Episode Summary

Pediatric speech-language pathologist Denise Santos Ford, M.S., CCC-SLP joins Pixel Parenting to demystify what SLPs actually do (far beyond “fixing R’s”), how screen time intersects with social-emotional and language development, and practical, evidence-aligned ways parents can use tech—together with their kids—to spark more words. We also talk AAC devices, video-modeling, telehealth vs. in-person therapy, ultrasound biofeedback for tricky sounds, and emerging AI tools that may support home practice.

What We Cover

• What SLPs treat beyond articulation and stuttering: phonology, motor planning/apraxia, social-pragmatic language, literacy (reading/writing), cognition, and feeding/swallowing.


• What research suggests about screen exposure, social-emotional development, and why co-viewing with a caregiver matters.


• Turning apps and shows into language prompts (not babysitters): used together to model vocabulary, emotions, and conversation.


• Assistive tech & AAC: giving kids a voice while speech develops; when and how SLPs trial apps/devices.


• Home practice that sticks: video-modeling, self-monitoring, and level-by-level targets.


• Telehealth vs. in-person: what works, what’s harder, and the role of caregiver coaching.


• Tools for tricky sounds: delayed auditory feedback, visual meters, and ultrasound to “see” the tongue for /k, g, r/.


• AI on the horizon: supervised home practice and feedback loops from university research teams.

Denise’s Practical Tips (Quick Wins)

• Co-view and narrate: pause, label feelings, predict, and relate on-screen moments to your child’s day.


• Use apps together as conversation starters (not solo time): describe, compare, decide, and reflect.


• Match the practice level: at home, stay one level below what the SLP is targeting to ensure success and carryover.


• Try video-modeling: record, rewatch, notice small mouth-movement tweaks, then try again.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Toca Boca — https://tocaboca.com/


• Toca Boca World – App Store — https://apps.apple.com/us/app/toca-boca-world/id1208138685


• Toca Boca World – Google Play — https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tocaboca.tocalifeworld


• ABCya — https://www.abcya.com/


• ABCya – Google Play — https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abcya.android.games


• PBS KIDS Games Hub — https://pbskids.org/games


• PBS KIDS – Home — https://pbskids.org/


• Boom Learning (Boom Cards) — https://www.boomlearning.com/


• Speech Blubs — https://speechblubs.com/


• Speech Blubs – App Store — https://apps.apple.com/in/app/speech-blubs-language-therapy/id1239522573


• Speech Blubs – Google Play — https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.blubblub.app.speechblubs


• Articulation Station (Little Bee Speech) — https://littlebeespeech.com/articulation_station.php


• Articulation Station Hive – App Store — https://apps.apple.com/us/app/articulation-station-hive/id1485607474


• Bla Bla Bla – App Store (sound‑reactive) — https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bla-bla-bla/id430815432


• Ultimate SLP — https://www.ultimateslp.com/


• Learning Ally (audiobooks for dyslexia) — https://learningally.org/


• ASHA – American Speech‑Language‑Hearing Association — https://www.asha.org/


• Syracuse University – Speech Production Research Lab — https://speechproductionlab.syr.edu/


• Speech Motor Chaining (research site) — https://chaining.syr.edu/


• Rachel – Songs for Littles (YouTube) — https://www.youtube.com/@msrachel


• Dora the Explorer – Nickelodeon — https://www.nickanimation.com/content/dora-the-explorer/


• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse – Disney+ — https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-eb0bb177-6278-48ec-902d-4efb916a7a39


• Gabby’s Dollhouse – Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81009946


• Child Development Center of Marin (Speech Marin) — https://www.speechmarin.com/


• Denise Santos Ford – LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-santos-ford-slp

Call to Action

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