31. Why Movement Is the Missing Link in Speech Therapy: An Occupational Therapist's Core, Gross, Fine Motor & Visual Motor Secrets (with Joe Evans, OT)

Movement isn’t optional in speech therapy—it’s essential. Research shows that children with speech and language impairments are far more likely to also have motor delays. When a child can’t join in multi-step play, it’s not always about words—it’s often about the body.

In this episode, I’m joined by Joe Evans, a passionate pediatric occupational therapist, who reveals his best-kept secrets for building the core, gross motor, fine motor, and visual motor skills that unlock communication and social interaction.

You’ll learn:

• Why motor skills matter just as much as speech skills in therapy

• Easy core-strengthening activities that fit seamlessly into speech sessions

• Obstacle course ideas that improve balance, sequencing, and engagement

• Fine motor strategies that boost both language and classroom participation

• Bonus: Joe’s top activities for visual motor integration (a skill many SLPs overlook)

✨ Want weekly, ready-to-use activities that combine movement, literacy, speech, language, and AAC? Inside the SIS Membership, you’ll get empirically-based, theme-based lessons plus a parent/large group/teletherapy Google Slides deck every week. Join here: https://www.kellyvess.com/sis