If your child has been diagnosed with dyspraxia, it’s natural to feel both concerned and eager to help. Your involvement as a parent plays a powerful role in your child’s development—especially when it comes to communication skills. The good news is, there are several practical and engaging ways you can support your child’s speech progress right from home.

Encourage Communication in Positive Ways

Children with dyspraxia often understand much more than they can express. Because of this gap, they may resort to pointing, tantrums, or physical outbursts out of frustration. As a parent, it's important to gently guide them toward using words instead. Here’s how:

• Use Visual Aids: Create picture boards with images representing common wants and needs. This visual support helps bridge the communication gap.

• Try Augmentative Communication Devices: These are portable picture boards or devices that speak when images are tapped. They provide immediate feedback and promote language development.

• Learn Sign Language Together: Contrary to popular belief, learning signs won’t delay speech—it can actually support it. Sign language gives your child a tool to express themselves while working on spoken words.

• Encourage Speech Attempts: Don’t give in to pointing or screaming. Prompt your child to say the word (or a close approximation), then respond with praise and meet their request. Consistency reinforces their effort to communicate verbally.

Make Learning Interactive and Fun

Integrating speech practice into daily activities makes the experience enjoyable and stress-free for your child.

1. Daily Letter Practice

Dedicate each day to a new letter. Throughout the day, point out objects that begin with that letter and encourage your child to say the word. This turns everyday routines into playful learning opportunities.

2. Speech Notebooks

Create a special notebook with your child. Cut out pictures from magazines that show items your child can already say, then glue them into the notebook. Use this as a custom “word book” for practice and gradually introduce new sounds as they progress.

3. Repetition Through Storytime

Children love predictable, repetitive books—and they’re a great tool for speech development. Choose books with repeating words or sounds your child is working on. For example, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is great for practicing the /ch/ sound. Repeat favorite books often, and celebrate every attempt your child makes.

4. Use Games to Motivate Speech

Games are a natural way to get your child talking. During board games, have them say how many spaces to move or describe what’s happening. For a creative twist, use their picture board in a game of bingo—your child can name each image before placing a marker on it. This builds confidence and vocabulary in a pressure-free environment.

Helping your child with dyspraxia doesn’t require elaborate tools or expensive resources. Small, consistent efforts at home can make a meaningful difference in their communication journey. The key is to make speech practice part of your everyday life—through play, reading, and meaningful interaction.

For additional ideas, personalized strategies, or professional support, reach out to the team at The Speech and Occupational Therapy Center of North Texas. We’re here to help your child grow with confidence, one word at a time.

July 01, 2025

 Becoming a parent changes everything. From your baby’s first smile to their first steps, every milestone is filled with joy, excitement—and sometimes questions. One of the most important areas of early development is speech and language. Helping your little one build communication skills starts earlier than you might think—and your role is more important than ever.

Here’s what every parent should know to support their child’s speech and language development in those critical early years. 👶🗣️

Why Early Speech & Language Development Matters

Speech and language are the foundation for learning, relationships, and future success. But they aren’t just about talking—they help with:
✅ Expressing needs and emotions
✅ Building relationships
✅ Learning new concepts
✅ Boosting confidence

Speech focuses on the physical ability to produce sounds and words, while language is about understanding and expressing ideas—whether through words, gestures, or pictures.

Key Speech & Language Milestones for Infants and Toddlers

Every child develops at their own pace, but here are general milestones to watch for:

0–3 Months

• Cooing, gooing, and early sounds (like /p/, /b/, /m/)
  
  

• Reacting to loud sounds
  
  

• Different cries for hunger, discomfort, or tiredness
  
  

4–6 Months

• Babbling with more variety
  
  

• Eye contact and vocal play
  
  

• Responding to voices
  
  

7–12 Months

• Reduplicated babbling (“ba-ba,” “ma-ma”)
  
  

• Imitating sounds and actions
  
  

• Recognizing familiar words like their name
  
  

• First meaningful words (“mama,” “dada,” “bye-bye”)
  
  

12–24 Months

• Using 3 to 20 words by 18 months
  
  

• Simple two-word phrases (“all gone,” “more juice”)
  
  

• Following simple directions
  
  

• Vocabulary boom around 18–24 months (up to 50 words expressed, 300+ understood)
  
  

24–36 Months

• 200+ words spoken, 500+ words understood
  
  

• Short phrases and basic sentences
  
  

• Asking questions (“Daddy go?”)
  
  

• Identifying objects and actions
  
  

Tips to Encourage Speech & Language Development

The best way to help your child? Quality interactions every single day. Here are simple strategies that work:

🗣️ Talk and Listen

• Narrate your day: “We’re washing hands.”
  
  

• Respond to your child’s sounds or words—even if unclear
  
  

• Expand on what they say: “Bubu?” “Yes, big bubble!”
  
