Hi everyone! First, thank you for being part of The Speech Community. Whether you've been actively participating or quietly following along, I'm so grateful you're here. Over the past several months, I've learned a lot about what parents are looking for in this space. I've also realized that the most valuable part of this community isn't the resource library. It's the opportunity to connect, ask questions, share wins, and get practical support from both me and other parents who understand the journey. To help create a more active and engaged community, I'm going to be making a few changes over the coming weeks. As part of this transition, I'm doing a community reset. *If you'd like to remain a member of The Speech Community, please COMMENT "I'm in" below OR LIKE this post by June 19, 2026.* Current members who opt in will continue to have access to the community. Going forward, new members will join through a low-cost membership. I know everyone has different levels of involvement they want in a community, and my goal is to make this space sustainable, accessible, and genuinely helpful for the families who choose to be here. A small membership fee for new members will help keep the community intentional and encourage participation, while still keeping support affordable for families. I'll be sharing more details soon, but for now, COMMENT "I'm in" BELOW OR LIKE THIS POST BY JUNE 19, 2026 TO KEEP YOUR ACCESS. *Classroom members will automatically stay. Thank you for being here and for trusting me to be part of your family's communication journey.

This came up in our community call on Wednesday, and I thought it was such an important one: “What do I do when my child pulls my hand instead of using words?” First, hand-pulling is communication. Your child is showing you that they want help, access, or attention. This video shares ways to build on this communication and shape it into words. Try this: 1. Acknowledge what they want by going with them 2. Point and label items in the area (e.g., "apple," "banana," "blueberries") 3. PAUSE and watch for a response. Give them a chance to look, reach, vocalize, sign, or try the word. 4. If no response, given 2 choices (1 of the choices should be the item they want) and PAUSE again. 5. Then give the item (no requiring a response!) 6. Hand-pulling can be a stepping stone toward more intentional communication. Instead of ignoring it or saying “use your words,” respond to the message and gently model the next step. These are the exact kinds of questions we talk through inside the community calls, with real examples from everyday routines.

We’re officially starting bi-weekly Classroom calls! Our first call will be Wednesday, 5/13 at 2:30 PM, and this first one will be open to everyone. After that, the calls will be for Classroom members only. These calls will be a space to ask questions, talk through strategies, troubleshoot what’s coming up at home, and get more support as you work through the Classroom resources. I’m excited to have a regular time to connect and make this space even more helpful. Drop a comment/like if you’re planning to join and share any topics you'd like covered!