing impairment (fricatives/affricates), motor speech factors, structural constraints (e.g....

If you work with children with autism who are minimally speaking, this episode is a must-listen. We’re breaking down why the “Look at” sentence strip has been a total game-changer in my therapy room—and why it consistently helps children begin to speak, connect, and comment on the world around them. After 25 years of practice, I can tell you this tool does more than encourage speech—it builds neur...

Discover how a 2025 Nature autism study transforms early intervention in speech language pathology. Learn how family history, genetics, and executive function shape assessment, therapy planning, and lifelong communication outcomes. If you work with children with autism, this episode will change how you think about early intervention forever. A major 2025 study published in Nature titled Polygenic...

If you work with minimally speaking children or children with autism, this episode is a must-listen . Speech-language pathologist Kelly Vess takes on the five biggest myths about high-tech AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)—and backs every point with current peer-reviewed research. Learn why high-tech AAC devices:  ✅ Do not require self-regulation or joint attention first ✅ Are not...

If you work with children with speech sound disorders, this episode is a must-listen . We’re diving into cutting-edge research on final consonant clusters —a treatment target that has been largely overlooked but may unlock powerful generalization gains. For decades, evidence has shown that choosing complex targets leads to greater overall progress. Now, new research suggests that working on final...

If you work with preschool or early elementary students, this episode is a must-listen . We’re diving into decontextualized language —a skill that’s rarely discussed but critical for literacy and academic success . Decontextualized language is when children talk about things outside the here and now —past events, future plans, ideas, feelings, and abstract thinking. Why does it matter?  Research s...

Are you ready to go digital the right way in your therapy sessions? Today, we’re diving into the latest systematic review research on using digital tools to improve preschoolers’ language and literacy outcomes . The evidence is clear: digital media can be a powerful tool — when it’s used intentionally . In this episode, you’ll discover five key strategies that work, including: Why children should...

If you work with minimally speaking children using low-tech or high-tech AAC , this episode is for you. A brand-new systematic review just dropped — but the published research is sparse, messy, and often mislabeled. Today, we’ll dig through the “recycle bin” of studies to uncover what actually works , why commenting is more powerful than requesting , and how to take action on Monday morning . You’...

Is telepractice just as effective as in-person therapy for treating speech sound disorders? In this episode, we take a realistic, research-driven look at what the evidence really says about speech telepractice—and what factors determine whether it works. You’ll discover: The exact client profiles that are NOT a good fit for telepractice. The active ingredients that make telepractice sessions as ef...

Are your speech therapy goals actually creating change or just filling space on an IEP? In this episode, I share the three biggest mistakes I made in writing goals (and what to do instead). You’ll learn how to: Write measurable annual goals that track real growth. Use complex clusters and the complexity approach to accelerate progress. Show parents exactly how to cue, fade prompts, and buy-in to a...

If you work with children with speech sound disorders, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down my simple 3-step method for writing speech goals that not only improve clarity but also empower parents and the entire intervention team to stay on the same page. You’ll learn how to: Use your single word standardized speech tests to track progress with confidence Write easy to measure annual goals th...

Why isn't 'Mama' a first word for many children with Autism, yet it is for their neurotypical peers? There are four underlying physiological causes for this difference. Let's dive in to explore these four reasons why 'Mama' is not just naturally developing and what we need to do differently to encourage the development of this pivotally important word. Ready to work m...

How can speech-language pathologists determine whether a child’s communication challenges are due to a language difference or a language disorder —and then choose the most impactful language intervention strategies ? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin , one of the leading experts in culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse (CLED) populations. With over 70 sch...

Verbal cues may feel like the least intrusive form of prompting in speech therapy—but research and practice show they are actually the most restrictive . In this episode, I share three powerful reasons why verbal cues hold children back and why you need to fade them quickly:  ✅ How verbal cues undermine self-efficacy and independence  ✅ Why verbal cues take away valuable executive function pract...

Are you using the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) framework in your autism intervention? This episode of The Preschool SLP pulls back the curtain on Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) and challenges you to think critically about what’s truly supported by research—and what isn't. SLPs are increasingly encouraged to adopt GLP-informed interventions, but a recent article by Venker and Lorang (...

This week, Kelly shares a powerful, research-driven strategy that she developed—almost by accident—that has become a game-changer in her therapy room and for countless SIS members. 🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why traditional “plus one” language modeling often isn’t enough—and how to break free from the chisel-and-hammer approach. The story behind how a speech sound disorder bootcamp accident...

Are you using the Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) approach in your language assessments—or wondering if you should? In this episode of The Preschool SLP Podcast, we cut through the noise to break down what’s evidence-based, what’s not, and how to make informed, practical decisions starting Monday morning. Whether you're a speech-language pathologist or a parent of a child with autism, this...

We're combining two of the most highly requested topics—Gestalt Language Processing and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)—into one conversation with Farwa Husain of First Phrases. We're answering some key questions about AAC + Gestalt: What do we actually know about integrating gestalts with high-tech AAC systems? What’s missing in the research? How can SLPs move forward c...

Is the way you’re working… actually working? In this candid and empowering episode of The Preschool SLP , I sit down with the SLP Happy Hour host, Sarah Lockhart, to talk about what no one tells you in grad school: the path to sustainability as an SLP is rarely linear. Together, we unpack what it really takes to thrive in this field—from navigating burnout to rebuilding self-trust, shifting career...

If you work with or have a child with communication impairments, today's episode, dedicated to improving behavior, is a 'must-listen'. I’m pulling back the curtain and giving you access to two powerful tools straight from my SIS Membership that are helping SLPs across the country transform their therapy sessions—without burning out. Heat up your laminator and get ready for success. ...

Take your recovery as seriously as the work. In this episode, I share my five current favorite health hacks for achieving optimal health and well-being, both mentally and physically. P.S. Prevent burnout by becoming a SIS member and receiving educationally rich, ready-for-use materials in your inbox weekly. Don't delay and join the SIS Membership today at kellyvess.com/sis

Over 20 years ago, I moved from the "I want" sentence strip to the "Look at" one in working with children with Autism. Why? This episode explores the advantages of using a "Look at" sentence strip over an "I want" sentence strip to optimize gains in the development of communication skills in children with autism in both the short and long term. Ready to take...