Speech, Screens & Kids: What Parents Should Know | Denise Ford

Pediatric speech-language pathologist Denise Santos Ford, M.S., CCC-SLP joins Pixel Parenting to demystify what SLPs actually do, how screen time intersects with social-emotional and language development, and practical, evidence-aligned ways parents can use tech, together with their kids, to spark more words. We also talk AAC devices, video-modeling, telehealth vs. in-person therapy, ultrasound biofeedback for tricky sounds, and emerging AI tools that may support home practice.

Speech, Screens & Kids: What Parents Should Know | Denise Ford

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Show Notes

Episode Summary

Pediatric speech-language pathologist Denise Santos Ford, M.S., CCC-SLP joins Pixel Parenting to demystify what SLPs actually do (far beyond “fixing R’s”), how screen time intersects with social-emotional and language development, and practical, evidence-aligned ways parents can use tech—together with their kids—to spark more words. We also talk AAC devices, video-modeling, telehealth vs. in-person therapy, ultrasound biofeedback for tricky sounds, and emerging AI tools that may support home practice.

What We Cover

  • What SLPs treat beyond articulation and stuttering: phonology, motor planning/apraxia, social-pragmatic language, literacy (reading/writing), cognition, and feeding/swallowing.
  • What research suggests about screen exposure, social-emotional development, and why co-viewing with a caregiver matters.
  • Turning apps and shows into language prompts (not babysitters): used together to model vocabulary, emotions, and conversation.
  • Assistive tech & AAC: giving kids a voice while speech develops; when and how SLPs trial apps/devices.
  • Home practice that sticks: video-modeling, self-monitoring, and level-by-level targets.
  • Telehealth vs. in-person: what works, what’s harder, and the role of caregiver coaching.
  • Tools for tricky sounds: delayed auditory feedback, visual meters, and ultrasound to “see” the tongue for /k, g, r/.
  • AI on the horizon: supervised home practice and feedback loops from university research teams.

Denise’s Practical Tips (Quick Wins)

  • Co-view and narrate: pause, label feelings, predict, and relate on-screen moments to your child’s day.
  • Use apps together as conversation starters (not solo time): describe, compare, decide, and reflect.
  • Match the practice level: at home, stay one level below what the SLP is targeting to ensure success and carryover.
  • Try video-modeling: record, rewatch, notice small mouth-movement tweaks, then try again.

Resources & Links Mentioned

  • Toca Boca — https://tocaboca.com/
  • Toca Boca World – App Store — https://apps.apple.com/us/app/toca-boca-world/id1208138685
  • Toca Boca World – Google Play — https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tocaboca.tocalifeworld
  • ABCya — https://www.abcya.com/
  • ABCya – Google Play — https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abcya.android.games
  • PBS KIDS Games Hub — https://pbskids.org/games
  • PBS KIDS – Home — https://pbskids.org/
  • Boom Learning (Boom Cards) — https://www.boomlearning.com/
  • Speech Blubs — https://speechblubs.com/
  • Speech Blubs – App Store — https://apps.apple.com/in/app/speech-blubs-language-therapy/id1239522573
  • Speech Blubs – Google Play — https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.blubblub.app.speechblubs
  • Articulation Station (Little Bee Speech) — https://littlebeespeech.com/articulation_station.php
  • Articulation Station Hive – App Store — https://apps.apple.com/us/app/articulation-station-hive/id1485607474
  • Bla Bla Bla – App Store (sound‑reactive) — https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bla-bla-bla/id430815432
  • Ultimate SLP — https://www.ultimateslp.com/
  • Learning Ally (audiobooks for dyslexia) — https://learningally.org/
  • ASHA – American Speech‑Language‑Hearing Association — https://www.asha.org/
  • Syracuse University – Speech Production Research Lab — https://speechproductionlab.syr.edu/
  • Speech Motor Chaining (research site) — https://chaining.syr.edu/
  • Rachel – Songs for Littles (YouTube) — https://www.youtube.com/@msrachel
  • Dora the Explorer – Nickelodeon — https://www.nickanimation.com/content/dora-the-explorer/
  • Mickey Mouse Clubhouse – Disney+ — https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-eb0bb177-6278-48ec-902d-4efb916a7a39
  • Gabby’s Dollhouse – Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81009946
  • Child Development Center of Marin (Speech Marin) — https://www.speechmarin.com/
  • Denise Santos Ford – LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-santos-ford-slp

 

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