Spotlight on Speech Therapy
Speech therapy isn’t just learning words. It’s learning to share feelings, connect with others, and be understood in their own way.
Speech therapy helps children:
Speech therapy helps children:
- Express needs, thoughts, and emotions
- Gain confidence
- Speak more clearly and build sentences
- Connect with family and friends
How can you tell if speech therapy can help?
- Finds it difficult to start or join conversations
- Uses fewer words than expected
- Relies mostly on gestures
- Feels shy in social situations
- Finds it difficult to start or join conversations
- Uses fewer words than expected
- Relies mostly on gestures
- Feels shy in social situations
Ways Parents Can Help:
Ways Parents Can Help:
- Narrate daily activities: “We’re pouring the milk.”
- Offer choices: “Do you want an apple or banana?”
- Celebrate every sound, gesture, or word: “I love how you pointed to the toy!”
Every small step is a big win toward confidence and connection.
Targeted Approach in Speech Therapy
Observation & Assessment
Sound & Word Development
Interactive Games
Visual & Sensory Support
Step-by-Step Progression
From LifeLab Kids Community
LifeLab Kids joins Trove Market
We’re excited to announce that LifeLab Kids is now a Partner on Trove Market, a platform created to help entrepreneurs with disabilities showcase and grow their businesses. If you or someone you know is an entrepreneur with disabilities, we invite you to sign up here: https://www.trovemarket.com
We’re excited to announce that LifeLab Kids is now a Partner on Trove Market, a platform created to help entrepreneurs with disabilities showcase and grow their businesses. If you or someone you know is an entrepreneur with disabilities, we invite you to sign up here: https://www.trovemarket.com
Gratitude for Community Support
A heartfelt thank you to the Flinn Foundation and Vibe Credit Union for their generous grant awards to LifeLab Kids. Your support helps us continue building programs that create hope, confidence, and opportunities for neurodiverse youth.
Detroit Free Press Marathon Fundraiser
Detroit Free Press Marathon Fundraiser
This October, LifeLab Kids will be running 13 miles in the Detroit Free Press Marathon. Every step taken helps raise funds to support therapies, creative programs, and brighter futures for children and youth. Want to cheer us on or support the team? Learn more and donate here: https://www.lifelabkids.org/detroit-marathon
Therapist Spotlight
One of the most rewarding parts of being a speech-language pathologist is helping children discover the communication method that works best for them. Recently, I had the opportunity to support a young client in obtaining an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) device, and the results have been life changing.
Prior to AAC, this child faced daily frustration and limitations in expressing even basic wants and needs. With access to their device, they are now initiating conversations, requesting items, labeling familiar objects, and even beginning to verbally imitate the words they select.
These are major milestones that not only support language development but also build confidence and reduce behavioral frustration. It has been incredible to watch their communication skills flourish, impacting not only their daily life but also bringing new joy and connection to their family.
Providing access to multimodal communication such as verbal speech, sign language, and AAC is essential, and it is truly inspiring to see what happens when a child is given the tools to thrive.
Parent FAQs
- Myth: Children cannot learn or connect
- Truth: Every child has strengths and ways to communicate
- Myth: Children don’t enjoy relationships
- Truth: Many enjoy connections, even if expressed differently
- Use simple words: “Today we go to the park instead of the library.”
- Use pictures or a “First…Then” board
- Give advance notice if possible
- Keep a calm, consistent tone
- Reassure: “It’s okay, we’ll have fun together”
- The child’s choices matter
- Progress is celebrated, not perfection
- Goals are meaningful for the child and family
- Therapy encourages confidence, joy, and connection
- The environment feels safe, patient, and understanding
Activities for Speech at Home
Therapy in Harmony
Together, they create joy, learning, and self-discovery.
Thank You
Every smile, word, and step forward is made possible by the love and support of families, friends, and community. Through art, movement, speech, and play, we nurture growth, confidence, and connection helping every child reach their unique potential.
Schedule a visit to see how we can support your child’s journey.
