“I keep repeating myself, but he’s not listening.” “She can’t sit still to finish a snack, let alone homework.” “He starts something but walks off halfway.” If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone — attention challenges are one of the most common concerns parents and teachers raise. But before assuming a child is simply “not trying,” it’s helpful to understand that attention isn’t just one skill . In fact, there are six different types of attention  — and each plays a unique role in...

In my years working as a speech pathologist, I’ve seen time and again how closely communication and emotional regulation are intertwined. For children—especially those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or language delays—being able to understand and express their emotions is not only important for their wellbeing, but also for their relationships, learning, and overall behaviour. Many people associate speech pathology solely with talking, but our scope goes much deeper. We support children...

"Why my kids are still falling behind?" As a speech therapist, I often witness how small delays in early language development can snowball into larger academic and social challenges over time. This pattern is known as the Matthew Effect —a concept that describes how "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer." The early advantages tend to grow over time. In language development, it means children who start with strong language skills tend to progress faster, while those with delays can fall...