The Preschool SLP

Is there real evidence against the complexity approach in treating speech sound disorders—or is it all smoke and mirrors? In this episode, I critically review one of the most highly cited (but deeply flawed) studies used to argue against the complexity approach. We’ll break down: Why the study’s design set children up for “mission impossible” goals How it misrepresented the complexity approach by...

Is there real evidence against the complexity approach in treating speech sound disorders—or is it all smoke and mirrors? In this episode, I critically review one of the most highly cited (but deeply flawed) studies used to argue against the complexity approach. We’ll break down: Why the study’s design set children up for “mission impossible” goals How it misrepresented the complexity approach by...

Children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) face a steep mountain of challenges—from academic struggles to social-emotional risks and long-term vocational outcomes. Research shows they are six times more likely to struggle with reading, spelling, and anxiety, and even more likely to face unemployment and mental health issues as adults. In this episode, we explore the four skills every SLP...

If you use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), you don’t want to miss this one. In today’s episode, we dive into why LAMP’s 84-core symbol board is so powerful —and why consistency across AAC interventions creates change. We’ll break down six ways consistency drives communication growth, including errorless learning, motor automaticity, independence from adult prompting, and flexible...

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is one of the most widely used AAC systems for children with autism and other communication needs. But is it always the right fit? In this episode, we break down the strengths and weaknesses of PECS, from its affordability and research-backed increase in spontaneous requesting to its high training costs, commenting delays, and complex motor demands....

Pulled in many directions? In-person, teletherapy, classroom, home setting-all in a single day?    In this episode, I show how to keep it simple. To sign up for my 2-Hour May 15th workshop "Keep it Real in a Digital World," check it out at www.kellyvess.com today.   

What makes Google Slides a game-changer in speech and language therapy? In this episode, I share the top 3 reasons why every SLP should be using them: ✅ Access authentic images and sounds from around the world  ✅ Use multimodal supports (visual, print, audio) to boost comprehension  ✅ Send interactive slides home for real parent–child practice This isn’t about cartoons or overstimulating videos...

What happens when you choose spray instead of splash as your treatment target? In this episode, I share brand-new research with preschoolers showing how targeting later-developing, more complex clusters can lead to greater overall speech gains . Find out why spray produced a 52% improvement in consonant accuracy compared to only 28% with splash , and how R and L gains follow the complexity effect....

Standardized single word speech tests—are they a yay or a nay ? In this episode, we dig into the reliability and validity of tools like the GFTA-3 and the CAAP-2, and why the same child can “pass” one and “fail” the other. You’ll hear the latest research from JSLHR and Harvard on when single word tests help (and when they mislead), plus how to balance quantity of errors with the quality of errors...

What’s the single most important literacy skill for kindergartners? Blending. Research shows blending is the most reliable predictor of later reading success. But here’s the catch—kids with communication impairments often struggle with executive function, making blending much harder. In this episode, I break down three areas of executive function— inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive...

Not all speech sound errors are created equal. In this episode, I break down the five errors on speech sound disorder tests that predict greater risk for language and literacy difficulties . From deletions and inconsistency to atypical errors and polysyllabic breakdowns, you’ll learn which red flags demand closer attention. 👉 Want to improve speech clarity while building stronger language and lit...

Being a speech-language pathologist is like being an Olympic athlete. Every session demands your full focus, emotional presence, and energy. In this episode, I share the five supplements that help me stay sharp, sustain energy, and prevent burnout—because recovery is as essential as the work itself. 👉 Want tools that support your focus and improve speech clarity in therapy? Join the SIS Membershi...

L-Blends are recommended by experts as being powerful treatment targets. But are they? This episode suggests that we can and should do better. For the step-by-step on how to select powerful treatment targets in treating speech sound disorders, check out Kelly's book " Speech Sound Disorders: Comprehensive Evaluation and Treatment ."

What’s the single biggest mistake SLPs make in treating Childhood Apraxia of Speech? Choosing treatment targets that are way too simple. Speech is not an isolated sound. It’s a continuous, complex motor act—and if we spend precious therapy time chipping away one sound at a time, we waste the critical window of neuroplasticity. In this episode, I break down why aiming high with complex clusters lea...

Books are not tests—they’re toys. When we stop quizzing kids with “what color” and “who’s that” questions, and instead invite them into higher-level, inferential thinking, we transform storytime into a powerful tool for language, literacy, and executive function. In this episode, I walk you through the 4 P’s of storybook talk —Predict, Pretend, Project, and Problem-Solve—and show you how these str...

Stop quizzing. Start thinking. Today we break down extra-textual talk —the rich, beyond-the-page conversations that supercharge comprehension and language. You’ll learn why literal, closed-ended prompts (“Who? What? Where?”) cap growth—and how to replace them with inferential, open-ended dialogue using my 4 E’s : Explain – “Why is this happening?” Experience – “When have you had something like thi...

What if one simple change could make you more productive, less stressed, and better able to focus on what matters most? In this episode, recorded right after my keynote in Fort Worth, I’m sharing my secret productivity hack: time boxing . Time boxing means treating your most important tasks like real meetings on your calendar. No more multitasking, no more scattered energy—just clear focus and con...

ADHD is often seen as a challenge—but what if it’s actually a clinical advantage? In this episode, I share six ADHD “superpowers” that have made me a stronger speech-language pathologist and researcher. From divergent thinking to resilience, these traits allow SLPs to see the whole child, advocate with courage, and energize therapy in powerful ways. If you’ve ever felt that your ADHD (or your stud...

In this episode of the Preschool SLP Podcast, Kelly Vess takes a deep dive into Marge Blanc’s Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) framework for children with autism. You’ll explore the six stages of gestalt language development, what they reveal about a child’s journey from echolalia to self-generated speech, and the strengths and weaknesses of using this approach for assessment.  Kelly also shares...

When it comes to assessing preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder, language samples are one of the most powerful tools we have . But if we’re not careful, our methods can lead to unreliable or misleading data. To truly capture a child’s authentic communication, we need to take a neurodiverse approach — one that matches how children with autism learn and use language. In this episode of the Pre...

Gestalt language isn’t something to apologize for — it’s something to celebrate. For children with autism spectrum disorder, gestalt speech is a powerful first step in learning language . Just like memorizing the ABC song, children memorize bundled phrases before they can break them apart and use them generatively. In this episode of the Preschool SLP Podcast , Kelly Vess unpacks why gestalt langu...

Are you talking more or showing more in your therapy sessions? If you’re doing most of the talking, you may be missing one of the most powerful strategies for creating real, lasting change. In this episode of the Preschool SLP Podcast , Kelly Vess introduces temporal cueing — the use of gestures and movement in space to support communication. Temporal cueing bridges the gap for children with audit...

One of the biggest challenges in speech therapy isn’t just making progress — it’s preventing regression when therapy time is inconsistent, attendance drops, or outside factors cut into your sessions. The truth is, children can lose hard-won skills quickly if we don’t structure therapy to be efficient, challenging, and resilient. In this episode of the Preschool SLP Podcast , Kelly Vess shares how...

If you work with preschoolers on the autism spectrum, you’ve probably felt the pressure of an endless list of therapy targets. The reality? You don’t have unlimited time, and neither do your students. That’s why it’s essential to focus on the single most pivotal skill that drives long-term outcomes: commenting . In this episode of the Preschool SLP Podcast , Kelly Vess unpacks why commenting — bot...