Category: Featured

A Sensory-Friendly Halloween: Tips for Kids with Autism and Sensory Differences

Educational, Featured, General | 4 min read

Halloween can be an exciting night for kids, but for children with autism, sensory sensitivities, communication differences or difficulty with changes in routine, it can also feel overwhelming.

Costumes can be uncomfortable. Neighborhoods can be noisy and crowded. Trick-or-treating involves unfamiliar people, unexpected sounds and lots of social interaction. Even the excitement of Halloween can be a lot to take in.

That doesn’t mean your child has to miss out. With a little preparation, you can help make Halloween feel more predictable, comfortable and fun.

Prepare for the Parts of Halloween That May Be Hard

Think about what your child typically finds challenging and plan around those needs.

If costumes are difficult, let your child choose something comfortable rather than insisting on a traditional costume. A favorite shirt, pajamas or simple accessory can still make a great Halloween outfit.

If noise is a concern, consider bringing headphones or choosing a quieter time to go out. If crowds are overwhelming, you don’t have to visit every house on the block.

And if your child doesn’t like the idea of trick-or-treating at all, that’s okay, too. Halloween can be celebrated at home, with a small group of familiar people, or through another activity your child enjoys.

Practice Trick-or-Treating Before Halloween Night

For some children, the hardest part of trick-or-treating is not knowing what comes next.

You can make the experience more predictable by practicing at home. Take turns pretending to knock on the door, greet someone, ask for a treat and say thank you. If your child uses AAC, gestures or another form of communication, practice using those during your pretend trick-or-treating, too.

A simple visual schedule or social story like this one from Autism Little Learners or this one from Autism Speaks can also help your child understand the sequence of the evening. You don’t need to practice everything perfectly. The goal is simply to make the experience feel a little more familiar.

Remember That Communication Looks Different for Every Child

“Trick or treat” and “thank you” are traditional parts of Halloween, but children don’t need to use spoken words to participate.

A child might use speech, an AAC device, sign language, gestures, pictures or another communication method. Giving your child extra time to respond and making their own communication tools available can make the experience much easier.

Halloween can also be a natural opportunity to practice language and social skills. Talking about costumes, describing decorations, making requests, waiting for their turn and responding to simple questions are all ways to build communication skills while doing something fun.

Have a Plan for When Things Get Overwhelming

Even with preparation, Halloween may not go exactly as planned.

Your child may decide they don’t want to wear their costume. They may become overwhelmed after three houses. They may suddenly want to go home. If your child tends to wander or run when excited or overwhelmed, think ahead about what supports will help keep them safe and close to you.

That’s why it can help to have a simple way for your child to communicate “all done,” “break,” “help” or “go home.” If your child has a preferred calming strategy, bring it along.

Most importantly, listen when your child communicates that they’ve had enough. There is no rule saying you have to stay out for a certain amount of time or visit a certain number of houses.

A short, positive Halloween experience is still a successful Halloween.

Let Your Child Define What Makes Halloween Fun

There isn’t one right way to celebrate Halloween.

For one child, a successful Halloween might mean walking around the neighborhood and collecting a bucket full of candy. For another, it might mean visiting two houses before heading home. Another child may be happiest decorating pumpkins, handing out candy or having a Halloween movie night.

The goal isn’t to make your child participate in Halloween exactly the way everyone else does. It’s to find a way for them to enjoy the experience while feeling safe, comfortable and included.

A little preparation can go a long way toward making Halloween a positive opportunity to practice communication, social interaction, independence and regulation skills—all while having fun.

Looking for support?

At SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy, our speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and behavioral health team help children build skills for communication, social interaction, sensory regulation and everyday activities.

If your child is having a hard time with communication, sensory needs, social situations or changes in routine, we’re here to help.

Free Resources to Help Kids Prepare for Haircuts, Dentist Visits, & Other Everyday Experiences

Educational, Featured, General | 6 min read

Free printable guides, sensory strategies, and social stories to help children prepare for community experiences.

Created by: Mackenzie Garcia, Occupational Therapy Student. Completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Occupational Therapy.
Reviewed by: Rachael Todaro, OTD, OTR/L

Is your child nervous about their next haircut? Worried about a trip to the dentist? Overwhelmed by public restrooms or medical appointments?

New experiences can be challenging for children, especially when they involve unfamiliar routines, sounds, smells, movement, touch, or other sensory input. Preparing children ahead of time and helping them understand what to expect can make these experiences feel more predictable and manageable.

Below are free resources to give parents practical strategies they can use before, during, and after some of the everyday experiences that may be challenging for children. Each topic includes a parent guide with helpful tips as well as a child-friendly social story that can be read together before the experience.

Whether you’re preparing for your child’s first haircut, an upcoming doctor’s appointment, or simply looking for ways to make everyday experiences a little easier, we hope these free resources are helpful for your family.

Free Resources for Parents & Kids

Below you’ll find a free comprehensive video, parent handouts, and social stories for several community experiences that are frequently challenging for children with sensory processing differences. We recommend watching the video, reviewing the parent handout, and then sharing the social story with your child before the experience.

