In schools and private practices across the country, families of struggling students are told, “Get an evaluation,” as if identifying a diagnosis is the solution. But what happens when the evaluation is conducted by the wrong person, who either lacks deep expertise in language development or doesn’t treat the conditions they’re assessing? The answer is […]
Despite its clinical ring, “Auditory Processing Disorder” (APD) remains one of the most poorly defined, inconsistently diagnosed, and least useful labels used in school-aged populations. Not only is the diagnosis itself mired in scientific controversy, but its downstream effects in schools often do more harm than good. Recently, I conducted a professional poll on social
The APD Diagnosis Trap: How a Controversial Label Harms Kids in Schools Read More »
Determining a student’s “grade level” can be especially challenging when that student has Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) (Ziegenfusz et al, 2022). DLD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how children understand and use language, including vocabulary, grammar, following directions, processing questions, and expressing ideas clearly. Because language underpins all areas of academic learning, these challenges
When Skills Don’t Line Up: Making Sense of DLD and Grade Expectations Read More »
It’s a situation that sadly happens far too often. A parent or caregiver refuses to acknowledge a particular diagnosis, such as Autism, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Dyslexia, or another neurodevelopmental condition. Sometimes it’s about fear. Other times, stigma (Turnock et al, 2022; Huang et al., 2023). In many cases, it’s rooted in the belief that
Acknowledging the Diagnosis: Why Denial Hurts More Than the Label Ever Could Read More »
As summer approaches, many families begin to wind down from the academic year, looking forward to a break from routines, early mornings, and school responsibilities. While rest and unstructured time are important for children, pausing language and literacy therapy over the summer can have serious consequences, especially for students with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Autism,
After my last post, a number of parents and SLPs have contacted me to find out what typical therapy sessions with young adults look like on a weekly basis. They were especially curious about how therapy can support young adults who struggle with managing emotions, staying organized, and navigating social situations. Many of these young
One Step at a Time: Therapy for Young Adults that Works Read More »
In the field of speech language pathology and allied services, we carry the immense responsibility of identifying and supporting children who struggle with language and literacy. Yet all too often, our good intentions are undercut by poor testing practices, superficial conclusions, and a harmful tendency to reassure students by telling them “there’s nothing wrong with
Stop Saying “You’re Fine”: Why Struggling Students Deserve the Truth and Real Help Read More »
Timothy Shanahan’s recent blog post, Accommodating Reading Comprehension with Listening—Good Idea?, raises a critical concern: when schools and educators rely on listening comprehension or text-to-speech (TTS) as a substitute for direct reading instruction, they fail to address the root causes of students’ reading difficulties. While these accommodations may provide temporary access to content, they do
Real Reading Requires Real Instruction: Why Accommodations Aren’t Enough Read More »
For many parents, hearing that their child is more impaired than they previously believed can be devastating. This is especially true when the children have been attending specialized private schools that failed to adequately identify and address their language and literacy deficits. The revelation often comes after an outside comprehensive language and literacy testing—an experience
Hard Truths, Stronger Futures: Why Facing Reality Helps Your Child Succeed Read More »
Early progress in therapy can be misleading, as skills need reinforcement to prevent regression and keep up with academic demands. Research shows that discontinuing support too soon can lead to future struggles (Catts et al., 2012; Justice et al., 2009). Sustained intervention ensures long-term success, helping students retain and apply their skills as academic challenges increase (Stanovich, 1986). Therapy isn’t just a fix—it’s an investment in a child’s future.