The Preschool SLP: KellyVessSLP

If you serve young children with behavior challenges, this episode delivers a framework you can put to work immediately. Today, we break down the PRIDE skills: five evidence-based behavior strategies drawn from Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Teacher-Child Interaction Training (TCIT). These methods have more than 50 years of empirical support and consistently improve behavior, engagement, emotional regulation, and communication across diverse populations. You’ll learn how to use objective praise, reflection, imitation, description, and genuine enjoyment to build connection—not compliance. This child-directed interaction approach has been shown to make meaningful gains for children with autism, ADHD, selective mutism, developmental language disorders, trauma histories, hearing differences, anxiety, and disruptive or externalizing behaviors. The research is broad. The effect sizes are large. And the application is simple. We dig into how PRIDE skills strengthen executive function, expressive language, joint attention, and emotional resilience—and why these strategies are essential for SLPs, early childhood educators, and anyone working in preschool or early elementary settings. When you have educationally rich activities prepared, you can stay fully present and implement PRIDE with intention, clarity, and consistency. If you want treatment plans that allow you to focus on relationships, responsiveness, and evidence-based connection strategies that actually change behavior, the SIS Membership is designed for you. Each week, you receive educationally rich activities that treat the whole child—speech, language, literacy, executive function, and motor foundations—so you can implement PRIDE seamlessly without scrambling for materials. Join the SIS Membership and make your therapy easier, richer, and more effective: https://www.kellyvess.com/sis Let’s build capacity, connection, and better outcomes—one child at a time.💚Kelly

If you treat speech sound disorders (SSD) and you’re not seeing the gains you expect, this episode is your playbook. We cut through the noise and name the 10 research-informed predictors of slower progress—attention/self-monitoring limits, sensitive temperament, co-occurring language/working-memory load, hearing impairment (fricatives/affricates), motor speech factors, structural constraints (e.g., open bite), low stimulability, later start to intervention, low therapy intensity/irregular attendance, and environmental barriers. Then we pivot hard into the three levers that consistently move outcomes: choosing complex, maximally distinct targets (e.g., SW-blends), delivering dynamic temporal tactile cueing (DTTC-style), and holding the ~80% challenge point to avoid reinforcing error patterns. Concrete therapy examples, parent carryover, and generalization strategies included. What you’ll learn: 📈How attention and self-monitoring mask progress until generalization “pops” 📈Why a sensitive temperament demands predictability and a responsive start 📈How co-occurring language and limited verbal working memory can look like CAS—but aren’t 📈What hearing loss really means for fricatives/affricates and consonant deletion patterns 📈Practical expectations for motor speech and structural constraints (e.g., open bite) 📈How stimulability with maximal cueing informs prognosis 📈Why start age and habit strength matter for entrenched /r/ and /s/ errors 📈Why frequency > duration for home practice, and how to embed one daily rep 📈The “no-data-during-DTTC” mindset: probe quickly, cue deeply, fade fast The 3 levers (non-negotiables): 📈Target selection: Complex, maximally distinct clusters (SW > ST/SP/SK) to drive system-wide change. 📈Delivery: DTTC-style, moment-to-moment cueing (choral → fade), with brief probes to verify learning. 📈Challenge point: Keep accuracy near ~80%—high enough to learn, low enough to adapt. If you’re reinforcing errors, pivot. 00:00 Why progress “flatlines” then explodes 03:10 Predictor #1: Attention/self-monitoring 06:20 #2: Sensitive temperament & predictable routines 10:00 #3: Language/working memory vs. “looks like CAS” 14:15 #4: Hearing impairment (HF cues, fricatives/affricates) 17:10 #5: Motor speech considerations 20:05 #6: Structural constraints (open bite, dental) 22:40 #7: Stimulability with maximal cueing 25:00 #8: Older start age, entrenched habits 27:10 #9: Intensity/attendance 28:45 #10: Environmental barriers 30:45 The 3 levers: complex targets, DTTC, 80% challenge point 38:00 One-rep-a-day home carryover that actually sticks Call to action: Stop reinventing materials. Make your work easy with effective, educationally-rich SSD tools at your fingertips—complex target sentence strips, paragraphs, and movement-literacy activities ready so you can focus on cueing, not prep. 👉 Join the SIS Membership: https://www.kellyvess.com/sis