Watch: Supporting Children With Sensory Processing Challenges in the Community

In this video, learn more about sensory processing and strategies that can help children feel more comfortable and confident during everyday experiences in the community.

Preparing for a Haircut

Haircuts can be challenging for some children because of unfamiliar sensations, sounds, and routines. Hair clippings touching the skin, water being sprayed on the hair, scissors or clippers, and having someone touch the child’s head can all be new or uncomfortable experiences.

There are several ways parents can help prepare their child before the appointment, including practicing pretend haircuts at home, looking at pictures or videos of a salon or barbershop, and using a visual schedule or social story. During the appointment, children may benefit from a preferred toy or comfort item, breaks as needed, and simple, predictable explanations of what will happen next.
Afterward, give your child time to regulate and recover if needed. Quiet time, a calming activity, a favorite toy, or another familiar comfort can help. Most importantly, celebrate your child’s effort and participation.

Free Haircut Resources

The social story walks children through what happens at a salon or barbershop, including sitting in the chair, wearing a cape, getting their hair wet, hearing scissors or clippers, and what they can do if they feel worried.

For Parents:

For Kids:

Preparing for Hair Braiding

Hair braiding can involve prolonged touch to the scalp, pulling or tension on the hair, sitting still for an extended period, and unfamiliar sounds or sensations. Preparing your child ahead of time can help make the experience more predictable and comfortable.

Free Hair Braiding Resource

For Kids:

Preparing for a Dentist Visit

A trip to the dentist can involve many unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells, sensations, and routines. Preparing your child ahead of time can help make the experience feel more predictable.

A social story can introduce what your child may see and experience before the appointment, while sensory strategies can help your child feel more comfortable during the visit.

Free Dentist Visit Resources

For Parents:

For Kids:

Preparing for a Medical Appointment

Medical appointments can be challenging for children who are sensitive to bright lights, unfamiliar smells, medical equipment, touch, or busy waiting rooms. Preparing your child for what to expect can help make the appointment more predictable. Before the visit, families can try heavy-work activities, use a visual schedule or social story, use first-then language, and offer choices when possible. During the appointment, children may benefit from headphones, sunglasses, a weighted blanket or stuffed animal, a quiet space for breaks, or hand and body squeezes.

After the appointment, allow time for calming activities and celebrate your child’s effort and participation.

Free Medical Appointment Resources

For Parents:

For Kids:

Preparing to Use a Public Restroom

Public restrooms can be challenging for children because of unexpected sounds, strong smells, bright lighting, unfamiliar routines, and sensory experiences associated with toilets, automatic flushers, faucets, hand dryers, and other bathroom features.

Before visiting a public restroom, parents can talk with their child about the sounds they may hear, use First-Then language, introduce a visual schedule or social story, and offer choices when possible. During the visit, noise-canceling headphones, ear defenders, covering the ears, standing farther away from hand dryers, or using paper towels may help some children.

Afterward, provide reassurance, positive feedback, and a calming activity if needed. Celebrate your child’s effort and success.

Free Public Restroom Resources

For Parents:

For Kids:

How to Use These Resources

Every child is different, so you may need to experiment with different strategies to find what works best for your child.

A few simple ways to use these resources include:

1. Read the parent handout first.
Learn about the sensory experiences your child may encounter and choose a few strategies that seem appropriate for your child.

2. Introduce the social story before the experience.
Give your child time to look through the story without pressure. You can read it together more than once as the appointment gets closer.

3. Practice when possible.
For some experiences, practicing at home can make the real experience feel more familiar. For example, the haircut resource recommends practicing pretend haircuts before the actual appointment.

4. Offer choices when you can.
Small choices can give children a greater sense of predictability and control. Depending on the situation, this might mean choosing which stall to use, whether to wear headphones, or which comfort item to bring.

5. Celebrate effort, not perfection.
Trying something new can be a big accomplishment. Recognize your child’s effort and participation, even when the experience doesn’t go exactly as planned.

Looking for More Support?

If your child regularly struggles with sensory processing, daily routines, or participating in everyday activities, occupational therapy may be able to help. SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy provides pediatric occupational therapy, speech therapy, social skills, and more services at our three clinics around San Diego county in La Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Mission Valley, and virtually. Reach out to our team to learn whether OT may be a good fit for your child.

Back-to-School Readiness: Simple Ways to Support Your Child at Home and in the Classroom

Educational, Featured, General | 5 min read

Back-to-school season can bring a mix of excitement and nerves for both kids and parents. New classrooms, new teachers, earlier mornings, and changes in routine can take some getting used to.

Whether your child is starting preschool for the first time or heading back to a familiar classroom, there are simple things you can do at home to help make the transition easier.

And remember: school readiness isn’t just about ABCs and 123s. It’s also about communication, independence, social skills, and being able to participate in everyday routines.

1. Get Back Into a Routine

Summer schedules tend to be a little more relaxed. A week or two before school starts, begin shifting back toward a consistent bedtime, wake-up time, and morning routine.

Practice the things your child will need to do on school mornings, such as getting dressed, putting on shoes, brushing teeth, eating breakfast, and packing up their belongings.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s helping these routines feel familiar before the first day arrives.

2. Practice Following Directions

Classrooms involve lots of directions, often with several steps.

