Special Guests
- Leigh Cohen, MS, CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist and faculty member at Northwestern University
- Consuelo Martinez, Rafael’s mother
- Brittany Briscoe, Worth’s mother
Two families found that a stronger voice gave their sons more than volume. It gave them confidence, connection and the power to be understood.
In this episode of LSVT Global’s Think BIG and LOUD Podcast, host Beth Peterson talks about LSVT LOUD® for Kids with three guests who saw that change up close. Rafael (“Rafie”) and Worth both received LSVT LOUD through a partnership between Northwestern University and GiGi’s Playhouse in Deerfield, Illinois.
A student’s challenge sparks a partnership
Leigh has taught clinical methods at Northwestern for a decade. The program began when one of her students, Grace Spath, told her the field was missing a group of children who needed support.
“You’re overlooking a population here.” – Grace Spath, as recalled by Leigh Cohen
Grace introduced Leigh to GiGi’s Playhouse, where there was a clear need for speech and language support. Leigh also teaches neuromotor speech disorders. While training in gold-standard treatments for dysarthria, she learned about an LSVT LOUD course for pediatric clients. She asked her contacts at GiGi’s whether families would want it. The answer was an enthusiastic yes.
After her training, Leigh’s first cohort of five graduate students became certified. Results came quickly.
That experience showed her the value of high-frequency, high-dosage care focused on vocal loudness to improve speech intelligibility.
What is GiGi’s Playhouse?
Consuelo described GiGi’s Playhouse as a Down syndrome achievement center that supports individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Programs start at birth and use play-based classes to introduce physical, occupational and speech therapy. Each Playhouse is funded by its community, so programs are free. There are about 50 locations across the U.S. and in Mexico.
“They for us have been a lifeline since we moved back stateside.” – Consuelo Martinez
Meet Rafie: a lot to say
Rafie just turned eight. Consuelo calls him a bundle of joy who was always vocalizing. His family could hear every vowel and sound, and the intonation of what he wanted to say. But he wasn’t putting the sounds together.
“He would have a whole conversation with you and we would not understand what he was trying to say.” – Consuelo Martinez
That gap caused frustration and dysregulation. Rafie had an AAC device, but it wasn’t his preferred way to communicate. At an LSVT LOUD presentation at GiGi’s, the family saw a before-and-after video of a young girl with Down syndrome whose speech became much clearer. They signed Rafie up that spring.
Assume competence, then build joy
Leigh says it is common to assume a child with Down syndrome has global deficits. Her approach starts from a different place.
“I’m looking at how can we give him the instrument to say what he wants to say. So one of the first things is to assume competence.” – Leigh Cohen
The team structured every session so Rafie knew what was coming, and built each one around his favorite movement, activities and books. Every attempt to communicate was celebrated. Rafie’s dad even started wearing athletic gear to sessions. He carried Rafie on his shoulders from the lobby and moved only when Rafie held his long “ah.”
“We celebrate the vocalizations, and then we celebrate him using his words, and then we celebrate him expressing himself.” – Leigh Cohen
Parents often ask how a child could want to come to therapy four days a week for an hour. Leigh says families tell her the opposite problem: their child doesn’t want to leave.
Four intense, joyful weeks
Consuelo describes the treatment period as intense, and says Rafie loved it. His dad picked him up after school with a load of snacks. Within a week, Rafie knew exactly where they were going and what to do. One favorite exercise used a parachute: if Rafie vocalized, he went up. If he didn’t, nothing happened.
Treating the whole child
For children with Down syndrome, communication needs go beyond voice and loudness. Leigh sees her role as both clinician and advocate.
“Regulation maximizes communication.” – Leigh Cohen
As Rafie progressed, Leigh brought in an occupational therapist, known to the family as Dr. Rosie, to support regulation. The team also worked to make sure Rafie’s IEP reflected his progress at school, and added another speech-language pathologist to support his AAC use. The goal was to support him in the clinic, at school and at home.
“We have a responsibility as advocates to say this intervention is going to be wonderful for your child, and we also have these other incredible practitioners who can support your son across all settings.” – Leigh Cohen
Meet Worth: ready for the stage
Worth is five and, in Brittany’s words, has never met a stranger. He loves movement and music. His superpower is adaptability, though Brittany admits he is also stubborn and strong-willed.
Worth has had some form of speech therapy since he was a few weeks old, starting with feeding therapy. His family always heard his voice, but not consistently. Brittany felt they had reached a stalemate and wanted something that could give him an extra boost.
