HelpUTalk
143 Followers
Rockford, Illinois, United States
About the store
I am a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist with experience supporting children across school, early intervention, home, daycare, and community settings. I currently work in the school setting, where I support early learners with a variety of speech, language, communication, and AAC needs.
Prior to returning to the public school setting in December 2016, I worked in Early Intervention as a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist. I provided services in children’s natural environments, including homes, daycare centers, and Head Start programs, while coaching families, caregivers, and teachers on how to build communication during everyday routines. I have experience working with students from Early Childhood through 5th grade in the school setting.
My resources are designed to be practical, parent-friendly, and classroom-ready. I love creating materials that help busy SLPs, teachers, paras, and families support early communication, functional language, AAC use, and meaningful carryover throughout the day.
I hold my Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA and am licensed in the state of Illinois.
Read more
Store categories
All resources
Filters
Subject
Format
Resource type
Audience
Programs & methods
"Up, Down, and Around" Book Companion | Early Language & AAC Activities
Make shared reading more interactive and meaningful with this early language book companion created to pair with " Up, Down, and Around "by Katherine Ayres. This resource includes simple visual supports and hands-on activities designed for preschool, early childhood special education, speech therapy, AAC users, and early language learners. Students can practice garden vocabulary, basic concepts, following directions, requesting, commenting, shared reading participation, and AAC/core word use thr
PreK - 1st
Literature, Reading, Vocabulary
Early Intervention Summer Play The Speech Way
Summer is a perfect time to get little ones outside and encourage speech and language skills! These fun handouts help guide parents to carry over speech and language therapy targets into their fun summer activities. Each handout includes a new sign, with picture and written directions, to target within the summer activity as well as two suggestions to incorporate language. 11 different summer activities are included within this packet including: 4th of July, Beach, Ice Cream, Pool, and Zoo day!
PreK - K
Early Intervention Fall Play The Speech Way
Fall is a perfect time to get little ones outside and encourage speech and language skills before the weather gets too cold! These fun handouts help guide parents to carry over speech and language therapy targets into their fun fall activities. Each handout includes a new sign, with picture and written directions, to target within the fall activity as well as two-three suggestions to incorporate language. **NEW this fall...this packet contains many visual aids that can be used with children of
PreK - K
American Sign Language
PECS Phase 1: Finding the Perfect Reinforcers
This tool is perfect for the SLP, teacher, or parent getting ready to start with PECS! It provides prompts to help discover what the student's strongest reinforcements may be, while also helping prepare you for future phases of PECS when you need to know strong dislikes. There are pages with prompts of favorites/least favorites of things such as textures, foods, and drinks. Other pages probe to find out how you can tell if student is upset or happy, what types of input they may like (pressure, m
Not Specific
Who Says?: Barnyard Noises
This activity is perfect for little ones working on expressive language, learning about animals/animal noises, and working on simple WHO questions. This product can be printed, laminated, and turned in to an interactive book where children match the animal to the sound it makes. It can also be printed, completed at school/in therapy, and sent home for carryover. It is a quick interactive activity that can be used in a speech therapy, special education, or general education classroom with many di
PreK - 1st
Other (ELA)
Multisyllabic Monsters
UPDATED JANUARY 2017!
In this fun game students work on counting syllables/beats in words while helping some silly monsters. They are asked to help the monsters count the beats in the names of some of their favorite things, from animals to princesses to things at school. There are 12 flashcards each for 1, 2, 3, and 4 syllable words and 6 flashcards for the 5 syllable words (54 flashcards in total). There are also 5 monster mats that can provide a visual for children to sort their cards into pi
PreK - 2nd
Phonics & Phonological Awareness
Caramel Apple Articulation: Initial, Medial, & Final M
These fun articulation cards are perfect for little ones working on the M sound in all positions (initial, medial, and final). This download includes 20 cut-apart cards with initial M, 10 cards with medial M, and 10 cards with final M that can be used for articulation therapy. They can be paired with any board game (i.e. pick a card, practice the word, then take your turn in the game) or used how ever you wish in therapy.
