The Language of Play - Kids that Listen, Speech Therapy, Language Development, Early Intervention

Hey Friends~ 

In this episode, we’re talking about communication in children with Down syndrome, genetic syndromes, and learning differences. I’ll share how cognition, memory, and learning style shape language development—and why repetition, consistency, and strength-based support make such a difference. This is about meeting kids where they are and building communication step by step.

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]

WEBSITE:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/

Have a question or comment? Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

253 When Communication Is Hard: An Overview for Parents of Children with Speech or Language Struggles, part 1

254 When Communication Is Hard: Childhood Apraxia of Speech CAS & Motor Speech Disorders, part 2

255 When Communication Is Hard: Speech Sound Disorders & Phonological Delays, part 3

257 When Kids Know More Than They Can Say: Expressive & Receptive Language Delays and DLD, part 4

259 When Communication Is Hard: Autism, ADHD, and Language Processing Differences, part 5

262 When Communication Is Hard: Does the Body Need Support? CP, Low Tone, AAC, part 6

 

WE’VE MADE IT EASY FOR YOU! 

Love this podcast?  Let us know!  https://lovethepodcast.com/play

Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play

Hey Friends~ 

“We never limit how she communicates—we grow with her in how she communicates.” ~Tamara Tuckson

In this episode, a mom and daughter share their journey with AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). Many parents feel unsure or even afraid of AAC, but this conversation gently reveals how it can uncover who a child truly is when their body makes speech difficult. You’ll hear real-life communication—including McKenzie voice talking to us with her AAC device—as this family invites us into their world.  You will hear the growth, how low tech and high tech are both used - still.  

Enjoy this empowering story that is sure to open your mind—and your heart—to new possibilities. 

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]

WEBSITE:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/

Have a question or comment? Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play

PLEASE VOTE!!  We are nominated for Women Podcasters Awards!!  

This is a VOTER’S CHOICE AWARD.
PLEASE VOTE for THE LANGUAGE OF PLAY in the CATEGORY : LIFESTYLE  PODCASTS https://www.womenpodcasters.com/awards

 

ABOUT THE GUEST:   Tamara and Mckenzie Tuckson are advocates, two time authors, and the founder of Mission 2 Advocate. Her journey began when her daughter, McKenzie, was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome at age two. What started as fear turned into purpose. Today, McKenzie is a thriving young adult, student leader, varsity cheerleader, and national trailblazer for inclusion—using AAC to advocate for teens with exceptional needs. Together, Tamara and McKenzie share their lived experience to educate, empower, and amplify voices in the disability community, proving that every person belongs and every voice matters.

CONTACT THE GUEST:   [email protected]

Mission2advocate.com  

Tamara’s Business on IG;  #mission2advocate  

Facebook:  #mckenziecantalk 

IG: #Mckenziespeaks21

 

YouTube Videos: 

 https://youtu.be/mv8nSJbml8c?si=0SthwUOlHiEl4-Qs. .https://youtu.be/uZCuurWR2pc?si=OgaTXRDMPh4pCV0G. https://youtu.be/vcqGd6KrwqE?si=wyiLroHEMhWla6pY

 

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

254 When Communication Is Hard: Childhood Apraxia of Speech CAS & Motor Speech Disorders, part 2

257 When Kids Know More Than They Can Say: Expressive & Receptive Language Delays and DLD, part 4

259 When Communication Is Hard: Autism, ADHD, and Language Processing Differences, part 5

262 When Communication Is Hard: Does the Body Need Support? CP, Low Tone, AAC, part 6

 

WE’VE MADE IT EASY FOR YOU! 

Love this podcast?  Let us know!  https://lovethepodcast.com/play

Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play

Hey Friends~ 

When the body works harder, communication often does too. In this episode, we’re talking about communication challenges related to low muscle tone, cerebral palsy, and AAC which  stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication 

We’ll look at how effort, fatigue, and positioning impact speech and more importantly, you will hear 3 stories how AAC supported  functional communication for kids that did not  have spoken communication.  Then come back next week so you can hear from a Mom along with her daughter who uses AAC. 

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]

WEBSITE:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/

Have a question or comment? Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play

PLEASE VOTE!!  We are nominated for Women Podcasters Awards!!  

This is a VOTER’S CHOICE AWARD.
PLEASE VOTE for THE LANGUAGE OF PLAY in the CATEGORY : LIFESTYLE  PODCASTS https://www.womenpodcasters.com/awards

 

 

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

253 When Communication Is Hard: An Overview for Parents of Children with Speech or Language Struggles, part 1

254 When Communication Is Hard: Childhood Apraxia of Speech CAS & Motor Speech Disorders, part 2

255 When Communication Is Hard: Speech Sound Disorders & Phonological Delays, part 3

257 When Kids Know More Than They Can Say: Expressive & Receptive Language Delays and DLD, part 4

259 When Communication Is Hard: Autism, ADHD, and Language Processing Differences, part 5

 

WE’VE MADE IT EASY FOR YOU! 

