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Prevent Choking at Your Labor Day BBQ: Safe Eating Tips for Kids & Adults
Enjoy the holiday, make memories, and keep everyone safe around the picnic table. Labor Day is one of the biggest BBQ weekends of the year. From hot dogs and burgers to grapes, chips, steak, and corn on the cob, backyard favorites are delicious—but some can also be choking hazards. At Marigold Speech & Co., we work with children and adults every day who have swallowing and feeding challenges. The good news? A few simple precautions can dramatically reduce the risk of choking
Lauren Hatchett
Sep 44 min read
Back-to-School Feeding: When the Lunchbox Comes Home Full
It’s back-to-school season! New teachers, new routines, new classrooms—and for some families, a lunchbox that keeps coming home almost as full as when it left. If your child eats well at home but struggles to eat lunch or snacks at school, you may be wondering: Why isn’t my child eating at school? Is this just picky eating, or could something else be going on? The school cafeteria is a very different eating environment than your kitchen table. Noise, smells, time constraints,
Lauren Hatchett
Aug 285 min read
Brain Fog, Forgetfulness, or a Cognitive-Communication Problem? What Adults Should Know During National Wellness Month
August is National Wellness Month, a time to think about the many pieces that contribute to feeling and functioning your best. We often think about wellness in terms of physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and mental health—but what about your ability to think clearly, remember information, communicate effectively, and manage everyday life? For adults, cognitive and communication health are important parts of overall wellness, too. At Marigold Speech & Co. in Janesville, Wisc
Lauren Hatchett
Aug 145 min read
🌞 When Summer Feels Too Big: Overstimulation, Big Emotions, and How Occupational Therapy Can Help
Summer is often pictured as slow mornings, relaxed schedules, and easy days outside. But for many children—and their families—summer can feel very different. Instead of calm, it can feel loud, unpredictable, and overwhelming. At Marigold Speech & Co, we see this shift every year: more meltdowns, more sensitivity, more fatigue, and more emotional ups and downs once school routines pause. And if that’s happening in your home, you’re not alone—and nothing is “wrong” with your ch
Lauren Hatchett
Jul 313 min read


Our Summit Sensory Gym Just Got Even More Magical ✨🌼
At Marigold Speech & Co., we believe therapy should be engaging, meaningful, and fun. That’s exactly why our Summit Sensory Gym has become one of the most loved spaces in our clinic—for our therapists, our families, and especially our clients. And now… it has a brand-new look. Over the past week, local artist Jill generously donated her time, talent, and creativity to transform one of our walls into a breathtaking nature-inspired mural. What was once a blank wall is now a col
Lauren Hatchett
Jul 243 min read
National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month: How Speech and Occupational Therapy Make a Difference
July is National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, promoting understanding, and celebrating the incredible strength of individuals born with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial differences. At Marigold Speech & Co. in Janesville, Wisconsin, we are honored to support children and families affected by cleft and craniofacial conditions through specialized speech therapy, feeding therapy, and occupational therapy
Lauren Hatchett
Jul 103 min read
5 Signs Swallowing Difficulties Shouldn’t Be Ignored
June is Dysphagia Awareness Month at Marigold Speech & Co. Swallowing is something most people do without thinking—until it starts to feel different. Difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia, can significantly impact health, safety, and quality of life. At Marigold Speech & Co., we are recognizing Dysphagia Awareness Month this June by helping adults, families, and care providers identify early signs of swallowing disorders and understand when to seek evaluation. Access matt
Lauren Hatchett
Jun 262 min read
Music & Speech Development: Simple Songs That Support Language at Home
Did you know one of the easiest ways to support your child’s speech and language development is already built into your daily routine? Music! You don’t need flashcards, worksheets, or hours of preparation to help your child build communication skills. Singing simple children’s songs together creates natural opportunities for language learning, imitation, attention, social interaction, and early speech development. At Marigold Speech & Co., we love using music in speech ther
Lauren Hatchett
Jun 192 min read
Stroke Rehabilitation After a Stroke: Why Comprehensive Therapy Matters
Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States experiences a stroke. Recovery can be physically, emotionally, and cognitively overwhelming, but the right rehabilitation team can make a life-changing difference. At Marigold Speech & Co, we specialize in helping stroke survivors regain communication, swallowing, cognition, independence, and confidence through personalized speech and occupational therapy services in Rock County, Wisconsin. As we move into June and recognize Aph
Lauren Hatchett
Jun 54 min read
Navigating Pediatric Feeding Challenges: From Complex Dysphagia to Picky Eaters
May is Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) Awareness Month — a time to bring awareness to the very real feeding and swallowing challenges many children and families experience every day. At Marigold Speech & Co., pediatric feeding therapy is one of our core specialties. We support children with complex medical dysphagia, sensory-based feeding difficulties, oral motor challenges, ARFID, tube feeding transitions, and extreme picky eating. Most importantly, we support families na
