How Speech Therapy Restores Hope, Confidence, and Connection

In this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, host Shamaya Reid sits down with Ebony Turner-Bailey, a licensed speech-language pathologist and founder of Prime Speech Solutions, to explore the transformative power of speech therapy in restoring hope, confidence, and connection for children and families. Ebony shares her journey from Teachers College at Columbia University to international work in Ghana and Haiti, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and real-world practice in shaping her approach. She outlines key early signs of speech and language delays—such as lack of babbling by 12 months, absence of joint attention, and failure to respond to their name—and warns against overlooking red flags that could lead to misdiagnosis, especially in children with autism or selective mutism. The conversation turns to advocacy, with Ebony offering practical steps for parents to effectively engage in school evaluations and push for necessary support. She also discusses her work with adults on accent modification, interview skills, and professional communication, highlighting how confidence in language can unlock career advancement. A major theme is the danger of over-reliance on screens for young children, stressing that real-time, human interaction is essential for language development. Ebony concludes with a powerful call to action: dedicating just 15 minutes of undivided attention daily to a child can dramatically improve communication, connection, and long-term success.