Look for opportunities throughout the day to practice simple directions. Instead of doing everything for your child, try giving them a chance to complete small tasks independently.

You might say, “Put your shoes on and then grab your backpack,” or “Put the blocks away and choose a book.”

For younger children, start with one-step directions and gradually build from there.

3. Encourage Independence

Being able to do small things independently can make a big difference in a child’s confidence at school.

Give your child opportunities to practice things like opening lunch containers, taking off a jacket, washing hands, using utensils, putting away belongings, or asking for help.

It may take a little longer than doing it yourself, but those extra minutes of practice can pay off once school starts.

4. Talk About School Before It Starts

Some children love talking about school. Others may feel nervous about the unknown.

Read books about starting school, talk about what their day might look like, and let them ask questions. If you know their teacher or classroom, looking at pictures ahead of time or visiting in person before the first day can help make the new environment feel more familiar.

Try to keep the conversation positive while also acknowledging that it’s okay to feel nervous, excited, or unsure.

5. Practice Social Skills Through Play

Young children learn many social skills naturally through play.

Give your child opportunities to practice taking turns, sharing, asking to join a game, listening to others, and handling small disagreements. Board games, pretend play, and playdates can all create opportunities to practice these skills in a low-pressure setting.

You don’t need to turn playtime into a lesson. A little practice goes a long way.

6. Don’t Forget About Sensory and Emotional Regulation

School can be a lot for a young child. There may be loud noises, unfamiliar smells, crowded hallways, different textures, and lots of people moving around.

If your child is sensitive to certain sounds, clothing, foods, or environments, think about what strategies help them feel comfortable and regulated at home. Make sure their teacher knows about any sensory needs that may affect their ability to participate.

It’s also helpful to practice simple ways to communicate feelings and ask for a break or help when things feel overwhelming.

7. Work on Communication

Being able to communicate with teachers and classmates is an important part of school readiness.

Encourage your child to practice asking for help, expressing what they need, answering questions, and telling you about their day. For younger children, even practicing phrases like “help please,” “my turn,” or “I don’t like that” can give them useful tools for communicating at school.

If you’re concerned about your child’s speech or language development, you don’t have to wait until school starts to seek guidance.

What If Your Child Isn’t Starting School Yet?

Back-to-school season can be a good reminder that early intervention doesn’t have to wait until preschool.

If you have concerns about your child’s development no matter what age, whether related to communication, motor skills, feeding, play, sensory processing, or other developmental milestones, it’s worth talking with your pediatrician or a qualified professional.

And for toddlers who aren’t in school yet, this time of year can be a great opportunity to take advantage of early morning appointments at SmallTalk while older children are back in the classroom.

Remember: School Readiness Isn’t a Checklist

Every child develops at their own pace. Some children may walk into their first day of preschool feeling completely comfortable, while others need more time and support adjusting to a new environment.

Focus on the skills your child is working on right now, celebrate their progress, and give them plenty of opportunities to practice through everyday routines and play.

If you’re concerned about your child’s development or feel they could benefit from additional support, SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy provides pediatric speech therapy and occupational therapy in San Diego, with ABA services coming soon. Our child-led, play-based approach supports children and families at our Mission Valley, La Mesa, and Scripps Ranch locations.

Ready to learn more? Contact us to schedule an evaluation.

What Is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)? Discover ABA the SmallTalk Way

ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis, Clinic, Educational, Featured, General, Therapy | 5 min read

What Is ABA, Really?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the science of how behavior works, applied to help children build skills that matter such as communicating a need or want, playing with a sibling or friend, tolerating a haircut, following a group instruction at school or during soccer practice, while reducing behaviors that get in the way of a child’s safety, learning, or connection. It’s not about reducing behaviors that are simply atypical.

At its core, ABA is the science of how people learn: why we do the things we do, and why we don’t. It breaks learning down into its smallest parts, which lets us understand exactly how an individual child is learning right now, and then teach them how to learn more effectively from the world around them.

Typically developing children are learning constantly, from the moment they wake up until the moment they go to bed, almost entirely by absorbing what’s happening around them. It’s why a child will pretend to put makeup on after watching their parent in the mirror, or why they pretend to make dinner after watching a parent make a meal, without being explicitly taught. 

Children with autism or other developmental disabilities often learn differently from that incidental, absorb-it-without-trying process, picking up fewer skills that way, not because something’s missing, but because their brains are wired to take in and process the world differently. ABA doesn’t try to override that; it helps build the skill of learning from the environment in a way that works with how this particular child’s brain already takes information in, by deliberately creating the same kinds of learning opportunities that would otherwise happen by accident.

In practice, that looks like:

  • A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) assessing a child’s current skills and the specific behaviors a family wants to build or reduce.
  • A written plan with measurable goals, not vague aspirations, but targets that can be tracked session over session.
  • Reinforcement, access to something meaningful to the child, used to build new skills, not punishment used to suppress old ones.
  • Ongoing data collection so the plan changes when the data says it should, rather than staying on autopilot.

Done well, ABA doesn’t look clinical or rigid; it looks like play. A child should be learning, laughing, and having fun for the entire session, because engagement is what makes new skills stick. Sessions are also meant to be intensive but relatively short-term: the goal isn’t years of dependence on therapy, it’s building skills quickly enough that a child gains the tools to keep learning on their own, long after sessions end.

Modern ABA has evolved significantly from its early, outdated practices. Today, quality care is defined by two core commitments: it is assent-based and neuroaffirming.

What “assent-based” actually means

Assent-based care means therapy is done with a child, not to them. Consent is continuous and moment-to-moment rather than a one-time formality. If a child turns away or shows distress, we honor that as vital communication, not a behavior to extinguish. We explicitly teach children to protest or ask for a break, ensuring every request is respected. True assent-based care measures success by the child’s partnership and engagement, never by compliance.

What “neuroaffirming” actually means

Neuroaffirming care recognizes autism as a natural human difference, not a deficit to fix. Our goals prioritize a child’s wellbeing and independence over social conformity. We honor self-regulation behaviors like sensory-seeking behaviors and value all forms of communication, whether spoken, AAC, or gestures, as inherently valid and meaningful.

What Is ABA the Smalltalk Way?

Most ABA companies are built around one discipline. A BCBA writes a behavior plan, a team of technicians implements it, and if your child also needs speech or occupational therapy, you’re the one coordinating between three separate providers, three schedules, and three offices that may never speak to each other.

Smalltalk is built differently, and the difference isn’t a slogan: it shows up in three concrete places.

1. One plan, not three

At an ABA-only provider, your BCBA writes a behavior plan without input from a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist, because there isn’t one on staff. At Smalltalk, the plan is built with input from ABA, speech, and OT before it’s finalized, so a communication goal and a behavior goal are never working against each other.

2. Staff who talk to each other on a schedule, not by accident

Ask an ABA-only provider how often your child’s therapist talks to your child’s outside speech or OT provider. Often the honest answer is “when a parent forwards an email.” At Smalltalk, the team meets on a recurring cadence about your child specifically, and that’s staffed as part of the job, not squeezed in.

3. One point of contact

When care is fragmented across providers, parents become the default project manager — relaying updates, resolving conflicting advice, deciding whose recommendation to follow when they disagree. Coordinated care means your family has one point of contact who can speak to the whole picture, not just their slice of it.

Learn More

Think ABA at SmallTalk might be right for your child? Fill out our interest list below and we will be in contact with you soon:

Toy Story 5 and Child Development: Why Play Still Matters

Featured, General, News | 3 min read

When Pixar announced that Toy Story 5 would focus on the battle between toys and technology, a lot of parents probably thought, “Yep, that’s a conversation we’re having at home too.”

Today’s kids are growing up with tablets, smartphones, streaming services, and educational apps at their fingertips. Technology isn’t going anywhere, and it certainly isn’t all bad. But (and it seems most professionals in this industry agree) there’s something screens can’t replace: play.

Why Play Is So Important

Play isn’t just how children have fun. It’s how they learn.

When a child builds a block tower, hosts a tea party, races toy cars, or creates an imaginary world with their favorite characters, they’re practicing important developmental skills without even realizing it.

Through play, children learn to:

  • Communicate and use language
  • Problem-solve
  • Develop social skills
  • Strengthen fine motor skills
  • Regulate emotions
  • Build creativity and imagination

That’s why play is such a big part of both speech and occupational therapy.

What Speech Therapists See

Many of the language skills we work on happen naturally during play.

Pretend play encourages children to:

  • Learn new vocabulary
  • Use longer sentences
  • Answer questions
  • Tell stories
  • Practice back-and-forth conversations

A toy kitchen or dollhouse often creates more opportunities for communication than a screen ever could.

What Occupational Therapists See

From an OT perspective, toys do much more than keep children entertained. Toys help build the foundational skills kids need for everyday life.

  • When a child builds with blocks, they’re developing hand strength, coordination, and problem-solving skills
  • Completing a puzzle supports visual perception and spatial awareness
  • Playing with Play-Doh strengthens the small muscles in the hands needed for tasks like buttoning clothes and holding a pencil
  • Coloring and painting help develop grasp, bilateral coordination, and visual-motor integration
  • Even sensory play, like digging through a sensory bin or playing with sand, can help children learn to process and respond to sensory information more effectively.

These skills may seem simple, but they’re the building blocks for everyday activities like getting dressed, feeding themselves, participating in school, and becoming more independent.

Is Technology Bad for Kids?

Not at all.

Technology can be educational, entertaining, and even helpful for communication. The goal isn’t to eliminate screens, it’s to make sure they don’t replace the experiences children need most.

Children learn best through:

  • Real-world interaction
  • Movement
  • Exploration
  • Problem-solving
  • Face-to-face communication

Those experiences simply happen more often during active play than passive screen time.

The Magic of Boredom

One thing technology has made rare is boredom.

But boredom isn’t a bad thing. When children aren’t immediately entertained, they’re forced to create, imagine, and problem-solve. A couch cushion becomes a fort. A cardboard box becomes a rocket ship. A stuffed animal becomes a classroom full of students.

Those moments of creativity are actually helping children build language, executive functioning, and flexible thinking skills.

