Speech therapy plays a pivotal role in supporting the communication needs of children with autism. Children on the autism spectrum often face challenges in areas like language development, social interaction, and non-verbal communication. By focusing on these areas, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) help children build essential skills that improve their quality of life. In this blog post, we’ll explore how speech therapy can benefit children with autism and what parents can expect from this type of intervention.

As parents, watching your child grow and develop is an amazing journey. During the preschool years in particular, children experience significant advancements in fine motor skills, sensory processing, language, and articulation. Recognizing these milestones can help you support your child's development and identify any areas that may need attention. Here, we'll outline key milestones in each area to help you better understand and support your preschooler's growth.

It’s no secret that feeding is one of the most crucial aspects of your baby’s development. Feeding your baby is not just about providing nutrition; it's also an opportunity to foster bonding, support motor skill development, and introduce your little one to a variety of tastes and textures. A strong foundation in feeding and oral-motor skills will set your baby up for a lifetime of healthy habits and adventurous eating.

Believe it or not, newborn babies are already working on building foundational cognition, motor, sensory and language skills that will help them talk, walk, and interact with the world around them! Toys for babies in the first year of life should encourage tummy time, social awareness, stacking, object permanence, spatial relations, use both sides of the brain, and promote overall speech, language, motor, sensory, cognitive, and memory development.

As a speech-language pathologist and soon-to-be first-time mom, I’m thrilled to kick off a new blog series from Garden State Speech Therapy on must-haves and helpful toys, books, activities, and supplies that supports your infant’s development.

Early childhood is an important period of growth and learning that lays a foundation for your child’s future success! When we refer to early childhood development, we are talking about the physical, cognitive, linguistic, emotional, and social milestones that occur from birth to when a child is around eight years old. Development during this time is complex and encompasses numerous milestones and stages, each playing a vital role in shaping a child's abilities and behaviors.

At Garden State Speech Therapy, we understand that mealtime struggles can be a huge source of stress for both children and parents. That’s why we are passionate about making feeding therapy as enjoyable and effective as possible! By incorporating fun and engaging tools and materials into mealtimes, picky eaters can turn into confident food explorers. We’ve listed some of our favorite tools and materials to make mealtimes fun and for kids and parents!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and at Garden State Speech Therapy, we are excited to share ideas on how to help children of all abilities feel included, celebrated, and loved on this special day! From speech and language tips to sensory-rich crafts, our goal is to ensure that every child can actively participate and enjoy the Valentine's Day festivities.