More Than Words is for parents and people working with children who notice that their child is struggling to keep up with their peers, be it academically, socially, or emotionally. In each episode, we share resources, guidance, and a sense of assurance on the path to helping your child.
Episodes
Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
Starting a conversation with your child’s school can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure how your concerns will be received. In this episode, we talk with Meg Shah about how parents can approach school communication in a way that builds trust, clarity, and true collaboration from the very beginning.
Meg shares practical strategies and real-life language parents can use to communicate concerns without creating defensiveness. From writing your first email to navigating moments when conversations feel stalled, this episode focuses on how to partner with your child’s school in a proactive, solution-oriented way.
If you’ve ever worried about saying the “wrong” thing, being perceived as “that parent,” or not knowing how to move a conversation forward, this episode will give you the tools and confidence to advocate effectively while maintaining strong relationships with your child’s educators.
What You’ll Learn
- How to recognize early signs your child may be struggling at school
- Why kids can present differently at home versus in the classroom
- Common reasons parents hesitate to reach out to schools
- What to say in your first email to a teacher (with specific examples)
- How to respond when a school says “we’re not seeing that”
- Ways to keep conversations collaborative instead of adversarial
- How to break big concerns into small, actionable steps
- Mindset shifts that make parent–school communication more effective
More about Meg
Meg Shah is the Founder and CEO of MVS Educational Services, where she supports families and schools in building collaborative, student-centered plans. With over a decade of experience in education, Meg has worked as a teacher, special educator, and school leader within the DC charter school system. She also brings a unique background in law, which informs her structured, solution-oriented approach to advocacy. Meg specializes in helping parents navigate early concerns, communicate effectively with schools, and create actionable plans that support both academic and social-emotional growth. She is passionate about shifting conversations from reactive to proactive so children can thrive.
Links & Resources
Meg Shah
Website: www.mvsed.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mvs.ed/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-shah-mvsed/
Make sure to subscribe and follow us on social media so you never miss an episode!
Wednesday Apr 15, 2026
Wednesday Apr 15, 2026
When parents are overwhelmed, stressed, or running on empty, it does not just affect them. It impacts the entire family dynamic. In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, we sit down with therapist Stephanie Kaiser to talk about a topic that often gets overlooked: parent mental health.
Instead of focusing only on strategies for children, this conversation shifts the lens back to the parent. Stephanie shares why taking care of your own mental health is one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s emotional development, behavior, and overall well-being. We also break down what therapy actually looks like, how change happens, and where parents can realistically start.
If you have ever felt burnt out, reactive, or unsure how to better support your child, this episode offers both reassurance and practical next steps.
What You’ll Learn
- Why parent mental health directly impacts child behavior and development
- How stress and burnout show up in parenting moments
- What actually happens in therapy and how it creates change
- Common patterns parents fall into without realizing it
- How to respond differently when you feel overwhelmed
- Realistic ways to start prioritizing your mental health
- The connection between self-regulation and your child’s regulation
- A simple mindset shift that can reduce stress at home
About the Guest
Stephanie Kaiser is a psychotherapist who works with adults, with a focus on supporting parents as they navigate stress, emotional regulation, and personal growth. Drawing from her background in child and adolescent mental health, she helps parents better understand how their own experiences, habits, and emotional patterns influence their children. Stephanie is passionate about making therapy feel accessible and helping families create healthier, more supportive environments by starting with the parent.
Links & Resources
If this episode helped you see your role as a parent in a new way, please subscribe, rate, and review on your podcast platform. It helps other parents and educators find support and practical tools.
- Mid-Atlantic Psychotherapy: https://midatlanticpsychotherapy.com/
- RLLC's Website: http://www.readingllcenter.com
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/readingllcenter
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/readingllcenter
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWlbl8Ea8DJFADaNU9ZK1Vw
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-reading-and-language-learning-center
Wednesday Mar 18, 2026
Wednesday Mar 18, 2026
In this episode of More Than Words, we take a closer look at what actually happens during an AAC evaluation and why it is much more than choosing a device. Speech-language pathologist Carleton Levert walks us through the full process, from initial referrals and case review to device trials, observations, and recommendations.
We also explore what makes AAC successful in real life, including team collaboration, personalization, and ongoing support. Along the way, Carleton addresses common myths that can delay access to AAC and shares practical ways families and professionals can better support communication across environments.