The Takeaway

The debate in Toy Story 5 isn’t really about choosing toys over technology.

It’s about finding balance.

Technology has a place in childhood, but so do blocks, dolls, puzzles, art supplies, and all the simple toys that encourage imagination and connection.

At SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy, we see every day how powerful play can be. Whether we’re working on speech, feeding, sensory processing, motor skills, or social communication, play remains one of the best tools for helping children learn and grow.

So don’t be too quick to get rid of Woody and Buzz. They not only play a valuable role in your child’s development, but they might become a part of your child’s memories that last a lifetime!

8 Summer Activities That Support Speech, Language, and Development

Activities, Featured, General | 4 min read

Make the Most of Summer While Supporting Your Child’s Development

Summer brings longer days, family adventures, and a welcome break from the school-year routine. It also creates countless opportunities for children to build important developmental skills through play.

The good news? You don’t need expensive camps, complicated activities, or hours of structured learning to support your child’s growth during this break. Some of the best opportunities for speech, language, sensory, and motor development happen during everyday summer fun.

Whether you’re spending the day at the beach, playing in the backyard, or looking for ways to keep little ones engaged between activities, these therapist-approved ideas can help support your child’s development while making lasting summer memories.

1. Beach Treasure Hunts

A trip to the beach can become a language-rich learning experience.

Challenge your child to find items such as shells, seaweed, smooth rocks, or driftwood. As you explore, encourage them to describe what they find using words related to color, size, texture, and shape.

Skills supported:

  • Vocabulary development
  • Following directions
  • Descriptive language
  • Sensory exploration
  • Fine motor skills

For older children, create clues and have them problem-solve their way through a scavenger hunt.

2. Water Play

Whether it’s sprinklers, water tables, buckets, or squirt bottles, water play offers endless developmental opportunities.

Talk about concepts such as:

  • Full and empty
  • Pour and dump
  • More and less
  • Heavy and light

Children can practice requesting items, following directions, and learning new vocabulary while staying cool.

Skills supported:

  • Language development
  • Following directions
  • Sensory processing
  • Hand strength and coordination

3. Backyard Obstacle Courses

Obstacle courses are an occupational therapist favorite because they combine movement, problem-solving, and fun.

Use pool noodles, sidewalk chalk, cones, hula hoops, or household items to create challenges.

Have your child:

  • Jump over lines
  • Crawl under obstacles
  • Balance on a path
  • Toss bean bags into a target

Skills supported:

  • Gross motor coordination
  • Balance
  • Body awareness
  • Motor planning
  • Listening skills

Make it even more language-rich by having your child help create and explain the course.

4. Summer Story Time Outdoors

Take reading outside.

Whether you’re at the park, on a picnic blanket, or relaxing in the backyard, reading together helps strengthen language development and early literacy skills.

As you read:

  • Ask open-ended questions
  • Predict what might happen next
  • Discuss characters’ feelings
  • Connect the story to your child’s experiences

Research consistently shows that shared reading supports vocabulary, language development, and parent-child connection.

Skills supported:

  • Language comprehension
  • Vocabulary growth
  • Early literacy
  • Social-emotional development

5. Make Frozen Treats Together

Homemade popsicles or smoothies are a fun way to build skills while creating a summer snack.

Invite your child to help:

  • Follow directions
  • Measure ingredients
  • Stir and pour
  • Describe tastes and textures

Skills supported:

  • Sequencing
  • Following directions
  • Fine motor skills
  • Vocabulary development
  • Sensory exploration

Bonus: picky eaters may be more willing to explore new foods when they’re involved in making them.

6. Nature Walk Conversations

A simple walk can become a powerful communication activity.

Talk about what you see, hear, smell, and feel. Encourage your child to ask questions and make observations.

Try prompts like:

  • “What do you notice?”
  • “What do you think that bird is doing?”
  • “How does that flower feel?”

Skills supported:

  • Conversation skills
  • Expressive language
  • Attention and observation
  • Vocabulary development

7. Sidewalk Chalk Games

Sidewalk chalk isn’t just for drawing.

Try:

  • Writing letters or sight words
  • Drawing obstacle paths
  • Playing hopscotch
  • Practicing speech sounds with target words

For example, if your child is working on the /s/ sound, write summer-themed words such as “sun,” “sand,” and “swim.”

Skills supported:

  • Speech practice
  • Early literacy
  • Fine motor development
  • Gross motor movement

8. Pretend Summer Adventures

Pretend play is one of the best ways to support communication development.

Create a pretend:

  • Ice cream shop
  • Camping trip
  • Beach day
  • Lemonade stand

Children naturally practice conversation, problem-solving, social skills, and flexible thinking during imaginative play.

Skills supported:

  • Language development
  • Social communication
  • Executive functioning
  • Creativity

The Best Summer Learning Happens Through Play

Children learn best when they’re engaged, connected, and having fun. Summer doesn’t have to be packed with worksheets or structured activities to support development.

Simple moments spent talking, playing, reading, exploring, and moving together can have a lasting impact on your child’s communication, sensory processing, and motor skills.

At SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy, we love helping families find ways to build developmental skills into everyday routines. If you have questions about your child’s speech, language, sensory, or motor development, our team is always happy to help.

