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BMS Pediatric Therapy Blog
Additional information and resources for families throughout the Chicagoland Area!


Toddler Not Responding to Name? Causes and When to Get Help
You call your toddler's name. Nothing. You call again, louder. Still nothing, as if you aren't even in the room. It's a moment almost every parent has had, and it's usually harmless. Toddlers are busy, curious, and very good at tuning us out when something fascinating is happening. But when a toddler is not responding to their name most of the time, it can be one of the earliest clues that something else is going on. Here's what typical looks like, what can cause a child to m

Brittany M.
Oct 264 min read


Screen Time and Speech Delay: What Parents Need to Know
New research links heavy screen time to speech and language delays. Here's what it means for your child and what you can do today.

Brittany M.
Oct 213 min read


Signs of Autism in Girls: Why New Research Shows Girls Are Being Diagnosed Later
What if the signs of autism in girls have been there all along, but we have been looking for the wrong things? Imagine a young girl who earns good grades, follows classroom rules, and enjoys spending time with friends. Her teachers describe her as quiet, cooperative, and bright. Yet, at home, her parents notice that she struggles with unexpected changes, becomes overwhelmed after social interactions, and has difficulty expressing her emotions. Despite these challenges, no one

Brittany M.
Oct 186 min read


Sensory Friendly Halloween Tips: Supporting Your Child's Communication and Sensory Needs
Halloween is a lot. There are scratchy costumes, flashing lights, loud doorbells, strange smells, and a whole set of new words and social rules, like knocking, saying "trick or treat," and remembering to say "thank you" to someone you've never met. For many kids, that's pure fun. For kids with sensory or communication needs, it can feel like too much, too fast. October is also Sensory Processing Awareness Month, which makes it a great time to plan ahead. These sensory friendl

Brittany M.
Oct 34 min read


Speech Therapy for Toddlers: How to Know When Your Child May Need Help
If you have ever searched Google for “Why isn’t my toddler talking?” or “Does my child need speech therapy?” you are not alone. Parents often notice differences in their child’s communication long before anyone else does. Maybe your toddler is using fewer words than other children their age. Perhaps they become frustrated when they cannot tell you what they want. Or maybe you understand your child perfectly, but other people have difficulty understanding what they are saying.

Brittany M.
Sep 296 min read


Is My Child a Gestalt Language Processor? Echolalia, Scripting & Autism
If your child repeats lines from favorite shows, echoes questions instead of answering them, or uses phrases they have heard before in unexpected situations, you may have come across the term gestalt language processor. Gestalt Language Processing, commonly called GLP, has become a popular topic among parents, autism professionals, and speech-language pathologists. Social media has also brought increased attention to terms such as echolalia, scripting, and Natural Language Ac

Brittany M.
Sep 145 min read


Illinois Just Made It Easier to Get an Autism Diagnosis. Here's What Parents Should Know
If you're a parent in Illinois who has ever tried to get your toddler evaluated for autism, you already know the problem: the wait can stretch past a year, sometimes close to two. That delay isn't just frustrating; it can mean months or years without the early intervention services that make the biggest difference in a child's development. This July, Illinois took a major step toward fixing that. Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 5225 into law on July 10, 2026, a measure

Brittany M.
Jul 224 min read


Little People, Big Feelings: A Speech-Language Pathologist’s Guide for Parents
Tantrums can feel overwhelming. Learn why they happen, what’s developmentally expected, and how to support your child through big emotions.

Brittany M.
Jan 293 min read


Returning to School Routines After Winter Break Why Structure Matters for School Age Children
School breaks provides children with valuable time to rest, reconnect with family, and step away from the daily structure of school. While this pause is healthy and often necessary, many families notice that returning to routines after the break can feel challenging. Later bedtimes, relaxed mornings, and flexible schedules can make the transition back to school expectations more difficult than anticipated. Re establishing routine after winter break is not simply about organiz

Brittany M.
Jan 124 min read


Why We Pressed Pause on Blogging and How It Strengthened Our Pediatric Speech Therapy Practice
After a year focused on care and growth, learn how reflection, wellness, and purpose strengthened our pediatric speech therapy services and leadership.

Brittany M.
Jan 33 min read


10 Fun Winter Break Activities in Chicagoland to Boost Your Child's Speech and Language Skills
This guide is a fun and engaging way to book speech!

Brittany M.
Dec 16, 20245 min read


Building Bridges: The Power of Family-SLP Collaboration for Student Success
A guide on the importance of effective collaboration to improve student success.

Brittany M.
Sep 7, 20244 min read


Creating Effective Routines for the School Year: A Pathway to Academic and Speech-Language Success
Five steps to create routines that improve academic success.

Brittany M.
Sep 1, 20243 min read


Unlocking communication: The Power of AAC in Everyday Life
As a speech-language pathologist, one of my greatest joys is witnessing the moment a child finds their voice. For some, this journey...

Brittany M.
Mar 18, 20242 min read


Five Language-Rich Spring Break Activities for Children to Explore in Chicago
As a pediatric speech pathologist, I often encourage parents to intertwine language and literacy development with everyday adventures....

Brittany M.
Mar 11, 20243 min read


Unwrapping the Gift of Speech: Tech-Free Christmas Gifts Ideas For Speech and Language Development
The holiday season is a time of joy, festivities, and gift-giving. As parents and caregivers, we often find ourselves navigating the toy aisles in search of the perfect gifts for our little ones. In recent years, the allure of high-tech toys has grown, but it's crucial not to overlook the importance of tech-free toys in fostering language development, especially during the magical Christmas season. The Impact of Tech-Free Toys on Language Development Research consistently hig

Brittany M.
Dec 15, 20233 min read


Embracing Diversity: Celebrating Cultural Similarities and Differences During the Holiday Season
Beyond the festive decorations and delicious meals, the holidays provide a golden opportunity to enrich your child's language development.

Brittany M.
Dec 8, 20233 min read


There’s An App For That! The Role of Speech Therapy Apps and the Expertise of Speech Pathologists
Let's explore the rise in the use of speec therapy apps.

Brittany M.
Nov 30, 20233 min read


Mastering Success: The Key Role of Routines in Children's Academic Achievement
As a speech pathologist with a passion for nurturing young minds, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of routines on children's academic success. In today's fast-paced world, establishing consistent routines might seem like a simple task, but its impact on a child's cognitive and educational development cannot be underestimated. Research in the field echoes this sentiment, illuminating the profound benefits that structured routines can bring to children's live

Brittany M.
Aug 24, 20233 min read


Fostering Inclusion: The Empowering Impact of "Push-In" Services for Neurodivergent Students
What is Inclusion? Inclusive education is a transformative approach that embraces the diversity of learners and seeks to provide equal opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities. One effective practice within inclusive education is the utilization of push-in services, where specialized support professionals collaborate with general education teachers to assist students with disabilities within the regular classroom setting. There is compelling research

Brittany M.
Aug 4, 20234 min read
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