What You’ll Learn
- What an AAC evaluation looks like from start to finish
- Why AAC evaluation includes language, motor access, vision, hearing, and environment
- The role of device trials in finding the right communication system
- How collaboration with OTs, teachers, and caregivers supports success
- Red flags that an AAC system is not truly being used or supported
- Why personalization and buy-in are essential for meaningful communication
- How AAC support should evolve as a child grows and changes
- Common myths about AAC, including funding, readiness, and perceived ability
About the Guest
Carleton P. Levert, M.S., CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist based in Washington, D.C. He is the founder of We Ask Speech, where he provides speech-language therapy and AAC services across school, clinic, and community-based settings. Carleton works with individuals across the lifespan and is especially passionate about functional communication and real-world application of AAC. His approach emphasizes collaboration, personalization, and empowering individuals to communicate across environments. Outside of his clinical work, he values community-based care and creative ways to support communication in everyday life.
Links & Resources
- Carleton’s Website: https://weaskspeech.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_ask_speech/
- DC Assistive Technology Program: https://odr.dc.gov/page/assistive-technology-resources
If this episode helped you see your child’s communication, learning, or behavior in a new light, please subscribe, rate, and review on your podcast platform. Your support helps other parents, educators, and clinicians find tools and conversations that make daily life a little easier.
To learn more about services, resources, and upcoming programs, visit us online and connect with us on social media:
- Website: http://www.readingllcenter.com
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/readingllcenter
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/readingllcenter
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWlbl8Ea8DJFADaNU9ZK1Vw
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-reading-and-language-learning-center
Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
Psychoeducational evaluations can sound intimidating for families, but they are designed to do something very important: help us understand how a child learns. In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, host Tristen speaks with licensed school psychologist Megan Davis about what psychoeducational evaluations really are and how they help uncover the strengths and challenges that shape a child’s learning experience.
Megan explains how these evaluations look at the whole child by examining cognitive skills, academic performance, executive functioning, and social-emotional development. She also walks through what parents and children can expect during the evaluation process, how private evaluations differ from school-based testing, and when it might be the right time to consider an evaluation.
If you have ever wondered whether your child might benefit from an evaluation or felt unsure about what the process involves, this conversation helps remove the mystery. Megan reframes evaluations as a tool for understanding and advocacy, giving families a clearer path forward to help their child thrive.
What You’ll Learn
🔎 What a psychoeducational evaluation is and the questions it helps answer about a child’s learning
🧠 The different components of an evaluation, including cognitive, academic, executive functioning, and social-emotional assessments
👪 What parents and children can expect during the evaluation process from intake to feedback
📊 Signs that it may be time to consider an evaluation for your child
🏫 How private psychoeducational evaluations differ from school-based evaluations
📚 How evaluation results can help families advocate for support at school, in therapy, and at home
💡 Why diagnoses are not about labeling children but about creating clarity and access to the right supports
About the Guest
Megan Davis, Licensed School Psychologist, is the co-owner of Counseling and Assessment Practice of Fairfax (CAP Fairfax). She has over 20 years of experience in school psychology, including 15 years working in public schools before transitioning into private practice. Megan specializes in comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations that help families better understand how their children learn and what supports will help them succeed.
In addition to her clinical work, Megan supervises graduate students at George Mason University, helping train the next generation of school psychologists. Her work focuses on providing clear, practical insights that help families navigate complex educational and developmental systems while supporting each child’s unique strengths.
Links & Resources
Counseling and Assessment Practice of Fairfax
Website: https://capfairfax.com
Social Media
Instagram: @capfairfax
Facebook: @capfairfax
More Than Words is brought to you by The Reading & Language Learning Center, where we believe in treating the whole child.
Website: https://www.readingllcenter.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/readingllcenter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readingllcenter
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWlbl8Ea8DJFADaNU9ZK1Vw
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-reading-and-language-learning-center
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast so more families can find these conversations and resources.
Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
What if supporting speech and language started with the body? In this episode, Tristen is joined by speech-language pathologist and yoga teacher Jennifer Schmid to explore how movement, breath, and regulation can directly support communication.
Together, they unpack why a calm, organized body creates better conditions for speech and language learning, how yoga-informed strategies can fit naturally into speech therapy, and what parents can try at home. This conversation is practical, grounded, and accessible for families and clinicians who want to better support the whole child.
What You’ll Learn
- Why regulation is foundational for speech and language development
- How movement and breath support attention, motor planning, and communication
- What “yoga-informed” really means in a speech therapy context
- How speech-language pathologists can integrate yoga-based strategies without losing focus on goals
- Examples of yoga-informed activities used during speech therapy sessions
- Simple breath and movement routines parents can use at home
- Why supporting the body can help words come more easily
About Jennifer Schmid
Jennifer Schmid is a speech-language pathologist and yoga instructor who specializes in integrating mind–body practices into speech and language therapy. She brings together evidence-based speech therapy with yoga-informed strategies to support regulation, communication, and learning in children. Jennifer is passionate about helping clinicians and families understand how the body and nervous system influence speech, language, and connection. Through her work, she supports a whole-child approach that is practical, accessible, and grounded in both clinical expertise and compassion.
Learn more about Jennifer and her work at jenschmid.com.
Links and Resources
- Jennifer Schmid: https://www.jenschmid.com
- RLLC’s Website: http://www.readingllcenter.com
Follow RLLC on social media for more learning-focused content:
- Instagram: @readingllcenter
- Facebook: @readingllcenter
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWlbl8Ea8DJFADaNU9ZK1Vw
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-reading-and-language-learning-center
Subscribe, rate, and review More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child wherever you listen to podcasts.
Wednesday Feb 04, 2026
Wednesday Feb 04, 2026
Why does it feel like kids forget instructions the moment they hear them? In this episode of More Than Words, host Tristen is joined by licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Erika Madison to unpack how executive function plays a critical role in memory. Rather than being a true “memory problem,” many everyday struggles with forgetting directions, losing materials, or blanking on tests are rooted in how the brain organizes, holds, and retrieves information.
Dr. Madison breaks down executive function in clear, relatable terms and explains how skills like attention, working memory, organization, and planning directly impact learning and recall. Together, they explore why memory demands increase as children get older and share practical, realistic strategies parents and educators can use to reduce memory load and better support kids at home and school.
What You’ll Learn
- What executive function is and why it acts like the brain’s “CEO”
- How working memory supports learning and following directions in real time
- Why kids can seem to “know it yesterday” but forget it during tests
- How executive function challenges can look like memory problems
- Why memory demands increase as academic tasks become more complex
- How organization and planning affect memory retrieval
- Practical strategies to reduce memory load and support executive functioning
About Dr. Erika Madison
Dr. Erika Madison, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist at MindWell Psychology, where she specializes in comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults. Her clinical focus includes executive functioning, attention, learning differences, ADHD, autism, and emotional regulation. Dr. Madison is known for helping families understand the “why” behind a child’s learning or behavioral challenges and translating assessment results into clear, actionable recommendations that support success at home and school. With a background that also includes forensic psychology, she brings a deep understanding of cognitive processes and behavior, along with a practical, compassionate approach to care.
Links & Resources
- Learn more about Dr. Erika Madison and MindWell Psychology: https://mindwell.us/
Subscribe, Rate, and Review
If this episode helped you see your child’s behavior in a new light, please subscribe, rate, and review More Than Words on your podcast platform. It helps other parents and teachers find tools that make daily life easier.
Connect with RLLC
Wednesday Jan 21, 2026
Wednesday Jan 21, 2026
Designing AAC Supports With Students
In this episode of More Than Words, we sit down with Madison Brumbaugh, M.S., CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist and clinical assistant professor at The George Washington University whose work focuses on supporting individuals with complex communication needs. Madison has experience serving clients across the lifespan and working in public schools, private practice, and home health settings. She holds master’s degrees in Educational Research and Communication Sciences and Disorders from Georgia State University and is currently pursuing a PhD in Translational Health Sciences at GW. Madison is also active in professional leadership and advocacy, including roles with ASHA and state speech-language-hearing associations.
Whether you are new to AAC or have some background, this conversation highlights a fresh and essential perspective: how we can design AAC supports with students, not for them.
Madison breaks down what AAC actually is and what it looks like in real classrooms and therapy settings. From there, we explore how involving students in the design of AAC tools can increase engagement, support literacy, and help learners express themselves more meaningfully across environments.
We also discuss both low-tech and high-tech AAC supports, including visual organizers and personalized digital tools, and how students can help shape these tools to better meet their communication and learning needs. Throughout the conversation, Madison shares practical examples and mindset shifts that educators, therapists, and families can apply right away.
In this episode, you will learn:
- What AAC is and who it can support
- What it means to design AAC supports with students
- Why student involvement matters for meaningful communication
- How students can participate in designing both low-tech and high-tech AAC tools
- The connection between AAC, literacy, and classroom engagement
- Practical steps educators and families can take to center student voice
This episode is ideal for educators, therapists, and caregivers who want to better understand AAC and create communication supports that truly reflect the students using them.
Links and Resources:
- Madison’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-b-b171a9155/
- Madison’s information at George Washington University: Madison Brumbaugh
- About Madison Brumbaugh | DC Speech & Literacy
Make sure to subscribe and follow us on social media so you never miss an episode!
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Oral health is about so much more than cavities. In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, Tristen sits down with Dr. Sheyda Maghsoudi, board-certified pediatric dentist and founder of Lansdowne Pediatric Dentistry, to explore how oral structure, airway health, and daily habits influence speech, feeding, sleep, behavior, and learning.
Dr. Maghsoudi explains how tongue position, jaw and palate development, and breathing patterns play a critical role in how children communicate and function at school. She also shares early warning signs families and therapists can watch for, why collaboration between dentists and other specialists, like speech language pathologists, matters, and how personalized, sensory-informed dental care can transform a child’s experience.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that supporting the mouth and airway is a part of supporting the whole child.
What You’ll Learn:
- How oral health connects to speech, feeding, and learning
- Why tongue posture and nasal breathing are critical for development
- Early signs of oral or airway issues, including mouth breathing and picky eating
- How tongue ties can impact function and why team-based care matters
- The importance of collaboration between dentists, SLPs, OTs, and other providers
- How dental care can be adapted for children with sensory sensitivities
- Everyday habits that support healthy jaw, facial, and airway development
- A real-life example of how improving breathing changed a child’s focus and behavior
About Dr. Maghsoudi
Dr. Sheyda Maghsoudi is a board-certified pediatric dentist and the founder of Lansdowne Pediatric Dentistry in Lansdowne, Virginia. She takes a whole-child approach to oral health, focusing on how dental development, airway health, and oral function influence speech, feeding, sleep, and learning. Dr. Maghsoudi is passionate about early intervention and interdisciplinary collaboration, working closely with speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other pediatric specialists to support children’s overall development. She is especially known for her compassionate, individualized care for children with sensory sensitivities and neurodiverse needs.
Links & Resources
Dr. Maghsoudi’s Practice: https://lansdownepediatricdentistry.com/
Lansdowne’s Phone number: 571-210-2771
Reading & Language Learning Center:
Website: http://www.readingllcenter.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/readingllcenter
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/readingllcenter
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWlbl8Ea8DJFADaNU9ZK1Vw
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-reading-and-language-learning-center
Subscribe, rate, and review to help more families find the show.
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Episode Summary
In this powerful episode, we’re unpacking what Speech-Language Pathologists really know, and wish they knew, about dyslexia. After interviewing dozens of SLPs and graduate students at the 2024 ASHA Convention, we discovered clear themes: misinformation, missing training, personal stories of struggle and resilience, and a deep desire for better tools to support dyslexic learners.
Joined by Susan (RLLC Owner) and Maggie (RLLC Therapist), host Tristen dives into what today’s SLPs are experiencing in the field: everything from misconceptions like “letters flipping” to the reality that most grad programs barely touch structured literacy or dyslexia at all. We explore what this means for families, how SLPs fit into the dyslexia landscape, and why specialized language-based literacy training is more important than ever.
This episode is honest, validating, and packed with insight for parents, educators, and clinicians who want to understand dyslexia through a truly language-based lens.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
- The top myths SLPs reported hearing about dyslexia
- Why dyslexia is not a visual issue, but a language-based learning difference
- The nationwide training gap in graduate programs
- Emotional stories from SLPs who personally have dyslexia
- System-level challenges around screening and assessment
- Why SLPs are the right professionals to support dyslexia — when properly trained
- Practical questions SLPs are asking: identification, intervention, evaluation, bilingual learners, and more
- How training, clarity, and a structured literacy framework can transform SLP confidence
✨ Professional Development for SLPs & Educators
If this episode left you thinking, “I want to learn this, I just never got the training.” you’re not alone. And we can help.
