Finding the Words: A Roadmap to Your Child’s Voice

The Frustration of Being Unheard

There is nothing more difficult for a child—or a parent—than the frustration of a communication breakdown. When a child has so much to share but struggles with the physical coordination to say the words, it can lead to deep frustration for everyone involved. At 1,2,3 Speak to ME!, I believe that communication should never be "on hold" while a child is learning the motor skills to talk.

My Approach: Bridge the Gap I focus on giving your child a voice today so they can gain the confidence they need for tomorrow. This is why I use a combination of tools tailored to each child:

• Giving a Voice Now: We use low-tech tools like picture boards and gestures, or high-tech AAC apps, to give your child an immediate way to tell you what they need, think, and feel. This "right now" voice is a bridge, not a replacement.

• Building the Verbal Voice: While your child is successfully communicating with these tools, we are simultaneously doing the hard work of building verbal speech. I use specialized, motor-based techniques like DTTC and P.R.O.M.P.T. to physically guide and strengthen the coordination your child needs for spoken words.

Why Success Matters Today When a child realizes they can be understood, their world opens up. That success and reduced frustration actually make them more motivated to keep working on their verbal sounds. My goal in our Reisterstown office is to ensure your child feels the power of their own voice in every way possible.