Wesley was four, mostly nonverbal, and just learning to walk. Two summers of LSVT BIG® and LSVT LOUD® later, his family can’t get him off the stairs or get him to stop talking.
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Whether it’s your own child or a child on your caseload—one who’s hard to understand, too soft to be heard, not articulating clearly, or using only a few words—one of the most effective places to begin may be surprisingly simple: their voice. Voice is power source behind every word a child says, and for many children with motor speech disorders it’s an overlooked foundation. Targeting voice directly can help speech become louder, clearer, and easier to understand.
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Many clinicians have long suspected there’s a relationship between feeding, swallowing, and speech–language development. This post isn’t about fully explaining that relationship. It’s about why it matters clinically and why it’s worth paying attention to.
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When working with individuals diagnosed with Down syndrome, physical therapy often focuses on more than just movement—it’s about building confidence, independence, and quality of life. This case study highlights the progress of one patient who began therapy in June 2025 with concerns about balance, functional mobility, and endurance.
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When we think about speech treatment for children with cerebral palsy (CP), familiar challenges often come to mind: reduced loudness, imprecise articulation, monotone pitch and communication breakdowns that limit their real-world participation. Many of us have also felt the frustration of seeing progress in the therapy room that doesn’t always carry over to daily life.
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As speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and as parents, we’re always seeking the clearest, most supportive path for children with motor speech disorders to find their voices—literally and figuratively. One innovative, evidence-backed approach is LSVT LOUD, originally developed for adults with Parkinson’s disease, now thoughtfully adapted for kids.
Continue Reading →Building Pathways to Better Voices: Intensive Voice Therapy and Neuroplasticity in Children’s Speech
As speech-language pathologists (SLPs), we work with children who face challenges with speech production. These difficulties, broadly termed motor speech disorders, can make it hard for children to coordinate the precise movements needed for clear communication. One common type of motor speech disorder is dysarthria, which is often associated with conditions like cerebral palsy (CP).
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Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are always on the lookout for effective, evidence-based treatments that can be applied to a wide range of clients. One such treatment that has proven its versatility across age groups is LSVT LOUD. Originally developed for adults with Parkinson’s disease, LSVT LOUD has expanded its reach to benefit other neurological adult and pediatric populations.
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I have been exploring the option of using LSVT BIG® with kids for a few years now. I pursued additional referrals from pediatricians since that time and had a lot of interest but just got my first official referral this past summer. Then I found out it was a 4-year-old boy with Down Syndrome!
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