“I was just blown away by what she was doing. I left that conversation feeling so motivated and empowered to really try it.” – Brittany Briscoe
She brought her husband and her parents on board so the whole family could commit to the schedule.
A karaoke machine in LSVT yellow
Before treatment started, Brittany emailed Leigh a video of Worth at a karaoke spot. Leigh bought a mini karaoke machine in LSVT yellow and turned the treatment room into a stage.
“For it to be salient, it has to be child-led.” – Leigh Cohen
Singing, dancing and moving kept Worth engaged. Parents, siblings and grandparents were welcome in every session. As the weather warmed, sessions moved outdoors, and Worth grew confident starting conversations in new settings.
New peer groups at GiGi’s
This fall, Northwestern and GiGi’s Playhouse launched peer group sessions in the Playhouse’s play space. The first group included two children, ages four and five. Activities were child-led and rooted in play, with strong voice exercises built in. Worth’s sister Bellamy even helped set up the gym, suggesting ways Worth could move and use his voice.
“Having the open door to say siblings, family, anybody is welcome, because the client feels so excited to share their communication.” – Leigh Cohen
Brittany says including siblings makes therapy easier for busy families and helps carryover at home.
“They’re really providing support that I couldn’t, because they’re the ones playing with him.” – Brittany Briscoe
How a stronger voice changed the family
Worth has two older sisters, Bellamy and Rowan. For a long time, Brittany says, they felt sad that they might never have a conversation with their brother.
“They’ve seen that light. They know it’s possible. They feel like they are interacting with him. They’re not talking at him.” – Brittany Briscoe
The girls now do fewer things for Worth and push him to do more himself, which reminds Brittany that he can do hard things.
Rafie’s younger sister, Eva, became a model for his vocal exercises at home. With strategies from Dr. Rosie, she now asks him yes-or-no questions all day, and gets a clear answer.
“Before, she wouldn’t necessarily get an answer from him that was super clear. And now it’s a definite yes or a definite no.” – Consuelo Martinez
Rafie now goes around the dinner table naming everyone. He greeted his uncle clearly at a family gathering. He even called his grandfather on the phone to tell him about horseback riding.
Worth had his own breakthrough at a playdate. Holding a toy cowboy, he said “Howdy, partner,” and named a toy dinosaur clearly. The other mom was surprised.
“She goes, ‘I thought you said he couldn’t talk.’ That was one of those aha moments. You’re like, oh my gosh, it works.” – Brittany Briscoe
Keeping the gains going
Both families found practical ways to fit vocal exercises into busy days.
Start the day with exercises
Rafie loves music, so his family traded five minutes of music for each set of exercises in the morning.
Use the car
Both families practice on the way to school and therapy, often while singing.
Let siblings lead
Eva, Bellamy and Rowan model the exercises during play.
Add a microphone
Worth does his exercises well with a mic that gives instant, loud feedback.
Find support
Rafie’s school speech therapist got LSVT LOUD certified after seeing his progress. Worth’s new private speech therapist is certified too.
Join a group
Weekly peer sessions at GiGi’s give Worth regular practice with peers.
Brittany says the biggest carryover is honoring every way Worth communicates.
“Not waiting him out until he says the words, but making sure that we’re giving him the words when he doesn’t have them.” – Brittany Briscoe
Advice for families considering LSVT LOUD
Asked what they would tell another parent, both mothers had the same first answer: do it.
Consuelo shared the moment that made it all worthwhile. Before LSVT LOUD, Rafie had rarely said “Mom,” and usually only when he was sick or upset. Around the third week, she came downstairs and found him waiting for her.
She also credits Leigh with helping the family understand that Rafie is a gestalt language learner, which explained patterns they had noticed for years. And she notes that the time and energy the program takes are far outweighed by the benefits.
Brittany’s family lives in Deerfield, both parents work full-time, and they have two other children. Getting to Evanston four times a week took planning and help from grandparents. She says it was worth it.
“Think of it as such a moment in time, but it’s going to pay dividends.” – Brittany Briscoe
She also encourages patience. Not every child leaves speaking in sentences, and progress can be a slow burn.
“Be patient with your child and realize that they are capable of probably more than you know.” – Brittany Briscoe
Both mothers agree the greatest gain was empowerment: their sons now know their voices have power.
Leigh closed with thanks to the families.
“Thank you for having the faith in us and entrusting us with the care of your children. We are just so happy to be a part of their journey and continue to see them thrive.” – Leigh Cohen
Learn more
- GiGi’s Playhouse: gigisplayhouse.org
- LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG: Learn more or find a certified clinician at lsvtglobal.com
- Think Big and Loud: Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts