Love Languages: Fostering Social Communication in Kids with Delays

Ah, February—the month of love, candy hearts, and teaching kids that saying “I wuv you” is just as meaningful as the real deal. But beyond Valentine’s cards and chocolates, this season is the perfect time to focus on what really connects us: communication. For kids with speech and language delays, social communication can be tricky, but with the right support, they can learn to express love and build meaningful relationships in their own special way.

Love Languages & Social Communication: More Than Just Words

Love languages aren’t just for couples—kids have them too! Whether through words, touch, quality time, acts of service, or gifts (yes, those scribbled-on construction paper hearts count!), children express love in different ways. But when a child struggles with communication, these expressions can get lost in translation. That’s where speech therapy comes in!

At Speech & Swallowing Specialists of KC, we help children find their unique voice—whether through spoken words, gestures, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), or even safe and confident eating (because sharing a Valentine’s treat should be fun, not stressful!). If you’ve been searching for the best speech therapists in KC, you’re in the right place!

The Heart of the Matter:

Social Communication in Action

Social communication is more than just talking; it’s understanding facial expressions, body language, turn-taking, and the ever-important skill of knowing when to say, “Wow, that’s so interesting!” (even when it’s not). For children with speech and language delays, these skills don’t always come naturally, but with the right support, they can blossom.

Our therapy approach includes:

- Pragmatic Play – Helping kids learn the back-and-forth dance of conversation through interactive play.

- Expressing Emotions – Teaching children to name and recognize their own feelings and the feelings of others.

- Building Confidence – Empowering kids to speak up, engage with peers, and participate in social settings.

Don’t Wait for Cupid’s Arrow—Book an Evaluation Today!

If you’re wondering whether your child could benefit from speech therapy, now is the perfect time to take action. Delays in social communication can impact friendships, learning, and confidence—but early intervention can change the game! Whether you're looking for the best pediatric speech therapist , expert or swallowing clinic near you, our team, led by Jen Hurst, is here to help your child thrive.

Ready to take the next step? Book an evaluation today and let’s help your little one find their own way to say “I love you” this Valentine’s season. Because every child deserves to feel heard, understood, and connected.

💗 Contact Speech & Swallowing Specialists of KC today! 💗

Inside Our Home-Based Autism Diagnostics Clinic: What to Expect with CHAT KC

When it comes to getting answers about your child’s development, we know how stressful the process can be. That’s why we’ve designed our home-based autism diagnostics clinic to be as convenient, thorough, and supportive as possible. Partnering with Bloom Pediatrics, our program brings together compassionate experts and evidence-based practices—right to your doorstep. Here’s a step-by-step look at what you can expect.

Step 1: Fill Out an Intake Form

Before we meet, we need to get to know your child—and no one knows them better than you! Our intake form is designed to gather detailed information about your child’s communication, social skills, behavior, and any specific concerns you may have. This helps our team determine what kind of evaluation is necessary and ensures we tailor the experience to your child’s unique needs.

TIP: Don’t hold back! Share as much as you can—the more we know, the better we can help.

Step 2: Schedule Your In-Home Evaluation

Say goodbye to long clinic wait times and unfamiliar exam rooms! We’ll come directly to your home with our expert team: a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA), an occupational therapist (OT), and a speech-language pathologist (SLP). Our evaluation includes the ADOS-2, a gold-standard assessment tool for autism.

Expect the session to last up to 120 minutes. We use play-based interactions, structured tasks, and natural observations to gather a comprehensive understanding of your child’s strengths and challenges.

Step 3: Schedule a Physician Exam

Your child’s health is an important part of the diagnostic puzzle. If your child hasn’t seen their primary care physician in the last year, you’ll need to schedule a physical exam. Good news: our program includes a physician visit, or you can opt to see your own doctor—whichever works best for you.

Step 4: Review Results with Our Team

After we’ve gathered all the information, our team meets to review the findings. We look at everything holistically to make an informed diagnosis. Then, it’s time to sit down with you—either virtually or in person—to discuss the results, share a recommended action plan, and answer any questions you may have.

We also make it a priority to collaborate with your child’s healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care.

Flexible Pricing Options

We believe every family should have access to the support they need. That’s why we offer three pricing options to fit a variety of budgets. Transparency is key, and we’ll walk you through your choices so you can select the option that best meets your family’s needs.

Why Families Love Our Home-Based Model

- Convenience: No travel. No waiting rooms. Your child stays comfortable in their own environment.

- Comprehensive Expertise: A multidisciplinary team brings a well-rounded perspective.

- Personalized Service: Every evaluation is tailored to the unique needs of your child.

At Speech & Swallowing Specialists of KC, we’re not just providing a service—we’re partnering with you to support your child’s growth and development. Ready to get started? Let’s bring the answers to you—because your time, your family, and your peace of mind matter.

Reflecting on 2024: Our Top Moments and Achievements

What a year it’s been! As we close the chapter on 2024, we can’t help but celebrate the incredible milestones we’ve achieved together with our clients, team, and community. Here’s a highlight reel of the moments that made our year unforgettable:

1. Connecting Face-to-Face: We brought the expertise to vendor fairs across Kansas City, meeting families and professionals who are as passionate about communication and swallowing health as we are. From Lenexa to Lee's Summit, we traveled the metro to spread awareness of in-home mobile services.

   

   
   

2. Expanding to the Northland: This year, we extended our reach to Kansas City’s Northland, ensuring more families could access our in-home services—because convenience shouldn’t be a luxury. Our SLPs now travel to North Kansas City, Claycomo, Gladstone, Parkville, and Smithville. We are looking forward to accepting new patients of all ages with the start of 2025.

   
   

3. Strengthening Our Team: We onboarded three rockstar speech-language pathologists who bring expertise, compassion, and innovation to every session. We are so proud to welcome Makenzie Anderson, Ashlan Martin, and Cassidy Johnson to our team! SaSS KC provides SLPs in the KC area with the opportunity to choose their own schedules, explore whatever avenues their heart desires, and maintain a great work/life balance.

   
   
   

   

   
   
   

4. Professional Development on the Horizon: We began crafting professional development courses, set to launch in 2025, because learning never goes out of style. Our courses are for SLP professionals from all backgrounds; we aim to additionally provide education for family members and related healthcare professionals as our program expands.

   
   

5. Endless Client Success Stories: From first words to smoother swallows, our clients—both pediatric and adult—achieved incredible growth this year. Their victories are the reason we do what we do.

   
   

6. A Fresh Online Look: We gave our website a glow-up, making it easier than ever for families and professionals to connect with us and access resources.

   
   

Looking back, we’re grateful for the memories, milestones, and, of course, the amazing people we’ve had the privilege to serve. Here’s to making 2025 even more impactful—because with your support, the sky’s the limit!

What was your favorite moment with us in 2024? Let us know in the comments or connect with us online!