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 Jun 10, 2026
Wednesday Jun 10, 2026
What does it mean when a child can hear perfectly well, but still struggles to follow directions, process spoken language, or learn in noisy environments?
In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, host Tristen sits down with speech-language pathologists Kim Hiday and Rachel Saulle from McLean Speech & Language to unpack auditory processing challenges in children and adults.
Together, they explain the difference between hearing and auditory processing, common signs parents and teachers may notice, how auditory processing difficulties can impact learning and daily life, and the therapy approaches and accommodations that can help. From classroom seating strategies to auditory integration training and speech-language interventions, this conversation offers practical insight for families trying to better understand how children process sound and language.
Whether your child struggles to follow verbal directions, seems overwhelmed in noisy spaces, or has difficulty listening despite normal hearing tests, this episode provides a compassionate, evidence-informed starting point.
What You’ll Learn
✨ The difference between hearing ability and auditory processing
✨ Common signs of auditory processing challenges in children
✨ Why some children “zone out” during listening-heavy tasks
✨ How auditory processing difficulties can affect reading, language, and learning
✨ What auditory processing evaluations may include
✨ Classroom accommodations that can support listening and attention
✨ Therapy approaches including speech-language intervention and auditory training
✨ What parents should do first if they suspect auditory processing difficulties
About the Guests
Kim Hiday, M.S., CCC-SLP and Rachel Saulle, M.S., CCC-SLP are speech-language pathologists at McLean Speech & Language who specialize in auditory processing, language development, literacy, and individualized intervention planning for children and adults. Their clinical work includes auditory processing evaluations, speech-language therapy, auditory integration training, and collaborative school-based supports. Together, they help families better understand how listening, language, and learning intersect, while creating personalized recommendations that support success across home, school, and community settings.
Episode Highlights
Kim explains that hearing and auditory processing are not the same thing. Hearing involves the ears detecting sound, while auditory processing refers to how the brain interprets and organizes what we hear.
Rachel discusses how auditory processing difficulties may sometimes look like attention challenges, especially when children become overwhelmed by listening demands in the classroom.
The conversation also explores how classroom environments, seating arrangements, and background noise can significantly impact a child’s ability to process spoken information effectively.
Kim and Rachel share examples of interventions and accommodations that may support children with auditory processing needs, including speech-language strategies, auditory training, and individualized environmental supports.
Resources & Links
🌐 McLean Speech & Language
https://mcleanspeech.com
📸 Instagram: @McLeanSpeech
📘 Facebook: McLean Speech and Language
🌐 The Reading & Language Learning Center
https://www.readingllcenter.com
📸 Follow RLLC on Instagram: @readinglanguagecenter
📘 Follow RLLC on Facebook: The Reading & Language Learning Center
🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Subscribe, rate, and review More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child wherever you listen to podcasts.
Wednesday May 27, 2026
Wednesday May 27, 2026
What if school didn’t have to look the way we’ve always imagined it?
In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, Tristen sits down with Joe Casamassima of Fusion Academy to explore the one-to-one school model and how it redefines what learning can look like for students. From personalized pacing to built-in social opportunities, Joe shares how this approach allows educators to truly meet students where they are academically and emotionally.
They also dive into a powerful idea many parents need to hear: when a child is struggling in school, it may not be about ability, it may be about fit. Joe explains how flexible, individualized learning environments can reduce stress, increase engagement, and help students rediscover confidence in their learning.
What You’ll Learn
- How one-to-one schooling works in a real school day
- Why traditional classrooms can create a mismatch for some learners
- The role of individualized pacing in reducing frustration and gaps
- How one-to-one learning supports both academic and emotional needs
- What kinds of students benefit from flexible school environments
- How socialization still happens and why it can be more intentional
- How schools can collaborate with therapists and outside supports
- Why finding the right school fit matters more than “pushing through”
About the Guest
Joe Casamassima is the Head of School at Fusion Academy Tysons, where he leads a one-to-one school model designed to meet students as individuals. He began his career in public education before moving into more personalized settings, including independent schools for at-risk youth, programs supporting students on the autism spectrum, and learning centers for teens working toward their GED. Joe previously served as Head of School at Fusion Academy San Mateo before relocating to Virginia to lead the Tysons campus. Across every role, he has focused on creating environments where students are seen, supported, and able to thrive. Outside of education, Joe has twice walked across the United States to raise awareness and funding for Multiple Sclerosis. He lives in Dunn Loring, Virginia with his wife and children.
Links & Resources
Fusion Academy:https://www.fusionacademy.com/
Tysons Campus: https://www.fusionacademy.com/campuses/tysons-corner/
If this episode helped you see your child’s learning in a new light, please subscribe, rate, and review on your podcast platform. It helps other parents and educators find tools that make daily life easier.
Wednesday May 13, 2026
Wednesday May 13, 2026
Parents today are doing more than ever to support their children, but what happens when all that support starts to feel like too much?
In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, Tristen sits down with Casey Pina from Fusion Academy Alexandria to explore a powerful and often overlooked concept: capacity. While many families focus on schedules, structure, and achievement, Casey explains why true growth depends on something different, having enough space to learn, process, and recover.
Together, they unpack how well-intentioned decisions around academics, extracurricular activities, and expectations can sometimes push children beyond their limits. You will learn how to recognize when your child may be overwhelmed, how to balance challenge with capacity, and what it really looks like to support your child’s development in a sustainable way.
What You’ll Learn
- How to recognize when your child is overwhelmed by their schedule
- What “capacity” means and why it matters for learning and development
- The difference between healthy challenge and overload
- Signs your child’s pace may not match their developmental needs
- Why growth requires space, not just structure and activity
- How high expectations can unintentionally create pressure
- Practical ways to adjust your child’s schedule without pulling everything away
- A simple question every parent should ask when making decisions about activities
About Casey
Casey Pina is the head of school at Fusion Academy Alexandria, where she works closely with students and families to create individualized learning environments that support both academic growth and overall well-being. With a focus on meeting students where they are, Casey specializes in helping learners who may not thrive in traditional school settings, particularly those experiencing overwhelm, burnout, or mismatched expectations. She is passionate about helping families better understand each child’s unique capacity, pace, and potential, and guiding them toward more sustainable, student-centered approaches to education.
Links
If this episode helped you rethink your child’s schedule or see their needs in a new light, please subscribe, rate, and review on your podcast platform. It helps other parents and educators find tools that support the whole child.
Casey Pina
- Fusion Alexandria: https://www.fusionacademy.com/campuses/alexandria/
- Casey’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-pina-4751a525/
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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
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