Course Description

This course introduces speech motor development as a skill-learning process that unfolds along a structured, extended timeline, moving from early jaw-supported speech patterns to progressively finer lip–jaw, tongue–jaw, and within-tongue differentiation, with increasing stability into the school-age years. Learners will apply a modern instrumental lens to common pediatric speech sound error patterns, emphasizing how perceptual labels can obscure underlying articulatory strategies and limitations, and why instrumental methods (e.g., ultrasound/EPG/acoustics) strengthen clinical decision-making. Building on articulatory phonology, motor-based profiles, and treatment responsiveness, the course bridges developmental theory to clinic-ready assessment observations and precision-oriented intervention planning.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify early speech motor organization patterns (including jaw-supported speech).
• Explain the developmental shift toward articulatory differentiation, including lip–jaw, tongue–jaw, and within-tongue control.
• Describe how speech motor stabilization (consistency, timing, precision) continues into the school-age years and supports speech sound acquisition and generalization.
• Describe key milestones in speech motor differentiation and stabilization and relate them to expected speech sound change.

Jennifer Moore, EdD CCC-SLP, PC/I, COM

Dr. Jennifer Moore is a speech-language pathologist who co-owns a multidisciplinary private practice in northern NJ. Dr. Moore has previously held positions in academia, home health, public schools, and pediatric hospitals before creating her integrative center. Dr. Moore is a PROMPT Certified Instructor, certified orofacial myologist (COM) and a subject matter expert in motor speech development and disorders. Her research projects pertain to the sub population of children who present with coexisting motor speech dysfunction and autism as well as various topics in pediatric motor speech disorders. Dr. Moore has been both selected and invited to present on various topics related to her expertise at conferences at the state, national and international levels. She currently offers advanced training to SLPs through her online community, Next Level Motor. Her mission is to lessen the research-to-clinic knowledge gap by creating resources using evidence-based practices for clinical application. 

Aravind Namasivayam, Ph.D., S-LP(C)., Reg. CASLPO

Dr. Aravind Namasivayam is an internationally recognized expert in speech motor control and pediatric speech disorders. He holds a clinical degree in Speech-Language Pathology, with advanced specialization in Neuroscience at the doctoral and post-doctoral levels. Dr. Namasivayam has led several government- and industry-funded randomized clinical trials, driving policy changes and shaping evidence-based care pathways for children. He has authored 53 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and delivered over 80 presentations and workshops at international conferences. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including recognition from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Stuttering Foundation of America (SFA), Apraxia Kids, and the National Award for Excellence in Applied Research from Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC). Dr. Namasivayam teaches speech physiology, research methods, and pediatric speech sound disorders at the University of Toronto. In 2018, he founded the Speech Research Centre Inc., dedicated to making evidence-informed practices accessible to clinicians worldwide. He is also the co-founder of Hear2Speak.org, a non-profit organization committed to improving speech-language pathology and audiology services in underserved regions globally.

"The instructors excelled in teaching and had a deep understanding of the subject matter."

"I loved the connection between the research articles and how we can implement the findings into our current clinical practice."

"Fantastic blend of research and real-world clinical applications. "

"I love that the course was 1 hour in the evening! It was concise and filled with valuable, easily applicable informative."