If you work with children with autism who are minimally speaking, this episode is a must-listen. We’re breaking down why the “Look at” sentence strip has been a total game-changer in my therapy room—and why it consistently helps children begin to speak, connect, and comment on the world around them. After 25 years of practice, I can tell you this tool does more than encourage speech—it builds neurological pathways for speech to flow. You’ll learn: ✅ The neuroscience behind why repetition and motor consistency matter ✅ How DTTC and “look at” work hand-in-hand to build automaticity ✅ Why “look at” is far more powerful than “I want” for developing joint attention ✅ How to pair high-tech AAC with low-tech sentence strips for best outcomes ✅ The 10 reasons this strip transforms therapy for children with autism. This episode is full of practical insight, real-world examples from my SIS members’ “back porches,” and evidence-based strategies that rewire how we think about early speech intervention. 🎧 Tune in, and then grab your own Look at sentence strip and watch your minimally speaking students light up the room. 💫 Join the SIS Membership today for access to the weekly movement- and literacy-based therapy materials that pair perfectly with this episode—complete with parent emails and ready-to-go Google Slides for your whole group sessions. 👉 https://www.kellyvess.com/sis Thanks for joining me at today’s drawing board for a better tomorrow, 💚Kelly

Discover how a 2025 Nature autism study transforms early intervention in speech language pathology. Learn how family history, genetics, and executive function shape assessment, therapy planning, and lifelong communication outcomes. If you work with children with autism, this episode will change how you think about early intervention forever. A major 2025 study published in Nature titled Polygenic and developmental profiles of autism differ by age of diagnosis has revealed that early onset autism and later developing autism are not the same. This is one of the largest autism studies ever conducted, examining more than 47,000 individuals around the world. The results reshape how we understand autism heritability, family psychiatric history, and executive function development. In this episode, you will learn: ✅ Why early autism diagnosed before age three is genetically distinct from later developing autism that emerges in middle childhood or adolescence ✅ How family psychiatric history, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and substance use predicts later developing autism ✅ Why the DSM 5 removal of the age three cutoff was not only progressive but empirically supported ✅ How this research should change your parent input forms and follow up recommendations ✅ Why executive function including attention, cognitive flexibility, and self regulation is the bridge between prevention and intervention This study confirms that autism can emerge at any point in development when social and academic demands exceed a child’s executive function capacity. That finding changes everything about how we evaluate, how we plan early intervention, and how we empower families. If you are ready to move beyond reactive labels toward proactive, capacity-building intervention, this episode will show you how to do exactly that. 💡 Join the SIS Membership at https://www.kellyvess.com/sis to access weekly movement-based literacy and language activities that build executive function, the foundation for lifelong communication, learning, and independence. Source: Zhang, Y., et al. (2025). Polygenic and developmental profiles of autism differ by age of diagnosis. Nature, 631(8046), 455–468. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41034588/ Note: The diagnosis of Autism is an interdisciplinary process. In the U.S. public school system, a psychologist, social worker, and SLP are minimally required. In private settings, most insurers require a psychologist, MD, or psychiatrist with an allied health professional, such as an SLP.   