**Each card includes the written word as well as a picture of the word fo
PreK - 3rd
Also included in:Â Caramel Apple Articulation: Early Developing Sound Bundle
Caramel Apple Articulation: Initial, Medial, & Final D
These fun articulation cards are perfect for little ones working on the D sound in all positions (initial, medial, and final). This download includes 10 cut-apart cards with initial D, 10 cards with medial D, and 10 cards with final D that can be used for articulation therapy. They can be paired with any board game (i.e. pick a card, practice the word, then take your turn in the game) or used how ever you wish in therapy.
**Each card includes the written word as well as a picture of the word fo
PreK - 3rd
Also included in:Â Caramel Apple Articulation: Early Developing Sound Bundle
Caramel Apple Articulation: Initial, Medial, & Final P
These fun articulation cards are perfect for little ones working on the P sound in all positions (initial, medial, and final). This download includes 20 cut-apart cards with initial P, 10 cards with medial P, and 10 cards with final P that can be used for articulation therapy. They can be paired with any board game (i.e. pick a card, practice the word, then take your turn in the game) or used how ever you wish in therapy.
**Each card includes the written word as well as a picture of the word f
PreK - 3rd
Also included in:Â Caramel Apple Articulation: Early Developing Sound Bundle
Caramel Apple Articulation: Initial, Medial, & Final B
These fun articulation cards are perfect for little ones working on the B sound in all positions (initial, medial, and final). This download includes 20 cut-apart cards with initial B, 10 cards with medial B, and 10 cards with final B that can be used for articulation therapy. They can be paired with any board game (i.e. pick a card, practice the word, then take your turn in the game) or used how ever you wish in therapy.
**Each card includes the written word as well as a picture of the word fo
PreK - 3rd
Also included in:Â Caramel Apple Articulation: Early Developing Sound Bundle
Caramel Apple Articulation: Initial K
These fun articulation cards are perfect for little ones working on the initial K sound. This download includes 20 cards that can be cut apart and used for articulation therapy. They can be paired with any board game (i.e. pick a card, practice the word, then take your turn in the game) or used how ever you wish in therapy. *Each card includes the written word as well as a picture of the word for younger students.*
Not Specific
Caramel Apple Articulation: Initial, Medial, Final N
These fun articulation cards are perfect for little ones working on the N sound in any position (initial, medial, and final). This download includes 10 cut-apart cards with initial N, 10 cards with medial N, and 10 cards with final N that can be used for articulation therapy on in phonological cycles. They can be paired with any board game (i.e. pick a card, practice the word, then take your turn in the game) or used how ever you wish in therapy.
**Each card includes the written word as well as
Not Specific
Also included in:Â Caramel Apple Articulation: Early Developing Sound Bundle
Caramel Apple Articulation: Initial H
These fun articulation cards are perfect for little ones working on the initial H sound. This download includes 10 cards that can be cut apart and used for articulation therapy. They can be paired with any board game (i.e. pick a card, practice the word, then take your turn in the game) or used how ever you wish in therapy. *Each card includes the written word as well as a picture of the word for younger students.*
PreK - 3rd
Caramel Apple Articulation: Initial P
These fun articulation cards are perfect for little ones working on the initial P sound. This download includes 20 cards that can be cut apart and used for articulation therapy. They can be paired with any board game (i.e. pick a card, practice the word, then take your turn in the game) or used how ever you wish in therapy. *Each card includes the written word as well as a picture of the word for younger students.*
PreK - 3rd
Caramel Apple Articulation: Initial M
These fun articulation cards are perfect for little ones working on the initial M sound. This download includes 20 cards that can be cut apart and used for articulation therapy. They can be paired with any board game (i.e. pick a card, practice the word, then take your turn in the game) or used how ever you wish in therapy. *Each card includes the written word as well as a picture of the word for younger students.*
PreK - 3rd
Caramel Apple Articulation: Initial F
These fun articulation cards are perfect for little ones working on the initial F sound. This download includes 10 cards that can be cut apart and used for articulation therapy. They can be paired with any board game (i.e. pick a card, practice the word, then take your turn in the game) or used how ever you wish in therapy. *Each card includes the written word as well as a picture of the word for younger students.*
PreK - 2nd
Caramel Apple Articulation: Initial G
These fun articulation cards are perfect for little ones working on the initial G sound. This download includes 10 cards that can be cut apart and used for articulation therapy. They can be paired with any board game (i.e. pick a card, practice the word, then take your turn in the game) or used how ever you wish in therapy. *Each card includes the written word as well as a picture of the word for younger students.*