Looking for more ideas that support your kiddos growth without sacrificing fun? We have plenty! We hope your family enjoys a summer filled with sunshine, play, learning, and plenty of fun along the way.

Meet Our Bilingual Team Members at SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy

Featured, General, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy | 4 min read

Across our clinics in San Diego, SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy team members from a variety of backgrounds bring their languages, cultures, and personal experiences into the work they do every day. From therapists supporting children in their home language to administrative staff helping families navigate scheduling, paperwork, and questions with greater ease, bilingual communication helps create a more welcoming and inclusive experience for everyone who walks through our doors.

Our bilingual team members each use their language skills in different ways depending on their role at SmallTalk, but they all share a common goal: helping families feel seen, supported, and connected. Below, several members of our team share their personal backgrounds, the languages they speak, and how bilingualism shapes the work they do at SmallTalk every day.

Fab, Speech-Language Pathologist

My therapy approach recognizes caregivers as key to achieving goals and supporting the carryover of skills across environments. I can hold sessions in both English and Spanish and use the same strategies in both languages. By collaborating with the parents I embed the strategies based on family values, schedule, and culture. I prioritize each family’s unique needs by collaboratively identifying meaningful, functional goals that fit into daily routines. Beyond helping children reach their goals, I aim to ensure parents feel confident in their ability to support their child’s language development through on parent involvement and coaching as the language strategies benefit children regardless of the primarily language spoken.

Alexis R., Certified Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

My therapy style focuses on creating a supportive, engaging environment where children feel motivated and confident to learn while partnering closely with parents through regular feedback and functional strategies to use at home. I also support any primary languages when applicable, recognizing that bilingual development can strengthen a child’s overall speech and communication skills.

Nathalie-Rose, Speech-Language Pathologist

Hi, my name is Nathalie-Rose, and I am a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist! I speak both English and French. I am committed to providing child-centered, play-based, and neurodiversity-affirming therapy, and I enjoy building connections with my clients and their families. When working with children who speak French or have French-speaking family members, I incorporate this into my sessions by using French nursery rhyme songs, teaching vocabulary in both languages, and helping to facilitate communication. This approach helps eliminate language barriers during parent education, activity explanations, and overall treatment.

Danielle P., Occupational Therapist

I am a first-generation Vietnamese-American and grew up immersed in traditional Vietnamese culture. Growing up was a journey to understand my identity as a part of both cultures. I bring this background deeply into both my personal relationships and my clinical practice as an occupational therapist. I aim to provide client-centered, play-based, holistic therapy. My background has helped me to understand that each child is as much an individual as they are a part of their family, cultures, and friendships that impact how they react to their environment. Being bilingual has helped me support a child’s primary language and to better communicate with parents or older caregivers to promote continuation of care into the home setting.

Jennifer, HR

I grew up in Sweden, so Swedish is my first language and what I still use with my family. I began learning English early in school, as it’s a core part of the Swedish education system, and became fully fluent after moving to the U.S. at 20 as an au pair, where I was immersed in an English-speaking home. Since then, I’ve continued to strengthen my English through earning my bachelor’s degree in San Diego and using it daily in both professional and personal settings. At SmallTalk, I support our team through my role in Human Resources, and I appreciate the opportunity to connect with Swedish-speaking families when it arises, it’s always meaningful to be able to communicate in a shared native language.

What Do Speech-Language Pathologists Do? A Look Inside Pediatric Speech Therapy to Celebrate National Speech-Language-Hearing Month

Educational, Featured, General, Speech Therapy | 4 min read

Many of our families across San Diego county, in La Mesa, Mission Valley, and Scripps Ranch often ask what speech therapy really looks like and how to know if their child might benefit. This month is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, so it is the perfect time to highlight the role of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and the many ways they support children and families.

When most people think of speech therapy, they think of helping children pronounce words more clearly. While that’s certainly part of it, speech-language pathologists do much more. They support how children understand language, express themselves, interact socially, and even how they eat and drink safely.

At its core, speech therapy is about helping children connect with the world around them in a way that feels successful and meaningful.

What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do?

A speech-language pathologist is trained to evaluate and treat a wide range of communication and feeding challenges. For children, this often includes supporting:

  • Speech sound development, such as articulation and clarity
  • Language skills, including understanding and using words and sentences
  • Social communication, like taking turns, initiating interaction, and reading social cues
  • Early communication, including gestures, play, and first words
  • Feeding and oral motor skills when eating or drinking is difficult

Rather than focusing on just one skill, SLPs look at the whole picture of how a child communicates in their daily life.

What Does a Speech Therapy Session Look Like?

One of the most common questions parents have is, “What actually happens in a session?”

For young children, therapy rarely looks like sitting at a table doing drills. Instead, it’s play-based and interactive. An SLP might be on the floor playing with toys, reading a book, or engaging in a simple game while intentionally targeting communication goals.

A session may include:

  • Following the child’s lead in play to encourage communication
  • Modeling words, phrases, or sounds in a natural way
  • Creating opportunities for the child to request, comment, or interact
  • Expanding on what the child says to build longer phrases
  • Coaching parents on how to support these skills at home

For older children, sessions may become a bit more structured, but they are still designed to feel engaging and relevant. Activities might include conversation practice, storytelling, problem-solving tasks, or games that target specific speech and language goals.