If you work with minimally speaking children or children with autism, this episode is a must-listen. Speech-language pathologist Kelly Vess takes on the five biggest myths about high-tech AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)—and backs every point with current peer-reviewed research. Learn why high-tech AAC devices: ✅ Do not require self-regulation or joint attention first ✅ Are not too complex for preschoolers ✅ Increase social interaction rather than limit it ✅ Should not be constantly customized ✅ Must be provided—and supported—by public schools under IDEA and ADA Kelly breaks down each misconception, explains how to blend high-tech and low-tech AAC for multimodal communication, and challenges you to D.S.D.—Do Something Different—instead of waiting 17 years for “research-to-practice.” It’s time to empower our minimally speaking students with robust, research-driven voices. Whether you’re an SLP, special educator, or early-childhood professional, you’ll walk away ready to advocate for access, staff training, and parent coaching in AAC implementation. 👉 Join today at www.kellyvess.com/sis

If you work with children with speech sound disorders, this episode is a must-listen. We’re diving into cutting-edge research on final consonant clusters—a treatment target that has been largely overlooked but may unlock powerful generalization gains. For decades, evidence has shown that choosing complex targets leads to greater overall progress. Now, new research suggests that working on final 3-element clusters may be just as effective—and possibly more efficient—than the traditional initial cluster approach. In this episode, I’ll break down: ✅ Why marked forms (like /skr/) accelerate progress more than unmarked forms ✅ What makes final clusters uniquely complex (morphological load, rarity, later acquisition) ✅ Key takeaways from a 2025 study on final clusters in intervention (8 children, 6 weeks, medium effect sizes) ✅ Practical strategies you can implement tomorrow on your back porch ✅ Why efficiency matters: getting gains in speech and language when time is limited. I’ll also share how to structure practice (limited exemplars, high repetitions, removing models for self-driven motor planning) so you can maximize impact. Don’t wait 17 years for research to trickle into practice—try this approach now. 🎁FREE Resource: Download your Final Cluster Homework Flip Book here: 👉 http://www.kellyvess.com/finalcluster ✨ Want weekly ready-to-go resources? Join the SIS Membership today and get instant access to: Theme-based movement + literacy activities Weekly treatment targets (including complex clusters + paragraphs) Parent + teletherapy Google Slides decks A full treatment target library 👉 https://www.kellyvess.com/sis Source: Potapova, I., John, A., Pruitt-Lord, S., & Barlow, J. (2025). Extending complexity to word-final position via telepractice: Intervention effects for English-speaking children with speech sound disorder. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 56(1), 42–57. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_lshss-24-00020

If you work with preschool or early elementary students, this episode is a must-listen. We’re diving into decontextualized language—a skill that’s rarely discussed but critical for literacy and academic success. Decontextualized language is when children talk about things outside the here and now—past events, future plans, ideas, feelings, and abstract thinking. Why does it matter? Research spanning over 20 years shows that children with strong decontextualized language skills in preschool perform better in reading and academics throughout elementary school. Yet, most SLPs and educators aren’t taught how to target it. In this episode, you’ll discover: -What decontextualized language is and why it’s the foundation of complex thinking. -Four powerful, evidence-based strategies to build this skill in fun, natural ways. -How to use Halloween excitement to scaffold conversations about past and future events. -Practical tips for using visuals, gestures, role-play, and parent collaboration. 💡 These strategies don’t just work for Halloween—they can be used for birthdays, field trips, and any special event to make language learning stick. 💚 Join the SIS Membership: Want ready-to-go therapy materials that build decontextualized language every week? Join the SIS Membership and get: -A Google Slides deck each week packed with educationally rich, movement-based literacy activities, Home resources to bridge school and family communication, -Evidence-based materials to target speech, language, and AAC in fun, engaging ways. 👉 Join here: https://www.kellyvess.com/sis 🎃Happy Halloween: Click here to download a 100% FREE Halloween-themed Google Slides deck to kickstart decontextualized conversations in therapy and at home!: https://www.kellyvess.com/halloween

Are you ready to go digital the right way in your therapy sessions? Today, we’re diving into the latest systematic review research on using digital tools to improve preschoolers’ language and literacy outcomes. The evidence is clear: digital media can be a powerful tool — when it’s used intentionally. In this episode, you’ll discover five key strategies that work, including: Why children should never be left alone with a device How to make digital activities multimodal and engaging The language modeling strategies that matter most Ways to make alphabet knowledge meaningful and connected to stories How to coach families and teachers for lasting impact Want to skip the overwhelm and have ready-to-go resources at your fingertips? Join my SIS Membership, where every week you’ll receive: A Google Slides deck filled with educationally rich activities Movement-based literacy ideas to target speech, language, and AAC goals Parent-friendly materials to bridge home and school learning Make therapy easier, more engaging, and research-based — all while saving hours of prep time. ✨ Join the SIS Membership today: https://www.kellyvess.com/sis Source: Liu, S., Reynolds, B., Thomas, N., & Soyoof, A. (2024). The use of digital technologies to develop young children’s language and literacy skills: A systematic review. Sage Open, 14(1).   

