Are you wondering if your child’s speech patterns are affecting their ability to read and spell? In this episode of the Homeschool Yo Kids podcast, host Jae sits down with Karin Kucayan, a speech-language pathologist who specializes in helping homeschool families and teenagers find their voice.

Karin shares her unique journey growing up in a multilingual home and how those early experiences led her to a career in communication. We dive into the broad scope of speech-language pathology, moving beyond just speech sounds to cover executive functioning, social pragmatics, and even public speaking anxiety. Corrine explains why many teens struggle with communication in a digital world and how virtual therapy can provide a comfortable and effective space for them to grow.

We also tackle the big questions parents often have about development. You will learn about the strong correlation between speech sounds and literacy, the red flags to look for in early childhood, and why the wait and see approach might not always be the best path. From using sign language as a tool for regulation to the importance of parental self-care, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for every homeschool parent.

Website: https://www.speechfitslp.com/Email: speechfitslp@gmail.com

Phone: 818-660-6351IG: @speechfitslpTPT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/speechfit-slpBook a Call: https://calendly.com/speechfitslp/complementary-consultationLI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-hartunian-koukeyan/ | LI: www.linkedin.com/company/speechfit-slp/ BIO: Karin “Careen” Hartunian Koukeyan, MS, CCC-SLP, is the founder of SpeechFit, A Speech-Language Pathology Corporation, a solo practice providing clinical, corporate, and consulting services. With over 25 years of experience across private practice, outpatient, telehealth, school, early intervention, and adult home health settings, Karin brings deep expertise in communication and leadership. As a Corporate Speech Pathologist, she coaches professionals to enhance their communication effectiveness, executive presence, and confidence in the workplace. A pioneer in telepractice since 2010, she has delivered services in both educational and healthcare environments and continues to advance best practices in the field. Karin regularly presents at state and national conferences and develops content for articles, podcasts, and webinars on a broad range of topics in communication, telepractice, and professional growth. A strong advocate for expanding access to care through telehealth, she currently serves as the 2025-2027 Board Member, Secretary-Treasurer for California Speech Language Hearing Association (CSHA), 2026 Co-Chair of the ASHA Telepractice Topic Committee. She also served as the elected 2023-2025 Associate Coordinator for ASHA Special Interest Group 18 (Telepractice).Chapters0:00 Meet Karin Kucayan and the Homeschool Yo Kids podcast4:30 The journey from psychology to speech pathology9:15 Understanding public speaking anxiety in middle and high school14:00 The benefits of telepractice for homeschool families19:20 Breaking down the wide range of speech therapy services24:45 Executive functioning and social connection for teenagers29:15 How speech sound disorders impact reading and spelling34:30 Navigating the shift to virtual therapy post-COVID39:00 When to seek professional help for speech delays44:15 Using sign language and AAC devices as communication tools48:45 Practical self-care strategies for busy parents53:00 Final advice and where to find SpeechFit servicesIf you found this episode helpful, please like and subscribe for more resources to support your homeschooling journey. Check out the links in the description to connect with Karin and explore the Homeschool Yo Kids Expo!#homeschooling #speechtherapy #parentingadvice #literacy #specialeducation