PreK - 2nd
Caramel Apple Articulation: Initial D
These fun articulation cards are perfect for little ones working on the initial D sound. This download includes 10 cards that can be cut apart and used for articulation therapy. They can be paired with any board game (i.e. pick a card, practice the word, then take your turn in the game) or used how ever you wish in therapy. *Each card includes the written word as well as a picture of the word for younger students.*
PreK - 3rd
Caramel Apple Articulation: Initial B
These fun articulation cards are perfect for little ones working on the initial B sound. This download includes 20 cards that can be cut apart and used for articulation therapy. They can be paired with any board game (i.e. pick a card, practice the word, then take your turn in the game) or used how ever you wish in therapy. *Each card includes the written word as well as a picture of the word for younger students.*
PreK - 3rd
Caramel Apple Articulation: Initial N
These fun articulation cards are perfect for little ones working on the initial N sound. This download includes 10 cards that can be cut apart and used for articulation therapy. They can be paired with any board game (i.e. pick a card, practice the word, then take your turn in the game) or used how ever you wish in therapy. *Each card includes the written word as well as a picture of the word for younger students.*
PreK - 3rd
Showing 1-20 of 20 results
About the store
Experience
I am a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist with experience supporting children across school, early intervention, home, daycare, and community settings. I currently work in the school setting, where I support early learners with a variety of speech, language, communication, and AAC needs.
Prior to returning to the public school setting in December 2016, I worked in Early Intervention as a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist. I provided services in children’s natural environments, including homes, daycare centers, and Head Start programs, while coaching families, caregivers, and teachers on how to build communication during everyday routines. I have experience working with students from Early Childhood through 5th grade in the school setting.
My resources are designed to be practical, parent-friendly, and classroom-ready. I love creating materials that help busy SLPs, teachers, paras, and families support early communication, functional language, AAC use, and meaningful carryover throughout the day.
I hold my Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA and am licensed in the state of Illinois.
Teaching style
My therapy style is practical, family-centered, and rooted in everyday routines. With my background in Early Intervention, I believe communication growth happens best when the important adults in a child’s life feel confident supporting them throughout the day.
In therapy, I work to make sessions personal, playful, and meaningful while giving families, teachers, and caregivers simple tools they can continue using outside of speech sessions. In the school setting, this means collaboration and communication are key. I work closely with teachers, staff, and families to help students build functional communication skills that carry over into the classroom, home, and community.
My goal is always to support the whole child by helping their grown-ups feel equipped, encouraged, and ready to help little communicators grow.
Awards & shining teacher moments
One of my favorite moments as an SLP is watching a child realize that their communication has power. Whether it is hearing a first word, seeing a child use AAC to request something they want, watching them finally master a tricky speech sound, or seeing them connect with another person in a new way - those moments never get old.
There is nothing quite like the confidence and joy on a child’s face when they know they were understood. Those little moments are often huge milestones, and they are the reason I love this work so much.
My own education history
I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology, with a minor in Psychology, from Marquette University in 2011. I then continued my graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, where I earned my Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2013 with an emphasis in Early Childhood Special Education.
After completing my Clinical Fellowship in the school setting, I earned my Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Additional biographical information
Hi, I’m Samantha, the SLP behind HelpUTalk! I create practical speech, language, AAC, and visual support resources for early communicators and the adults who support them. My resources are designed with real classrooms, therapy sessions, and home routines in mind, so they are simple to understand, easy to use, and meaningful for students.
I especially love creating materials that support functional communication, AAC modeling, parent carryover, early language, and visual routines. My goal is to help busy SLPs, teachers, paras, and families feel more confident supporting little communicators throughout the day.
TPT is the largest marketplace for PreK-12 resources, powered by a community of educators.
IXL family of brands