Beyond Words: Using Observations to Guide Early Intervention Artwork

All Things SLP

Are you a speech-language pathologist overwhelmed with ALL THE THINGS? Well friend, you're not alone! Our field is insanely vast and we cannot be expected to know it all. Erin Larsen, a pediatric speech-language pathologist has made it her MISSION to provide SLPs with the knowledge and tools to feel confident no matter what walks through your door. Each Wednesday, join Erin as she drops little knowledge nuggets aimed to help you provide better assessment and intervention, all while reducing the overwhelm. If you're a speech therapist and want to up your speech therapy game, this podcast is for you.

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All Things SLP

Beyond Words: Using Observations to Guide Early Intervention

March 18, 2025 • Erin Larsen of Speech Tea • Season 1 • Episode 26

Welcome back to All Things SLP! In this episode of our Early Intervention series, we’re focusing on one of the most powerful diagnostic tools in speech therapy—observations.

Before we dive into formal assessments or therapy, we need to watch, listen, and analyze. How is the child communicating across different settings? What subtle cues—gestures, vocalizations, or interactions—give insight into their skill level? These small but crucial details tell us where to start and how to move forward.

We’ll also break down prelinguistic skills, the foundation for verbal language, and discuss how explaining these to parents builds essential buy-in for therapy. Plus, I’ll share a free handout (linked below) to help you track and assess these skills.

If you’ve ever felt stuck with a client, observations may be the missing piece. Tune in now, and join me next week as we explore differential diagnosis in EI!

FREE BUILDING BLOCKS HANDOUT

EI COURSE $50 OFF COUPON CODE: PODCAST

The Speech Therapy Toolbox Membership
Early Intervention Academy course for SLPs

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