RLLC now offers several professional development courses, including:
- Orton–Gillingham Spelling Rules — practical and immediately applicable
- How to Test for Dyslexia — evaluation guidance for SLPs and educators
And coming soon:
Sounds2Print™ Structured Literacy Cohort
Our signature structured literacy training is now IDA Accredited at the Accreditation Plus level, the highest recognition IDA offers. This program provides the tools you need to become a:
- Certified Structured Literacy Teacher
- Structured Literacy Specialist
- Structured Literacy Interventionist
Join the interest list or explore current courses at:
👉 www.readingllcenter.com/professional-development
Connect with Us
The Reading & Language Learning Center
Website: http://www.readingllcenter.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/readingllcenter
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/readingllcenter
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWlbl8Ea8DJFADaNU9ZK1Vw
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-reading-and-language-learning-center
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review as it helps more families and clinicians find this content!
Wednesday Dec 03, 2025
Wednesday Dec 03, 2025
In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, Tristen sits down with Karyn Ewart, licensed clinical psychologist and Founder of The Sycamore School, for a rich conversation about what it really takes to raise independent, resilient learners. Drawing from decades of experience as a school psychologist, therapist, clinical director, and head of school, Karyn unpacks the habits, mindsets, and family dynamics that shape a child’s ability to take ownership of their learning and their life.
Karyn explains what it means to be an independent learner, emphasizing curiosity, self-awareness, and the ability to access and evaluate resources. She discusses why independence starts much earlier than most people think—even in toddlerhood—and how scaffolding, household routines, and even simple chores build the foundation for lifelong competence.
Together, Tristen and Karyn explore why today’s parents often struggle with “doing too much,” how oversupervision can limit growth, and why unstructured time is essential for creativity and problem-solving. Karyn offers practical frameworks like “I do, we do, you do” and shares humorous and heartfelt stories from raising her own children, illustrating how mistakes, natural consequences, and even messy science projects become powerful learning moments.
The discussion also tackles modeling independence through adult behavior, navigating developmental differences, fostering self-advocacy—especially for kids with learning differences—and helping teens prepare for real-world expectations like jobs, deadlines, and college-level support systems.
Grounded in compassion, practicality, and real-life parenting wisdom, this episode offers families concrete tools to support independence while preserving connection, trust, and mental health.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- What an “independent learner” truly is—and why curiosity and self-awareness matter
- How early independence begins and why toddlers often show the first signs
- The importance of scaffolding and letting children make (safe) mistakes
- Why household chores are foundational skills—not punishments
- The developmental benefits of unstructured time and boredom
- The risks of oversupervision and how to gradually remove “guardrails”
- How to balance stepping in vs. stepping back when kids struggle
- What the “I do, we do, you do” teaching model looks like in real families
- How modeling behavior (not just lecturing) shapes children’s independence
- Why natural consequences—even uncomfortable ones—build resilience
- How to support students with learning differences through accurate diagnosis, self-advocacy, and clarity about what they need
- When (and why) parents should not be their child’s academic tutor
- Strategies for helping kids transition from small tasks to complex responsibilities
- The role of self-advocacy in high school, college, and beyond
- How to identify your child’s temperament and match expectations accordingly
- Why part-time jobs can be transformative learning experiences
- The importance of boundaries—for kids and parents
- What it really means to accept your child “with clear eyes” and let them forge their own path
About Karyn Ewart
Karyn Ewart, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Founder and Head of School at The Sycamore School in Arlington, Virginia. With a career spent in schools—as a therapist, clinical director, school psychologist, and head of school—Karyn brings a deep whole-child perspective to her work. She is passionate about supporting neurodiverse learners, helping families cultivate independence, and empowering students to understand themselves, advocate for their needs, and build meaningful life skills. Known for her clear, compassionate communication, Karyn bridges clinical insight with real-world parenting wisdom to help kids grow into capable, confident adults.
Learn more at: thesycamoreschoolva.org
Resources & Links
The Sycamore School
Website: https://thesycamoreschoolva.org
The Reading & Language Learning Center
- Website: http://www.readingllcenter.com
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/readingllcenter
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/readingllcenter
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWlbl8Ea8DJFADaNU9ZK1Vw
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-reading-and-language-learning-center
Make sure to subscribe and follow us on social media so you never miss an episode!