If you work with minimally speaking children using low-tech or high-tech AAC, this episode is for you. A brand-new systematic review has just been published, but the underlying research is sparse, messy, and often mislabeled. Today, we’ll dig through the “recycle bin” of studies to uncover what actually works, why commenting is more powerful than requesting, and how to take action on Monday morning. You’ll learn: -Why are many so-called “commenting interventions” really prompted responses to labeling questions, not true initiations -The pivotal role of combining words in AAC for speech development and generative language -Why modeling and scaffolding work and what research says about prompting hierarchies -How to apply the triangle of evidence-based practice when published protocols don’t exist -Download my free 30 Minute M.O.D.E.L. workshop to share with colleagues and caregivers: https://www.kellyvess.com/aac 💡 Ready-to-Go Tools: Don’t waste hours planning therapy. Get empirically-based, literacy-rich, movement-based activities delivered to you every week inside the SIS Membership. You’ll get: -Weekly theme-based Google Slides decks for individual, group, and teletherapy sessions -Engaging multisensory activities that target speech, language, and literacy, all ready to use Join now at https://www.kellyvess.com/sis and transform your therapy sessions with tools backed by research and designed for real-world success. Spencer, T. D., Tönsing, K., & Dada, S. (2025). Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions that promote commenting: A systematic review. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–14.

Is telepractice just as effective as in-person therapy for treating speech sound disorders? In this episode, we take a realistic, research-driven look at what the evidence really says about speech telepractice—and what factors determine whether it works. You’ll discover: The exact client profiles that are NOT a good fit for telepractice. The active ingredients that make telepractice sessions as effective as in-person therapy. Why dose isn’t just about reps—and how complex targets create massive gains. Brand-new research on final clusters and how to apply it in therapy. The key role of caregivers as co-therapists in virtual sessions. If you’re a school-based SLP, private practitioner, or just considering telepractice, this episode will help you deliver high-impact, evidence-based therapy online—while avoiding the pitfalls. 💛 Get ready-to-go therapy plans every week inside the SIS Membership:https://www.kellyvess.com/sisYou’ll get theme-based movement activities, literacy-rich speech therapy materials, and a home-to-school 'Google Slides Deck' bridge that’s ready for immediate use. Potapova, I., John, A., Pruitt-Lord, S., & Barlow, J. (2025). Extending complexity to word-final position via telepractice: Intervention effects for English-speaking children with speech sound disorder. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 56(1), 42–57. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_lshss-24-00020 P.S. A gift for SLPs & Educators: I’m giving away a FREE Digital Articulation Screener to make speech assessments easy and engaging—for both in-person and teletherapy sessions. Here’s what you’ll get for free when you join The Preschool SLP Facebook group: 🗂 A ready-to-go digital speech screener + protocol 📝 5 pages of goal-writing cheat sheets to write strong, measurable IEP goals 🎥 A live workshop to walk you step-by-step through the process ✨ Download by pressing the pinned link here → facebook.com/groups/thepreschoolslp     

