Graphic with silhouette and colorful circles, text "Pathways to Communication: Our Weekly Community Blog" on multicolored background.
Where My Therapist Self Meets My Mom Self
Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP

Where My Therapist Self Meets My Mom Self

The truth is, the “therapist me” and the “mom me” are both trying to do the same thing — help a child feel understood, safe, supported and capable. But one of them gets to observe from a calm, supportive distance, and the other is right in the messy middle of it.

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Avoiding the Power Struggle
Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP

Avoiding the Power Struggle

As both a mom and a speech-language pathologist, I’ve been there so many times. I am not proud to admit that even this morning I ended up in a back-and-forth tornado of emotions with my four-year-old over carrying her backpack to the car.

The truth is, young kids are wired to seek control and independence. Power struggles are their way of saying, “I want a say in this, too.” I started to beat myself up about this interaction and now I’m writing a blog about it with the intention of learning, teaching, and doing better next time around (because we all know, we will be right back there again soon).

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CO-WRITTEN BY CHATGPT
Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP

CO-WRITTEN BY CHATGPT

ChatGPT isn’t writing for me—it is writing with me. It’s helping me communicate more effectively in my writing. In the same way, the strategies we use in therapy aren’t doing the work for our clients, they are giving them the tools to succeed on their own.

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When Should I Be Concerned?
The Speech & Language Center The Speech & Language Center

When Should I Be Concerned?

At The Speech & Language Center, we help families every day who are asking the same questions. Here’s what you need to know about speech sound development—and when it might be time to check in with a speech-language pathologist.

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Speech Therapy & Insurance: What You Need to Know About Reimbursement
The Speech & Language Center The Speech & Language Center

Speech Therapy & Insurance: What You Need to Know About Reimbursement

We’re a small, therapist-run practice focused on individualized care. By staying out-of-network, we’re able to provide flexible, high-quality services tailored to each client’s unique needs—without jumping through insurance red tape or limiting your access to the care your child deserves.

That said, we highly recommend that families look into reimbursement options. You pay for those benefits—why not use them?

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Speech & Language Games We Love to Play on Trips
The Speech & Language Center The Speech & Language Center

Speech & Language Games We Love to Play on Trips

Whether you're headed to the beach, the mountains, or Grandma’s house, these simple games make car time and travel meaningful—and fun. Safe travels and have fun connecting with each other!

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Why Your Child’s Speech Sounds Are Still Developing—And When to Be Concerned
The Speech & Language Center The Speech & Language Center

Why Your Child’s Speech Sounds Are Still Developing—And When to Be Concerned

Understanding speech sound development and when to seek help

It can be both adorable and concerning when a child says “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” or “pane” instead of “plane.” As a parent, it’s natural to wonder: Is this just part of normal development—or something we should address with speech therapy?

The truth is that speech sound development is a gradual process—and some mispronunciations are completely age-appropriate.

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Spring Break Survival
Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP

Spring Break Survival

If you’re like me, you start the week with visions of nature walks, crafts, and baking projects… and quickly find yourself negotiating screen time limits while Googling “free indoor activities near me.”

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Why Babble & Books?
Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP

Why Babble & Books?

These sessions are designed for kids ages 1–4, and every detail—from the books we choose to the sounds we explore—is meant to support early speech and language development in a fun, natural way.

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Why does everyone love speech?
The Speech & Language Center The Speech & Language Center

Why does everyone love speech?

When people hear "speech therapy," they might picture flashcards and repetitive drills. But in reality, speech therapy is interactive, engaging, and fun! At The Speech & Language Center, we believe that learning only happens when kids (and adults) are motivated, engaged, and enjoying the process.

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Rethinking ‘Normal’: Am I weird? Yes, probably.
Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP

Rethinking ‘Normal’: Am I weird? Yes, probably.

As a speech-language pathologist — and someone who thinks a little differently myself — I've come to appreciate just how beautifully unique our brains can be.

At The Speech & Language Center, we celebrate those differences by meeting each person where they are and building on their strengths. Whether or not someone has a diagnosis, we believe everyone deserves support that honors how they think, learn, and connect.

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Gliding: What is it and how to target it?
The Speech & Language Center The Speech & Language Center

Gliding: What is it and how to target it?

One common phonological process we see is called gliding—when a child replaces the /l/ or /r/ sounds with /w/ or /y/ (e.g., saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit”). While gliding is typical in younger children, if it persists past the expected age, it can impact speech intelligibility and affect a child’s self-confidence.

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Music in Speech Therapy
The Speech & Language Center The Speech & Language Center

Music in Speech Therapy

The interplay between music and speech therapy underscores the adaptability of the human brain. By harnessing the power of music, therapists can stimulate neural pathways critical for communication, memory, and social interaction.

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The Power of Pausing [for Yourself]
Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP

The Power of Pausing [for Yourself]

In our last blog, we focused on the power of pausing for others—creating space for children, clients, and loved ones. We don’t want to discount or forget about the importance of pausing for ourselves. Taking intentional moments for self-care is just as vital.

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Powerful Pauses
Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP Christina Hamill MA, CCC-SLP

Powerful Pauses

Discover the transformative power of pausing for parents and clinicians. Learn how this simple yet effective tool fosters connection, builds independence, and encourages reflection, especially during the reflective winter season.

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