Why does it feel like kids forget instructions the moment they hear them? In this episode of More Than Words, host Tristen is joined by licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Erika Madison to unpack how executive function plays a critical role in memory. Rather than being a true “memory problem,” many everyday struggles with forgetting directions, losing materials, or blanking on tests are rooted in how the brain organizes, holds, and retrieves information.

Dr. Madison breaks down executive function in clear, relatable terms and explains how skills like attention, working memory, organization, and planning directly impact learning and recall. Together, they explore why memory demands increase as children get older and share practical, realistic strategies parents and educators can use to reduce memory load and better support kids at home and school.

What You’ll Learn

• What executive function is and why it acts like the brain’s “CEO”
• How working memory supports learning and following directions in real time
• Why kids can seem to “know it yesterday” but forget it during tests
• How executive function challenges can look like memory problems
• Why memory demands increase as academic tasks become more complex
• How organization and planning affect memory retrieval
• Practical strategies to reduce memory load and support executive functioning

About Dr. Erika Madison Dr. Erika Madison, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist at MindWell Psychology, where she specializes in comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults. Her clinical focus includes executive functioning, attention, learning differences, ADHD, autism, and emotional regulation. Dr. Madison is known for helping families understand the “why” behind a child’s learning or behavioral challenges and translating assessment results into clear, actionable recommendations that support success at home and school. With a background that also includes forensic psychology, she brings a deep understanding of cognitive processes and behavior, along with a practical, compassionate approach to care.

Links & Resources

• Learn more about Dr. Erika Madison and MindWell Psychology: https://mindwell.us/

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In this episode of More Than Words, we sit down with Madison Brumbaugh, M.S., CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist and clinical assistant professor at The George Washington University whose work focuses on supporting individuals with complex communication needs. Madison has experience serving clients across the lifespan and working in public schools, private practice, and home health settings. She holds master’s degrees in Educational Research and Communication Sciences and Disorders from Georgia State University and is currently pursuing a PhD in Translational Health Sciences at GW. Madison is also active in professional leadership and advocacy, including roles with ASHA and state speech-language-hearing associations.

Whether you are new to AAC or have some background, this conversation highlights a fresh and essential perspective: how we can design AAC supports with students, not for them.

Madison breaks down what AAC actually is and what it looks like in real classrooms and therapy settings. From there, we explore how involving students in the design of AAC tools can increase engagement, support literacy, and help learners express themselves more meaningfully across environments.

We also discuss both low-tech and high-tech AAC supports, including visual organizers and personalized digital tools, and how students can help shape these tools to better meet their communication and learning needs. Throughout the conversation, Madison shares practical examples and mindset shifts that educators, therapists, and families can apply right away.

In this episode, you will learn:

• What AAC is and who it can support
• What it means to design AAC supports with students
• Why student involvement matters for meaningful communication
• How students can participate in designing both low-tech and high-tech AAC tools
• The connection between AAC, literacy, and classroom engagement
• Practical steps educators and families can take to center student voice

This episode is ideal for educators, therapists, and caregivers who want to better understand AAC and create communication supports that truly reflect the students using them.

Links and Resources:

• Madison’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-b-b171a9155/
• Madison’s information at George Washington University: Madison Brumbaugh
• About Madison Brumbaugh | DC Speech & Literacy

Make sure to subscribe and follow us on social media so you never miss an episode!

• Website: http://www.readingllcenter.com
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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-reading-and-language-learning-center

Oral health is about so much more than cavities. In this episode of More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child, Tristen sits down with Dr. Sheyda Maghsoudi, board-certified pediatric dentist and founder of Lansdowne Pediatric Dentistry, to explore how oral structure, airway health, and daily habits influence speech, feeding, sleep, behavior, and learning.

Dr. Maghsoudi explains how tongue position, jaw and palate development, and breathing patterns play a critical role in how children communicate and function at school. She also shares early warning signs families and therapists can watch for, why collaboration between dentists and other specialists, like speech language pathologists, matters, and how personalized, sensory-informed dental care can transform a child’s experience.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that supporting the mouth and airway is a part of supporting the whole child.

What You’ll Learn:

• How oral health connects to speech, feeding, and learning
• Why tongue posture and nasal breathing are critical for development
• Early signs of oral or airway issues, including mouth breathing and picky eating
• How tongue ties can impact function and why team-based care matters
• The importance of collaboration between dentists, SLPs, OTs, and other providers
• How dental care can be adapted for children with sensory sensitivities
• Everyday habits that support healthy jaw, facial, and airway development
• A real-life example of how improving breathing changed a child’s focus and behavior

Dr. Sheyda Maghsoudi is a board-certified pediatric dentist and the founder of Lansdowne Pediatric Dentistry in Lansdowne, Virginia. She takes a whole-child approach to oral health, focusing on how dental development, airway health, and oral function influence speech, feeding, sleep, and learning. Dr. Maghsoudi is passionate about early intervention and interdisciplinary collaboration, working closely with speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other pediatric specialists to support children’s overall development. She is especially known for her compassionate, individualized care for children with sensory sensitivities and neurodiverse needs.

Dr. Maghsoudi’s Practice: https://lansdownepediatricdentistry.com/

Lansdowne’s Phone number: 571-210-2771

Reading & Language Learning Center:

Website: http://www.readingllcenter.com

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-reading-and-language-learning-center

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