Are your speech therapy goals actually creating change or just filling space on an IEP? In this episode, I share the three biggest mistakes I made in writing goals (and what to do instead). You’ll learn how to: Write measurable annual goals that track real growth. Use complex clusters and the complexity approach to accelerate progress. Show parents exactly how to cue, fade prompts, and buy-in to accomplish the quarterly objective so they become co-interventionists right from the start. Avoid clunky goals that stall progress and force unnecessary amendments. Want done-for-you treatment targets, cueing visuals, and movement-rich literacy-based activities? Join the SIS Membership today at www.kellyvess.com/sis . You’ll get ready-to-use weekly therapy materials that help you write smarter goals, coach parents with confidence, and create massive speech gains — without reinventing the wheel. Work smarter, not harder. Don't delay and download my free goal cheat sheet by clicking on the link in 'The Preschool SLP Facebook Group': https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepreschoolslp P.S. This week's episode was excerpted from my recent 'How to Write Speech Goal that WORK' Workshop. To access the free workshop and free accompanying goals sheets, go to 'The Preschool SLP Facebook Group': https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepreschoolslp

If you work with children with speech sound disorders, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down my simple 3-step method for writing speech goals that not only improve clarity but also empower parents and the entire intervention team to stay on the same page. You’ll learn how to: Use your single word standardized speech tests to track progress with confidence Write easy to measure annual goals that are reliable to connected speech Create clear, evidence-based objectives that scaffold from maximum to minimal support This approach has been a game-changer in my 20+ years of practice, making goals measurable, parent-friendly, and easy to implement across settings. ✨ Want ready-to-use literacy, speech, language, and AAC activities delivered weekly—complete with movement-based themes, large group lessons, and teletherapy/large group/parent home practice Google Slides decks? Join the SIS Membership and transform your sessions: https://www.kellyvess.com/sis Want to see exactly how I write these goals step by step—and get a downloadable cheat sheet you can use right away? Join me in The Preschool SLP Facebook group:  . I’ll be https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepreschoolslp going live on Monday, August 25th at 12 PM ET with an hour-long training that breaks this all down in detail. Can’t make it live? No worries—the replay and resources will be waiting for you inside the group.

How can speech-language pathologists determine whether a child’s communication challenges are due to a language difference or a language disorder—and then choose the most impactful language intervention strategies? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin, one of the leading experts in culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse (CLED) populations. With over 70 scholarly publications and 16 books, she has dedicated her career to ensuring SLPs can assess children fairly and provide evidence-based interventions that truly change outcomes. You’ll get research-backed, Monday-morning-ready tools you can use right away to evaluate students from under-resourced backgrounds and target goals that will boost both communication and academic skills. 🧠What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️Why standardized tests often misrepresent abilities in children from economically diverse backgrounds ✔️How working memory and nonword repetition tasks can reveal developmental language disorder (DLD) ✔️Fine and gross motor skills as powerful screening indicators ✔️Practical dynamic assessment techniques that reduce cultural and linguistic bias ✔️How parent responsiveness speed drives early language growth ✔️Goal-setting priorities from infancy through school age for maximum impact ✔️Building phonological awareness, morphological awareness, and narrative skills ✔️Why tier 2 vocabulary and paper books improve long-term literacy outcomes ✔️Free and low-cost strategies any caregiver can implement—no matter their literacy level. If you’re ready to put these strategies into practice, join the SIS Membership. You’ll get weekly, empirically based language and literacy activities that improve phonological awareness, literacy, and print skills—all ready to use for therapy every week. Perfect for working with preschoolers, early elementary students, and children from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds. 🎯 Start improving outcomes today → www.kellyvess.com/sis Connect with Guest Dr. Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin: TikTok: @celesteroseberry Instagram @dr.celesteroseberry YouTube: Celeste Roseberry Dr. Celeste's Website: www.lovetalkread.com Download Dr. Roseberry-McKibbin's Supplementary PowerPoint Handout