No two sessions look exactly the same because therapy is always tailored to the individual child.

What Kinds of Children Can Speech Therapy Help?

Speech therapy supports a wide range of children, from toddlers just starting to talk to school-age children working on more complex communication skills.

SLPs commonly work with children who:

  • Are late to start talking or have a limited vocabulary
  • Have difficulty being understood by others
  • Struggle to follow directions or understand language
  • Experience frustration when trying to communicate
  • Have challenges with social interaction or play
  • Have diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, or speech sound disorders
  • Have feeding or oral motor difficulties

Some children may need short-term support, while others benefit from longer-term therapy as they continue to build and refine their skills.

Why Early Support Matters

Communication skills develop rapidly in the early years. When children receive support during this time, it can positively impact not just speech and language, but also confidence, behavior, and social connection.

Early therapy doesn’t mean something is “wrong.” It simply provides children with the tools and support they need to build strong foundations.

A Collaborative, Family-Centered Approach

At SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy, we see parents and caregivers as an essential part of the therapy process. Progress doesn’t just happen during a 30-45 minute session. It happens in everyday moments at home, during meals, playtime, and daily routines.

That’s why speech therapy often includes coaching and collaboration, helping families feel confident in supporting their child’s communication throughout the day.

Celebrating the Impact of SLPs

National Speech-Language-Hearing Month is a time to recognize the meaningful role SLPs play in helping children find their voice.

Every new word, every clearer sentence, every successful interaction builds toward something bigger: confidence, connection, and the ability to be understood.

If you’re wondering whether speech therapy might support your child, it’s always okay to ask. Sometimes a simple conversation can provide the clarity and reassurance you need.

At SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy, we’re proud to support families throughout San Diego County, with clinics in La Mesa, Mission Valley, and Scripps Ranch, as well as virtual therapy options for added flexibility. Give us a call to learn more about our speech therapy services.

How Occupational Therapy Supports Children with Autism: Building Skills for Everyday Life

Educational, Featured, Occupational Therapy | 5 min read

As we recognize Autism Acceptance Month and Occupational Therapy Month in April, it’s a meaningful time to celebrate each child’s unique strengths and the ways thoughtful support can help them grow. In fact, it’s the perfect opportunity to highlight how occupational therapy can play a meaningful role in helping children with autism thrive in their everyday lives.

Every child experiences the world differently. For children with autism, those differences can show up in how they communicate, play, process sensory input, and navigate daily routines. Occupational therapy helps bridge those gaps by building skills in a way that feels natural, supportive, and individualized to each child.

What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy focuses on helping children develop the skills they need for everyday life. For kids, that includes things like playing and interacting with others, managing daily routines like dressing and feeding, regulating emotions and attention, and participating in school and community activities

At its core, OT meets children where they are and helps them build the skills needed to participate more fully in their world.

How Can Occupational Therapy Support Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Children on the autism spectrum often benefit from occupational therapy in several key areas:

1. Sensory Processing and Regulation

Many children with autism experience the world in a more intense or different way. Sounds may feel louder, textures may feel uncomfortable, or movement may be either overwhelming or highly sought after.

OT helps children:

  • Better tolerate different sensory experiences
  • Develop coping strategies for overwhelming environments
  • Build regulation skills for calmer, more focused participation

This might look like creating a sensory-friendly routine, introducing calming strategies, or helping a child feel more comfortable with everyday experiences like haircuts or mealtimes.

2. Emotional Regulation and Transitions

Big emotions can be difficult for any child, but for children with autism, transitions and unexpected changes can feel especially challenging.

OT supports:

  • Flexible thinking
  • Transitioning between activities
  • Managing frustration and anxiety
  • Developing calming strategies that work for the child

Over time, these skills help children feel more confident and secure in their day-to-day routines.

3. Play and Social Participation

Play is how children learn. It’s also how they build communication, problem-solving, and social skills.

Occupational therapy helps children:

  • Engage in back-and-forth play
  • Explore imaginative and pretend play
  • Build joint attention and shared experiences
  • Increase comfort interacting with peers

These foundational skills often overlap with speech and language development, making collaboration between OT and speech therapy especially valuable.

4. Daily Living Skills

Independence looks different for every child, and OT supports progress in meaningful, functional ways.

This may include:

  • Dressing and grooming
  • Feeding and utensil use
  • Following routines
  • Participating in school tasks

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s helping children feel capable and confident in their everyday lives.

A Strengths-Based, Family-Centered Approach

At SmallTalk, we believe that therapy should support the whole child and their family. That means building on each child’s unique strengths while respecting their individual differences, and supporting parents with practical, real-life strategies that carry over beyond the therapy room.

Our goal is to create a positive, engaging experience where children feel comfortable, capable, and understood. Occupational therapy isn’t about changing who a child is. It’s about giving them the tools to navigate their world in a way that feels successful and empowering.