  

📚 Read Together

• Label characters, actions, and feelings
  
  

• Use fun voices and sounds
  
  

• Keep books accessible for independent exploration
  
  

🎶 Sing, Play, and Explore

• Sing songs with hand motions
  
  

• Play with blocks, dolls, or pretend food while labeling items
  
  

• Encourage pointing, waving, clapping, and imitation
  
  

🤗 Follow Their Lead

• Engage with what interests your child
  
  

• Use their favorite toys to promote communication
  
  

• Model simple words and phrases during play
  
  

🚫 Limit Technology

• Avoid passive screen time for children under 2
  
  

• Focus on face-to-face interactions
  
  

• Use technology only for shared, interactive experiences
  
  

💡 Structure the Environment

• Have routines and familiar activities
  
  

• Place favorite toys just out of reach to encourage requesting
  
  

• Provide choices: “Do you want the ball or the car?”
  
  

What if You Have Concerns?

If your child isn’t meeting speech and language milestones or you notice delays, early intervention is key. Talk to your pediatrician, and consider a speech-language evaluation. Early support can make a huge difference in communication skills and confidence.

At Speech & Occupational Therapy of North Texas, we provide:
✔️ Full speech and language evaluations
✔️ Parent coaching and hands-on strategies
✔️ Play-based, personalized therapy

Most evaluations are covered by insurance.

We’re Here to Help Your Child Thrive

Worried about your child’s speech or language? Let’s work together to support their development.

📍 Visit us in Plano, Texas
📞 Call today: 972-424-0148

Together, we can help your little one find their voice—and set them up for success! 💙

July 01, 2025

 As a parent, you’ve probably had moments of relief when your picky eater finally finds a food they love. But what happens when your child insists on eating that one food—prepared the same way—at every meal?

What Is Food Jagging?

Food jagging occurs when a child wants to eat the same food, prepared the same way, over and over—sometimes at every single meal. While it may seem like a minor phase or even a relief at first (“At least they’re eating!”), food jagging can lead to long-term eating challenges.

Over time, children often grow tired of the food they’ve been jagging on. Once that happens, they may eliminate it entirely from their diet, leaving their food choices even more limited.

Food Jagging vs. Picky Eating

It’s easy to confuse food jagging with picky eating, but the two aren’t quite the same:

• Picky eaters may reject certain foods temporarily but usually cycle them back into their diet after a few weeks.

• Food jaggers, however, may drop foods permanently once they tire of them, shrinking their overall food repertoire.

According to the Sequential-Oral-Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding by Dr. Kay Toomey, children should ideally have at least 30 different foods they eat regularly across meals and snacks. This diversity is crucial for balanced nutrition and healthy development.

Who’s at Risk?

Any child can fall into a pattern of food jagging, but certain groups are at higher risk:

• Children with feeding difficulties

• Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), especially those with sensory sensitivities

Kids on the spectrum may jag on foods because they crave predictability—same taste, same texture, even the same packaging. It’s a way to reduce sensory stress during mealtime.

What Can Parents Do?

If you notice your child falling into a food jag, there are practical strategies you can implement at home:

1. Introduce Variety Early and Often

Make it a habit to offer a variety of foods across meals. As tempting as it is to fall back on familiar snacks, mix it up with different options. Even small changes can help broaden your child’s palate.

2. Engage Them in the Process

Take your child grocery shopping. Let them help prep meals. These low-pressure exposures can make unfamiliar foods feel more approachable and less intimidating.

3. Use Subtle Food Tweaks

If your child is already jagging, start by selecting the least nutritious food they’re stuck on. Then make slight, gradual changes to it:

• Shape: Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes out of sandwiches or pancakes.

• Color: Add food coloring or pick prepackaged foods in different shades.

• Flavor: Introduce new sauces, spices, or toppings slowly.

• Texture and Temperature: These changes come last, as they’re hardest for most kids to handle.

Pro tip: Only change one element at a time, and do so over multiple exposures. Consistency is key.

If your child rejects the change or becomes distressed, it’s a sign you’ve moved too fast.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your child is eliminating multiple foods and your efforts to reintroduce variety aren’t working, consider consulting a feeding therapist. Professional support can make a huge difference—especially for children with sensory challenges or developmental delays.

At Speech & Occupational Therapy of North Texas, our trained speech-language pathologists specialize in feeding therapy. We offer services at both our Frisco and East Plano (Murphy) locations. Many families find that therapy is covered by insurance, making it an accessible option for support.

📞 Call us at 972-424-0148 to learn more or schedule a consultation.

Food jagging isn’t just a phase—it’s a red flag that a child’s eating habits may be narrowing in a way that affects their long-term nutrition. The good news? With mindful strategies and the right support, your child can learn to accept new foods and enjoy a healthier, more varied diet.

June 02, 2025