Are you using the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) framework in your autism intervention? This episode of The Preschool SLP pulls back the curtain on Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) and challenges you to think critically about what’s truly supported by research—and what isn't. SLPs are increasingly encouraged to adopt GLP-informed interventions, but a recent article by Venker and Lorang (2025) in response to Hadock et al. (2024) raises five concerns you can’t afford to ignore. In this episode, we break down each criticism with clinical insight and offer evidence-aligned strategies you can use immediately in your therapy room. 🔍 In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ What aspects of the NLA framework are backed by empirical research ❌ Why there’s currently no published GLP intervention program to evaluate 🧠 How mislabeling children as “Gestalt processors” can lead to unsupported assumptions ⚠️ The risks of avoiding verbs or grammar in early language modeling 🧪 What data you should be tracking with spontaneous language samples 🦢 Why eclectic, evidence-informed practice beats one-size-fits-all intervention 📚 Want done-for-you, research-backed materials aligned with what actually works? Skip the guesswork. My SIS Membership provides weekly, ready-to-use intervention tools grounded in empirical research—designed to help preschool SLPs like you make real progress with children on the autism spectrum, including those who use gestalts to communicate. 👉 Join the SIS Membership at www.kellyvess.com/sis Inside, you’ll find: 🎯 Multimodal therapy treatment targets 🔁 Materials for consistent, high-frequency language use that boosts progress 00:00 Introduction to Natural Language Processing 00:30 Evidence-Based Practices in Language Development 01:54 Intervention Strategies and Challenges 03:05 Criticisms of Gestalt Language Processing 06:59 Understanding and Measuring Language Processing 10:44 The Role of Gestalts in Language Learning 17:43 Final Thoughts and Practical Advice Haydock, A., Harrison, L., Baldwin, K., & Leadbitter, K. (2024). Embracing gestalt language development as a fundamental neurodiversity-affirmative practice. Autism, 28(5), 1055–1059. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241234598 Venker, C. E., & Lorang, E. (2024). Continuing the conversation about echolalia and gestalt language development: A response to Haydock, Harrison, Baldwin, and Leadbitter. Autism, 29(3), 821–824. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241287577

Are you using the Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) approach in assessing autistic language development—or wondering if you should? In this episode of The Preschool SLP Podcast, we cut through the noise to break down what’s evidence-based, what’s not, and how to make informed, practical decisions starting Monday morning. Whether you're a speech-language pathologist or a parent of a child with autism, this episode will equip you to approach Gestalt language development with discernment and clarity. In This Episode, you'll Learn: What is Gestalt Language Development and where it comes from (Marge Blanc, Barry Prizant, Laura Lee)? Why does current meta-analytic research cast doubt on many GLP intervention programs? Which active ingredients of the Gestalt paradigm align with spontaneous, generative language development? What are the biggest red flags in GLP that may hinder progress? The #1 evidence-based assessment tool you should be using (Hint: It's a spontaneous language sample—only 25 utterances needed!)? How to measure growth using: Repetition reduction, Type-token ratio, Verb diversity, Subject-verb combinations, Syntactic + grammatical complexity? Why do verbs matter more than nouns in assessing vocabulary gains? How to “be discerning like a swan” and combine the best of multiple intervention models? This episode isn’t just theory—it’s practical, raw, and backed by real research. If you're looking to create impactful change in language development, this is your blueprint. 🔗 Resources Mentioned: ResearchGate: 25-Utterance Language Sample Study, Barry Prizant’s work on Echolalia, Marge Blanc’s six stages of GLP, Laura Lee’s Developmental Sentence Scoring. Want Tools That Make Monday Easier? Get ready-to-use multimodal activities for autistic learners in the SIS Membership? Join hundreds of SLPs transforming their therapy with evidence-based SIS Membership tools you can download and use today. 👉 Join the SIS Membership now at www.kellyvess.com/sis

