The First “C” of Communication: Co-Regulation Comes Before Talking | Laura Mize | teachmetotalk 0017

If you’re working with a late-talking toddler or preschooler, this is where everything begins… and where so many of us get stuck.In this episode of Teach Me To Talk: Take 2, pediatric speech-language pathologists Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP and Macy Mize Usher, M.S., CCC-SLP break down the first of the 7 C’s of Communication: Co-Regulation—the foundation that has to be in place before language can grow. Because here’s the truth… When a child is dysregulated, language isn’t just delayed—it's unavailable. We’re not just talking about behavior. We’re talking about how a child’s body and brain are handling: • sensory input • emotions • attention • interaction When those systems are overloaded, you might see: – distractibility – irritability – fearfulness – constant movement – or complete shutdown And in those moments? Language processing drops below functional levels. So no matter how great your activity is… it’s not going to work. In this episode, we’ll walk you through: ✔ What regulation really means (and why it’s both physical and emotional) ✔ Why we should shift from “sensory behaviors” to sensory responses ✔ The critical difference between behavior-based vs. trauma-informed interpretations ✔ Why toddlers cannot self-regulate without adult support ✔ How co-regulation becomes the gateway to attention, engagement, and communication The big takeaway: We should never expect a dysregulated child to “just calm down” or “use their words.” First, we help them regulate. Then, communication can happen. Or as we like to say… “First piece… and first peace.” And most importantly—this is where your therapy (or parenting) gets strategic. We’ll show you how to start building co-regulation using a child’s strengths: • Visual strengths • Auditory strengths • Physical strengths • Cognitive strengths Because when you match your approach to how a child processes the world… everything changes. 🎧 Listen now and start with the foundation that makes everything else work. Handouts mentioned in this podcast are included with purchase of CE credit for therapists Therapists - Earn .5 ASHA CEU for $5 Parents pdf - $5 includes the show notes LINK HERE: https://teachmetotalk.com/ceu_course/... Whether you’re a parent of a late talker or a professional working in early intervention, this episode will help you: understand what really drives language development identify which foundational skills may be missing so that you can develop a great treatment plan learn how to support communication in everyday routines using these 7 areas What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The 7 areas of early language development: Why focusing only on words can slow progress How to recognize strengths and gaps in early communication Practical ways to build these skills through play and interaction Who This Is For: Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) Early intervention providers, developmental therapists, OTs Parents of toddlers and preschoolers with speech delays Parents of autistic children Ready to Go Deeper? This is the first episode in our 8 part series: The 7 C's of Communication: Developing Treatment Plans that WORK for Toddlers & Preschoolers with Language Delays. Check out the other episodes in this series. If you want a step-by-step system to apply this framework in real life with autistic kids, check out: https://teachmetotalk.com/strengths-b... Have a question for Laura and Macy? Email [email protected] or [email protected] with the subject line PODCAST Join Laura’s daily email for free therapy ideas: (near 50K subscribers!!) https://teachmetotalk.com/ Therapy Manuals from teachmetotalk.com The Late Talker Workbook NEW https://teachmetotalk.com/the-late-ta... The Autism Workbook https://teachmetotalk.com/product/aut... Let's Talk About Talking https://teachmetotalk.com/product/let... Teach Me To Talk The Therapy Manual https://teachmetotalk.com/product/tea... Building Verbal Imitation Skills in Toddlers https://teachmetotalk.com/product/bui... Teach Me To Play WITH You https://teachmetotalk.com/product/tea... FUNctional Phonology https://teachmetotalk.com/product/fun... Apraxia Workbooks 1 & 2 https://teachmetotalk.com/product/the... Shop Our Favorite Speech Therapy Toys: https://www.amazon.com/shop/teachmeto... Amazon affiliates earn teeny tiny commissions from purchases. It's still a great way to support our work!** Watch more videos and get free speech therapy ideas: https://teachmetotalk.com co regulation toddlers, late talking toddlers, toddler speech delay, co regulation speech therapy, why is my toddler not talking, toddler not talking yet, how to help toddler talk, co regulation autism, speech therapy toddlers, early intervention speech therapy, emotional regulation toddlers, toddler meltdown communication, teach me to talk, laura mize, 7 c's of communication