Marigold Speech
May 293 min read
Bilingual Speech Therapy Matters: Supporting Communication Through Spanish Podcasts for Kids
At Marigold Speech & Co., we believe every child deserves access to language-rich learning opportunities that celebrate their culture, strengthen communication skills, and support meaningful connection. Access matters — and bilingual speech therapy plays an important role in helping children thrive in both languages. A special shoutout to Rachel and George for continuing to advocate for inclusive, accessible resources for families and children learning in more than one langua
Lauren Hatchett
May 222 min read


Marigold Speech & Co. Celebrates Open House & Ribbon Cutting in Janesville, WI
Wednesday May 13th was a truly unforgettable day for Marigold Speech & Co. as we officially celebrated our Open House and Ribbon Cutting in Janesville, Wisconsin. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Forward Janesville for hosting such an incredible event and helping us welcome the community into our new space. The turnout exceeded anything we could have imagined. Seeing so many friends, families, professionals, and community members gathered together in support o
Lauren Hatchett
May 152 min read
💙🧩 Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month Through Children’s Books
April is Autism Acceptance Month, a meaningful time to promote autism awareness, acceptance, and inclusion for individuals on the autism spectrum. At Marigold Speech & Co , we are committed to supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through compassionate, individualized care. This month is an opportunity to deepen understanding of neurodiversity and reinforce our mission of helping every child feel seen, supported, and empowered to communicate and thrive in th
Lauren Hatchett
Apr 173 min read
Toe Walking & the Vestibular System: Why It Matters More Than You Think
April is Occupational Therapy Month, making it the perfect time to highlight how occupational therapists help children move, regulate, and participate in daily life. One area that often gets overlooked—but is deeply important—is toe walking. Many families are told, “They’ll grow out of it.” But clinically, that’s not always the full picture. At Marigold Speech & Co., we look deeper—because toe walking is often a signal, not just a phase. What Is Toe Walking? Toe walking occur
Lauren Hatchett
Apr 103 min read
What Is Occupational Therapy? Celebrating OT Month This April
April is Occupational Therapy Month, a time to recognize the incredible impact occupational therapists (OTs) have on helping individuals build independence and thrive in daily life. At Marigold Speech & Co., we value a collaborative, whole-person approach to care—and occupational therapy is a key partner in supporting meaningful participation across the lifespan. What Is Occupational Therapy? Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession focused on helping people develop, r
Lauren Hatchett
Apr 33 min read
Swallowing Difficulties in Adults: When to Seek Help (and Why Early Intervention Matters)
Do you cough or choke when you eat or drink? Does food feel like it gets "stuck" in your throat? You are not alone — and you do not have to live this way. Swallowing problems are more common than most people think, and **getting help early can make a big difference.** At **Marigold Speech & Co.**, we help adults with swallowing difficulties right here in our office — no hospital stay needed. Keep reading to learn what swallowing problems look like, when to call us, and how we
Lauren Hatchett
Mar 205 min read
⸻ Brain Injury Awareness Month: How Speech Therapy Supports Brain Injury Recovery
🧠 March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the impact of brain injuries and the therapies that help people rebuild their lives. A brain injury can affect many aspects of daily functioning, including memory, attention, communication, organization, and problem-solving. These challenges may appear immediately after an injury or develop over time as individuals return to work, school, and daily routines. The encouraging news is that recovery and imp
Lauren Hatchett
Mar 133 min read
My Child Has a Lisp — Should I Be Worried?
“My child has a lisp… should I be worried?” This is one of the most common questions we hear at Marigold Speech & Co LLC — and the honest answer is: it depends (don’t you just love that answer?). Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense. The “S” Sound Can Be Tricky The /s/ sound is one of the more complex speech sounds for young children to master. It requires: Precise tongue placement Strong airflow control Coordination between the tongue and teeth Because of
Lauren Hatchett
Mar 63 min read
Let’s Talk About Insurance
Insurance can feel confusing. Big words. Lots of rules. Surprise bills. Let’s break it down in a simple way. First — Who Is Marigold in This? Marigold is a third-party biller. That means: We provide speech therapy. We provide occupational therapy. We send claims to your insurance company. Your insurance decides what they will pay. You do not have a contract with Marigold about your insurance plan. You have a contract with your health insurance company. Your insurance company
Lauren Hatchett
Feb 273 min read
Picky Eating in Children: How Speech Therapy Can Help
Picky eating is one of the most common concerns parents raise during early childhood—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. While many children go through phases of selective eating, ongoing or severe picky eating may signal an underlying feeding or sensory-based challenge that benefits from professional support. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play a key role in evaluating and treating picky eating, especially when food refusal begins to interfere with nutrition, g
Lauren Hatchett
Feb 203 min read
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