When to Consider Occupational Therapy

You might consider an OT evaluation if your child:

  • Has strong reactions to sounds, textures, or movement
  • Struggles with transitions or daily routines
  • Has difficulty with play or interacting with peers
  • Experiences frequent meltdowns or regulation challenges
  • Shows delays in self-help skills like feeding or dressing

Early support can make a meaningful difference in helping children build skills and confidence over time. At SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy, our occupational therapists work closely with families to create individualized, supportive plans that fit into real life, not just the therapy room.

If you’re wondering whether occupational therapy could support your child, we’re always here to talk it through. Give us a call at 619-647-6157 or email us at hello@smalltalkspeech.com. 

Community and Support

If you’re looking for ways to get involved or connect with other families in the San Diego community, local events like the Race for Autism hosted by the National Foundation for Autism Research (NFAR) are a wonderful place to start. Each year, this event brings together families and organizations in a supportive, family-friendly environment focused on connection and awareness. 

SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy participates each year and hosts a booth, and we always love the opportunity to meet families, answer questions, and connect outside of the clinic. Whether you’re new to the journey or have been part of the community for years, it’s a meaningful way to feel supported and connected.

Autism Acceptance Month is a time to build understanding and celebrate differences. Occupational Therapy Month is a time to recognize the impact of meaningful, skill-building support. Together, they highlight something important: With the right support, every child can grow, connect, and thrive.

Is Screen Time Affecting Your Child’s Speech Development? What Parents Should Know

Educational, Featured, News, Speech Therapy | 4 min read

Screens are part of modern parenting. Whether it’s a favorite show while you make dinner or an educational app during travel, most families use technology in some way. There’s no judgement here.

But many parents are starting to wonder:
Is screen time affecting my child’s speech, attention, or behavior?

If you’ve noticed shorter attention spans, fewer conversations, or meltdowns after turning off a device, you’re not imagining things. In the blog post below, we break down the research and give some tips on how to create a healthy balance that supports your child’s development.

What Do Experts Say About Screen Time?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends:

  • Avoiding screen media (except video chatting) for children under 18–24 months
  • Limiting screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programming with parental engagement for children ages 2–5
  • Age 5 years and older: No more than two hours a day, while engaging in conversation with a parent or family member about what is being viewed

These guidelines are based on growing research showing that early brain development depends heavily on interactive, real-world experiences.

How Screen Time Impacts Speech and Language Development

Young children learn language through real-life interaction, not just exposure to words.

Speech and language development relies on something called “serve and return” communication. This is the back-and-forth exchange that happens when:

  • Your child babbles and you respond
  • They point at something and you tell them what it is called
  • They ask a question and you answer and expand on it

These everyday moments build vocabulary, social skills, and comprehension.

Passive screen time (like watching videos alone) does not provide that same interactive feedback. Even high-quality educational content cannot replace real-time conversation.

Research shows that excessive passive screen use in toddlers may be associated with:

  • Delayed expressive language
  • Reduced vocabulary growth
  • Shorter attention spans
  • Fewer opportunities for imaginative play

That doesn’t mean all screens are harmful 100% of the time, but balance matters, especially in the early years when brain development is rapid.

Signs Screen Time May Be Affecting Your Child

Every child is different. Research shows that you may want to make some changes if you notice:

  • Limited back-and-forth conversation
  • Fewer spoken words than peers
  • Difficulty playing independently without a device
  • Meltdowns when turning screens off
  • Trouble transitioning between activities
  • Short frustration tolerance
  • Increased sensory seeking or dysregulation after screen use

Often, it’s not only about the screen itself, it’s about what screen time is replacing: movement, sensory input, social interaction, and creative play.

When to Consider a Speech or Occupational Therapy Evaluation

If you’re concerned that screen time may be masking or contributing to delays, trust your instincts.

You may benefit from a professional evaluation if your child:

  • Has fewer words than expected for their age
  • Struggles to combine words into phrases
  • Avoids conversation
  • Has difficulty regulating emotions
  • Shows attention or sensory challenges
  • Struggles with transitions off devices

Sometimes reducing screen time helps significantly. Other times, screen reliance highlights underlying speech, sensory, or regulation needs that would benefit from support.

Early intervention can make a meaningful difference.

You’re Not Alone, And You’re Not Doing It Wrong

Parenting in the digital age is complicated. Screens can be helpful tools, but they aren’t substitutes for interaction, movement, and play.

If you’re wondering whether your child’s communication, attention, or regulation skills are on track, getting clarity can bring peace of mind.

At SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy, our speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists take a family-centered approach. We help parents understand what’s typical, what may need support, and how to build strong developmental foundations in everyday routines.

Sometimes small changes lead to big growth.

If you have questions or would like to talk through your concerns, we’re here to help. Give us a call at 619-647-6157 or fill out the form below and we will get back to you within 24 hours.

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Serving all of
San Diego County
at three convenient
locations:

Scripps Ranch

12030 Scripps Summit Dr, Suite A
San Diego, CA 92131
Call: 619.647.6157
Fax: 858.997.2088

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Mission Valley

1550 Hotel Circle North, Suite 120
San Diego, CA 92108
Call: 619.647.6157
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La Mesa

7862 El Cajon Blvd., Suite 200
La Mesa, CA 91942
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Fax: 858.997.2088

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