We're combining two of the most highly requested topics—Gestalt Language Processing and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)—into one conversation with Farwa Husain of First Phrases. We're answering some key questions about AAC + Gestalt: What do we actually know about integrating gestalts with high-tech AAC systems? What’s missing in the research? How can SLPs move forward confidently on Monday morning without waiting for perfect data? What Gestalt Language Processing really means (and why you can’t “give” a child a gestalt)? What common AAC myths are holding children back—and what to do instead? Is the child “stimming” on AAC devices (spoiler: often exploration, a good thing)? Why focus on relationship-first therapy? How can we model extensively and in a meaningful manner? What are some joyful learning strategies for introducing AAC to Gestalt Language Processors in preschool? Whether you're a seasoned SLP or just getting started, this episode is packed with actionable insights and evidence-informed best practices for Monday morning therapy with autistic preschoolers. Guest Bio: Farwa Husain is a specialist in Gestalt Language Processing and AAC integration. Follow her on Instagram @firstphrasesofficial and learn more at www.firstphrases.com. Roll up your sleeves and join the SIS Membership today! Get ready to implement what you hear on the podcast with done-for-you, ready-to-use literacy, music, and movement-based activities that treat the whole child. The SIS Membership is your go-to toolbox for engaging, evidence-based, educationally rich, neurodiversity-affirming therapy activities that treat the whole child in preschool and elementary school settings. Get AAC support, weekly movement activities, visuals, behavior supports, AAC strategies, Google Slides Decks, and more—all aligned with best practices discussed in today’s episode. I look forward to seeing you at the SIS Membership drawing board. Join now at www.kellyvess.com/sis

Is the way you’re working… actually working? In this candid and empowering episode of The Preschool SLP, I sit down with the SLP Happy Hour host, Sarah Lockhart, to talk about what no one tells you in grad school: the path to sustainability as an SLP is rarely linear. Together, we unpack what it really takes to thrive in this field—from navigating burnout to rebuilding self-trust, shifting careers, and defining success on your own terms. Whether you’re in public schools, private practice, teletherapy, or contracting, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are. What You'll Learn: The hidden costs of perfectionism and overworking When private practice becomes unsustainable The real pros and cons of contracting, teletherapy, and salaried school positions How to build a fulfilling SLP career through self-trust and clinical intuition Why working smarter (not harder) is the key to staying in this field long term If this episode hit home, and you’re craving less prep and more purpose in your therapy sessions, then it’s time to join the SIS Membership. Inside SIS, you’ll get: ✅ Weekly ready-to-go, research-backed therapy materials ✅ Tools like the Behavior Flip Cards and Progress Diplomas featured in this episode ✅ Multimodal strategies that support the whole child ✅ A system that protects your energy so you can focus on what matters: being present Join now and start working smarter today: www.kellyvess.com/sis 00:00 Introduction and Inspirational Opening 02:33 Sarah's Journey as an SLP 04:16 Challenges and Realities of Private Practice 04:46 The Shift to Telepractice 07:24 Balancing Work and Personal Life 18:12 Top Recovery Tips for SLPs Get your Behavior Rule Flip Cards + Behavior Diplomas at: 🔗 www.kellyvess.com/behavior

If you work with or have a child with communication impairments, today's episode, dedicated to improving behavior, is a 'must-listen'. I’m pulling back the curtain and giving you access to two powerful tools straight from my SIS Membership that are helping SLPs across the country transform their therapy sessions—without burning out. Heat up your laminator and get ready for success.  Tool #1 will help your kiddos develop prosocial communication behaviors. Tool #2 will support celebrating and generalizing prosocial communication behaviors. These tools are designed to be effective, easy to implement, and evidence-based for kiddos with communication challenges. Download both free tools by going to www.kellyvess.com/behavior Get ready-to-go, empirically-based, engaging activities (with parent home practice) in your inbox every week by joining the SIS Membership today at www.kellyvess.com/sis Join SIS and be present.

Take your recovery as seriously as the work. In this episode, I share my five current favorite health hacks for achieving optimal health and well-being, both mentally and physically. P.S. Prevent burnout by becoming a SIS member and receiving educationally rich, ready-for-use materials in your inbox weekly. Don't delay and join the SIS Membership today at kellyvess.com/sis

Over 20 years ago, I moved from the "I want" sentence strip to the "Look at" one in working with children with Autism. Why? This episode explores the advantages of using a "Look at" sentence strip over an "I want" sentence strip to optimize gains in the development of communication skills in children with autism in both the short and long term. Ready to take action? Don't delay and join me at the intervention drawing board by joining the SIS Membership today at kellyvess.com/sis