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Hey Friends~  Have you ever found yourself thinking, "Why isn't my child listening?" Or wondering why they can do something one day but seem completely unable the next? Before we assume it's defiance…

Hey Friends~  Have …

Hey Friends~  Have you ever found yourself thinking, "Why isn't my child listening?" Or wondering why they can do something one day but seem completely unable the next? Before we assume it's defiance, laziness, or a bad attitude, what if we asked a different question: What if communication is what's hard? For the past three months, we've been exploring the many ways communication can get disrupted—both in understanding and in expressing. Today, I'm bringing the whole series together so you can see the big picture and walk away with practical ideas to help your child communicate with greater…

Hey Friends~  Your child hears you say something... but did they actually get the message?  Sometimes communication breaks down because children can't fully access language. It may be hearing loss, …

Hey Friends~  Your …

Hey Friends~  Your child hears you say something... but did they actually get the message?  Sometimes communication breaks down because children can't fully access language. It may be hearing loss, difficulty processing information, speech delays, or simply not yet having the words they need. In today's episode in the series When Communication is Hard, we're exploring how access impacts communication and why one surprisingly powerful tool—sign language—can help many children, not just those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Join me and special guest Tracie as we talk about reducing frustr…

Hey Friends~  Some kids can talk—but don’t in certain situations. Maybe they suddenly go silent at school, church, or around other people. In this episode of our When Communication Is Hard series…

Hey Friends~  Some …

Hey Friends~  Some kids can talk—but don’t in certain situations. Maybe they suddenly go silent at school, church, or around other people. In this episode of our When Communication Is Hard series, we’re talking about selective mutism and Anxiety-based communication challenges. These children may have the words, know what they want to say, and still feel unable to access their voice in certain situations. We’ll look at what may be happening beneath the silence, why pressure backfires and makes talking harder, and how safety, predictability, and connection gently support speech over tim…

Hey Friends~  Most of us don’t remember what it felt like to learn language for the very first time as young children. We focus so much on letters, books, and what children see—but are we overtra…

Hey Friends~  Most …

Hey Friends~  Most of us don’t remember what it felt like to learn language for the very first time as young children. We focus so much on letters, books, and what children see—but are we overtraining eyes while undertraining ears? After experiencing a brain injury that forced her to relearn language from the beginning, today’s guest, Emily Cadiz, gained a life-changing understanding of what it truly feels like to struggle with communication and learning. As a music professional already working in special education, she turned to music during her recovery to help regain movement, speech…

Hey Friends~  If you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s mouth breathing, poor Sleep, unclear speech, or constant frustration could mean something deeper… this episode is for you. Today, I’…

Hey Friends~  If yo…

Hey Friends~  If you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s mouth breathing, poor sleep, unclear speech, or constant frustration could mean something deeper… this episode is for you. Today, I’m talking with Luba Patlakh about tongue ties, Therapy, when parents should seek help, and what real support looks like—whether surgery is involved or not.  We also talk about practical communication strategies and how families can advocate for the care their children truly need. This conversation is eye-opening, hopeful, and full of practical next steps for parents.  Always cheering you on! …

Hey Friends~  Many parents think reading begins with letters, flashcards, and sounding out words. But the foundation for reading actually begins much earlier—through listening, sound play, hearing …

Hey Friends~  Many …

Hey Friends~  Many parents think reading begins with letters, flashcards, and sounding out words. But the foundation for reading actually begins much earlier—through listening, sound play, hearing sound patterns, understanding language, building vocabulary, and everyday conversation. So whether you have a toddler and want to give them the strongest start possible… or you have an older child who struggles with reading and you’ve wondered, “What are we missing?” …this episode is going to shed light on important skills that might need to be fortified. Today, I’m joined by speech la…

Hey Friends~  When communication changes or a child suddenly loses words after a seizure, brain injury, pediatric Stroke, or regression, it can leave families feeling scared, confused, and unsure wha…

Hey Friends~  When …

Hey Friends~  When communication changes or a child suddenly loses words after a seizure, brain injury, pediatric stroke, or regression, it can leave families feeling scared, confused, and unsure what to do next. In this episode, we talk openly about what these communication changes can look like, what helps the brain heal, and how parents can support their child without adding pressure during already difficult moments. You’ll hear why safety, connection, play, and emotional regulation matter so much in helping children rebuild communication and confidence. This episode is part of Better Sp…

Hey Friends~  In this episode, we’re talking about communication in children with Down syndrome, genetic syndromes, and learning differences. I’ll share how cognition, memory, and learning style …

Hey Friends~  In th…

Hey Friends~  In this episode, we’re talking about communication in children with Down syndrome, genetic syndromes, and learning differences. I’ll share how cognition, memory, and learning style shape language development—and why repetition, consistency, and strength-based support make such a difference. This is about meeting kids where they are and building communication step by step. Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected] WEBSITE:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/ Have a question or comment? Leave a voice message!  https://cast…

Hey Friends~  “We never limit how she communicates—we grow with her in how she communicates.” ~Tamara Tuckson In this episode, a mom and daughter share their journey with AAC (Augmentative and …

Hey Friends~  “We…

Hey Friends~  “We never limit how she communicates—we grow with her in how she communicates.” ~Tamara Tuckson In this episode, a mom and daughter share their journey with AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). Many parents feel unsure or even afraid of AAC, but this conversation gently reveals how it can uncover who a child truly is when their body makes speech difficult. You’ll hear real-life communication—including McKenzie voice talking to us with her AAC device—as this Family invites us into their world.  You will hear the Growth, how low tech and high tech are bot…

Hey Friends~  When the body works harder, communication often does too. In this episode, we’re talking about communication challenges related to low muscle tone, cerebral palsy, and AAC which  sta…

Hey Friends~  When …

Hey Friends~  When the body works harder, communication often does too. In this episode, we’re talking about communication challenges related to low muscle tone, cerebral palsy, and AAC which  stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication  We’ll look at how effort, fatigue, and positioning impact speech and more importantly, you will hear 3 stories how AAC supported  functional communication for kids that did not  have spoken communication.  Then come back next week so you can hear from a Mom along with her daughter who uses AAC.  Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT t…

Hey Friends~  We are in the middle of the series “When Communication is hard” to discuss a topic that is just as important and impacts our kids.  That is—the strength of the parent relationshi…

Hey Friends~  We ar…

Hey Friends~  We are in the middle of the series “When Communication is hard” to discuss a topic that is just as important and impacts our kids.  That is—the strength of the parent relationship itself. Today’s conversation with Jan shifts the focus to how, when parents grow in connection and calm, it creates a foundation that helps even the most challenging behaviors begin to settle. What if the key to calmer kids isn’t found in another parenting technique, but in strengthening your relationship as a couple? In this conversation, JanTalen and I explore how parents can decide what�…

Hey Friends~  In the last episode, part 5, we talked about ADHD, ASD and processing difficulties. In this episode we support that learning as we listen to a mom and coach talk about parenting some of…

Hey Friends~  In th…

Hey Friends~  In the last episode, part 5, we talked about ADHD, ASD and processing difficulties. In this episode we support that learning as we listen to a mom and coach talk about parenting some of these kids who are strong-willed, highly sensitive, and neurodiverse. Our conversation is full of examples of turning daily struggles into calmer, more connected moments.   So if you have a child that pushes your buttons or can be difficult, you will feel empowered after listening to this episode.   NEWS!!  We are nominated for Women Podcasters Awards!!  This is a listener-vote award. PLEA…