#252 Ideas for Toddlers Who Don't Sit Still for Speech Therapy

Join pediatric speech-language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP as she provides ideas for a mom who complained that her child can't sit still to work with her on developing language and has difficulty maintaining attention during therapy sessions. 

From Laura... Here's the truth... MANY late talking toddlers can't (not WON'T) sit still. We'll BRIEFLY talk about why that is and then move on to ideas that WORK for our friends who need to move, move, move. Here's a list of things I do with my busiest little friends:

• Do what they like!
• Decrease demands overall so that a child doesn't feel "forced." Participation is your ONLY goal. This can dramatically help!!
• Don't sit... MOVE! Target language during gross motor movement or outside playground activities such as sliding, jumping on a trampoline, swinging, etc...
• Try social games where moving is a part of the game - Ring Around the Rosies, Row Row Your Boat, Ride a Little Horsie - verbal routines during those games to target receptive and expressive language.
• Introduce play that involves moving - improvise a basketball game even without a hoop, bowling, launcher toys, and relay games
• Work on Structured Teaching Tasks - TEACCH method
• Over time begin to alternate activities move - sit - move - sit
• Modify a child's space so that movement is less of an option. Beware....belting them into a high chair is usually NOT a good option! 
• Don't try strategies for older children like "if/then." Many times our little friend DON'T understand that promise.
• Reinforce sitting.