Love this podcast?  Let us know!  https://lovethepodcast.com/play

Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play

Hey Friends~ 

We are in the middle of the series “When Communication is hard” to discuss a topic that is just as important and impacts our kids.  That is—the strength of the parent relationship itself. Today’s conversation with Jan shifts the focus to how, when parents grow in connection and calm, it creates a foundation that helps even the most challenging behaviors begin to settle.

What if the key to calmer kids isn’t another parenting technique, but strengthening your relationship as a couple? Jan and I explore how to choose what’s both nice and necessary in stressful moments so connection isn’t lost when tension rises, and why putting the parent relationship first actually helps children feel more secure. You’ll hear simple ways to walk yourself through overwhelming moments so your calm and logic can “hold” your emotions, allowing you to respond with clarity instead of frustration. And throughout it all, we come back to gratitude, growth, and celebration—because when you begin to shift, even in small ways, your child often follows.

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]

Website:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/

Have a question or comment? Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play

PLEASE VOTE!!  We are nominated for Women Podcasters Awards!!  

This is a VOTER’S CHOICE AWARD.
PLEASE VOTE for THE LANGUAGE OF PLAY in the CATEGORY : LIFESTYLE  PODCASTS https://www.womenpodcasters.com/awards

 

ABOUT THE GUEST:   Married with kids can be a marriage wrecker. Jan knows it doesn’t have to be that way. Using her marriage and family knowledge and skills, she developed the pathway for new parents to stay together while parenting their kiddos and keeping their marriage relationship strong. She practiced this (with Chip) within their own marriage and family of 4 kids. The D of divorce was squashed. Their marriage and family turned into one filled with the A’s of appreciation and adoration. Being connected, communicating well and resolving confusion and conflicts is doable and even enjoyable while moving from Family Crazy to Family Calm with the DNA Way to Communicate.

CONTACT THE GUEST:   [email protected]

www.UsAndKids.com

https://instagram.com/Usandkids

https://www.facebook.com/usandkidspodcast

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jantalen

Bonus link will come in an email

 

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

257 When Kids Know More Than They Can Say: Expressive & Receptive Language Delays and DLD, part 4

259 When Communication Is Hard: Autism, ADHD, and Language Processing Differences, part 5

260 Melissa Schulz: Have A Strong-Willed, Highly Sensitive, or Neurodiverse Child?

 

WE’VE MADE IT EASY FOR YOU! 

Love this podcast?  Let us know!  https://lovethepodcast.com/play

Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

 

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play

Hey Friends~ 

In the last episode, part 5, we talked about ADHD, ASD and processing difficulties. In this episode we support that learning as we listen to a mom and coach talk about parenting some of these kids who are strong-willed, highly sensitive, and neurodiverse. Our conversation is full of examples of turning daily struggles into calmer, more connected moments.  

So if you have a child that pushes your buttons or can be difficult, you will feel empowered after listening to this episode.  

NEWS!!  We are nominated for Women Podcasters Awards!!  This is a listener-vote award.
PLEASE VOTE for THE LANGUAGE OF PLAY in the CATEGORY of LIFESTYLE 
https://www.womenpodcasters.com/language-of-play

 

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]

CHECKOUT THE WEBSITE!  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/

Have a question or comment? Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play

 

ABOUT THE GUEST:   Melissa Schulz, MS, BCBA, is a parenting coach and behavior analyst who helps parents of strong-willed, highly sensitive, and neurodiverse kids turn daily struggles into calmer, more connected moments using her proven processes. Melissa has been recognized as the "Best Parenting Coach in the United States for 2025" by Evergreen Awards.

CONTACT THE GUEST:   

www.melissaschulz.com

www.facebook.com/confidentlymommin

www.instagram.com/confidentlymommin

Free e-guide "How to Get Kids to Listen" : https://www.melissaschulz.com/free-guide

 

 

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

53 When Communication Is Hard: An Overview for Parents of Children with Speech or Language Struggles, part 1

254 When Communication Is Hard: Childhood Apraxia of Speech CAS & Motor Speech Disorders, part 2

255 When Communication Is Hard: Speech Sound Disorders & Phonological Delays, part 3

257 When Kids Know More Than They Can Say: Expressive & Receptive Language Delays and DLD, part 4
259 When Communication Is Hard: Autism, ADHD, and Language Processing Differences, part 5

 

WE’VE MADE IT EASY FOR YOU! 

Love this podcast?  Let us know!  https://lovethepodcast.com/play

Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

 

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play