So how do you start thinking preventively?

Begin with screenings. Look for open-mouth posture, forward head tilt, thumb sucking, poor lip seal, or visible tongue thrust during speech or swallow. These signs show up long before a child lands in therapy for articulation or attention issues.

Educate families gently and clearly. Help them understand the connection between these signs and future issues like sleep-disordered breathing, speech errors, or orthodontic relapse.

And position yourself as a team player. Collaborate with pediatricians, dentists, ENTs, and school staff. Prevention works best when it’s a community effort.

When you take a proactive approach, you don’t just treat symptoms—you support long-term development and change lives before things escalate.

​Simon Says Speech offers done-for-you education tools and programs that help you build your reputation as a trusted provider at every stage of development.