AACT Arizona

Language development isn't always predictable. A word can be easy to access in one moment and harder to access in another. That often leaves parents wondering, "What has changed?"

During play, routines, and everyday interactions, your child has the opportunity to hear words connected to what they're already seeing, doing, and enjoying. What happens when we turn that moment into a question?

Swipe through to learn why your child's response might change and one simple shift you can try during everyday play!

If you have questions about your child's speech or language development, our team is here to help! Reach out to learn more about our speech therapy services.

Does your child throw things when they're finished?

That cup hitting the floor may be communicating more than you think! For young children and children who are still developing communication skills, throwing can be a way to explore cause and effect, get your attention, or as a way to say, "I'm done."

Instead of only correcting the behavior, we can help them build a new skill to replace it. Try modeling simple alternatives like, "All done," "Give it to me" with an open hand cue, or placing the item in a designated spot.

Behavior is often a form of communication. Our ABA therapy team is here to help your child learn new ways to express what they need. Reach out to learn more about our in-clinic services in Mesa and Surprise!

Getting dressed is something your child does everyday, so why not turn it into a language-building moment?

Naming clothing and actions, offering simple choices, and creating opportunities for your child to communicate can build vocabulary that your child can practice daily! Here are a few ways to sneak language into your routine:

✔️ Add one more word (e.g., blue sock, sock on)
✔️ Make it playful (e.g., sing a song, like "This is the way we put on our shirt, put on our shirt, put on our shirt. This is the way we put on our shirt when we get dressed!)
✔️ Follow their lead (e.g., if they want talk about the dinosaur on their shirt, talk about its size, color, or sound it makes)

If you have concerns about your child's speech or language development, our team is here to help! Reach out to learn more about our services or schedule a tour at one of our clinic locations!

Play is where learning happens!

Using Play-Doh at home can create opportunities to practice skills your child is learning in ABA and speech therapy sessions without making play feel like work. While your child rolls, builds, and creates different objects with you, they are developing important skills like turn-taking, flexible thinking, pretend play, and sharing.

There's no "right" way to play! Follow your child's lead, get creative, and enjoy the time together! What does your child love making with Play-Doh! Tell us below! ⬇️

The first thing to do when your toddler hits isn't what you think. Instead of reacting right away, take a deep breath and focus on keeping everyone safe. Once the moment has passed, get curious about why the behavior happened.

Hitting is often your child's way of communicating when they may not have the words or skills to express a need. When we understand the reason behind the behavior, we can teach more effective ways to communicate.

If your child is struggling with frequent hitting, aggression, or communication challenges, we are now accepting new clients at our Mesa and Surprise clinics. We'd love to support your family! Message us to learn more!

"Should my child be saying that sound by now?"

This is one of the most common questions parents ask and the answer isn't always straightforward.

Speech sounds typically develop in a sequential order, but every child reaches milestones at their own pace. This chart provides guidelines, not deadlines for speech sound development.

If your child is difficult to understand or isn't using a variety of speech sounds for their age, our team of speech-language pathologists can help determine whether additional support would be beneficial. Early intervention can make a big difference and you don't have to wait to ask questions! Contact us today!

Knowing letters, numbers, and colors are wonderful milestones, but only a part of the picture when determining if your child is ready for school. When your child starts school, teachers often expect them to:
✔️ Follow simple directions
✔️ Take turns and work well with others
✔️ Be independent with everyday tasks
✔️ Separate for a parent without difficulty
✔️ Transition between activities

These social, emotional, and independence skills are what help your child settle into the classroom, build friendships, and enjoy learning.

If you're wondering whether your child is ready for school, we'd love to help! Our School Readiness Program is designed to help your child develop the practical, social, and emotional skills they need for a successful transition to school. We are now offering this program in both Suprise and Mesa!

Parents often wonder, "Why does my child play next to other children instead of with them?"

If your toddler prefers playing alongside other children rather than directly interacting with them, they're likely engaging in parallel play, which is a typical stage of play development, especially between the ages of 2 and 3.

During parallel play, your child is observing, imitating, and learning from others without actively playing with another child. These experiences help build important social, language, and problem-solving skills that lay the foundation for cooperative play later on.

If you have questions or concerns about your child's play skills and social language abilities, our team is here to help! Contact us today to learn more about our services!

We're growing!

We're excited to announce the opening of our second clinic location in Surprise on August 3, 2026! This space will allow us to continue to serve more families with the compassionate, personalized care they deserve. We're proud to offer ABA therapy and our school readiness program, which will provide comprehensive support to help children learn, grow, and develop confidence!

Thank you to our clients and community for trusting us and supporting our growth. We can't wait to welcome new and familiar faces to our Surprise location!

Not every behavior is about getting attention. Sometimes, your child is looking for connection. When your child interrupts you, acts silly, clings to you, or has big emotions, it can be easy to assume they are seeking attention.

Often, these behaviors are their way of saying:
✔️ “I need you."
✔️ “I don't know how to hand this feeling."
✔️ “Help me feel safe."

When we look beyond the behavior, we can respond to what our children need and that's where growth happens. Connection doesn't mean saying yes to everything. It means responding with empathy and compassion while still holding healthy boundaries.

If you are looking for extra support, our team is here to work with you and your child to understand the why behind your child's behavior and develop practical strategies together.