In this episode of The Speech Space Podcast, we share practical behavioral interventions and evidence-based strategies to help SLPs manage challenging behaviors in the speech room. Learn how to use positive supports, function-based assessment, and proactive techniques to create calm, engaging, and productive therapy sessions.

This episode explores practical communication techniques that help SLPs build strong, trusting rapport with students and clients. Jessica discusses why harsh, punishment-based communication often backfires, and offers evidence-informed strategies that foster connection, collaboration, and emotional safety. Listeners will leave with clear, actionable tools to strengthen therapeutic relationships and improve session outcomes.

The episode explores what SLPs need to know about childhood cancer. Its goal is to function as a broad introduction to this topic, primarily for SLPs who work in educational settings. The episode begins with some childhood cancer basics, including the most common types of pediatric cancers, as well as an overview of childhood cancer symptoms. The episode then examines the different ways in which childhood cancer can impact different facets of communication, including articulation, cognition, language, voice, hearing, and swallowing. The episode emphasizes the importance of collaboration when working with this population, and closes with a reminder that SLPs from educational settings have valuable support to offer children and families who have been impacted by cancer.