Bright Ideas Media - Live and online presentations

We were invited to present a Speech Sound Disorders Series for Bright Ideas Media in the US. 

 

https://www.bethebrightest.com/en/events/speech-sound-disorders-series

This morning Dr. Kelly Farquharson and I presented a live 90 minute session to over 100 speech-language pathologists across the United States. Our presentation was titled: "Clinical Use of Speech Sound Acquisition Data"

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"Don't ask when should a child say /s/ - instead ask what sound is the child making instead of /s/"

Dr Helen L. Blake and Dr Kate Margetson and I were invited to present a 2-hour online session titled "Multilingual Children’s Speech Assessment: A Contemporary Global Update"

 Here is a description of the while series from the website https://www.bethebrightest.com/en/events/speech-sound-disorders-series:

Welcome to the Speech Sound Disorders Series for 2025—a fresh look at how we treat speech sound disorders, grounded in what we know now. This year, we’re placing a strong focus on updated, evidence-based practices that reflect the evolving landscape of our field.

Joining the series are international experts Drs. Kelly Farquharson and Sharynne McLeod, bringing global insights and current research to deepen our understanding. From the nuances of treating R to conducting effective multilingual assessments, they’ll guide us through practical strategies that are informed, inclusive, and responsive to today’s clinical challenges.

The series includes:
* The 90-min live session, and the replay, co-presented by Drs. Sharynne McLeod and Kelly Farquharson: "Clinical Use of Speech Sound Acquisition Data"
* A 60-min on-demand course by Dr. Farquharson: "/ɹ/ you frustrated by working on /ɹ/? Try facilitative contexts!"
* An 120-min on-demand course by Drs. McLeod, Kate Margetson, and Helen Blake: "Multilingual Children’s Speech Assessment: A Contemporary Global Update"

This year's series is designed to challenge outdated assumptions and provide clear answers to common questions.

Our presenters are passionate about helping clinicians grow in confidence and competence. With their support—and expertise —you’ll walk away with sharper tools, broader perspective, and renewed clarity in how you treat speech sound disorders today.

Both on-demand courses will be available after the live event on Oct. 8 at 8:30 p.m. ET. 

 

Emails from SLPs across the world - this is why we do our research

Here is a series of emails I received over the past few days from Jeanene M. Johnson, M.A. CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) in Texas (she gave consent for me to share her name). I regularly receive emails like this (but am usually able to be more helpful). I love that we can hear from people who are using our work 

Email 1: 

I am a huge fan of your work!  Can you please tell me if you have updated pictures in the Single Word Test of Consonant Clusters or if you have published a test that uses this test?  I have been using your test and would like an updated version if it is possible.  Your work is amazing! 

 SM response: 

Thank you so much for your lovely email! Unfortunately I haven’t updated my Single Word Test of Consonant Clusters pictures and I haven’t published a test that uses it. I’m glad to hear that it is useful. I often use Pixabay to select new pictures for the work I am doing, but at the moment don’t have time to select updated pictures.

Email 2: 

Thank you Sharyne!  Your work is legendary and it should be! Keep publishing !  You are a true scientist in our field!; Don’t retiree….; You inspire us! Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.  I am just an average private practitioner. 

SM response: 

Thanks so much for your lovely email that has brightened the start to my week!You are exactly the person we do our work for – someone who translates our research into changing children’s lives. Thank you for your important work!