What Autumn Teaches Us About Change: Helping Kids Embrace Seasonal Transitions Through Speech Therapy in NYC

I don’t know about you. But I find the transition from summer into fall both thrilling and nerve-racking all at the same time.

All these emotions wrapped up into one roller coaster of a season full of changes and transitions.

Maybe your little ones are also feeling the shifting energy of the season?

In the autumn, the air becomes cooler. Sweaters get thrown over heads, and bedtimes come a bit earlier.

There is both excitement and nervousness in the air.

Children’s minds are filled with thoughts of new and changing classrooms, teachers, and friends.

For highly sensitive and neurodivergent children, these seasonal shifts and changes can feel downright abrupt!

Oftentimes, these moments of seasonal change can be overwhelming. This is both physically and emotionally true for highly sensitive children and people.

When Change Feels Big: How Kids Experience the Shift of Seasons

Children who are highly sensitive to sensory changes and temperature shifts can feel these seasonal transitions deeply on a physical, sensory, and emotional level.

On a physical level, these cooler temperature shifts can feel abrupt and jarring to one’s sensory system.

Cooler temperatures can often cause increased muscle tightness. They can also cause increased sensitivity to pain, and reduced mobility and flexibility of the joints.

On an emotional level, new schedules begin. Old schedules fade away, bringing many changes.

These seasonal changes can be challenging for those of us who prefer and thrive within a predictable routine and schedule.

As busy schedules resume, it is important to be mindful that differently-abled people may need additional time to rest, restore, and replenish their energy sources.

Nurturing Balance and Ease During Autumn’s Transitions with Speech Therapy

A new school year full of changes can create a perfect storm for sensory overload, emotional outbursts, and even total nervous system shutdown.

So, what can we do as parents, therapists, teachers, and caregivers to provide support for a smoother transition into autumn and the new school year?

I invite you to create sacred moments for your child to rest, reflect, and restore during this transitional autumn season.

I invite you to create pockets of calm with grounding activities for the whole family – as we transition into this bountiful fall harvest season.

Here are some suggestions for grounding activities to aid in the fall transition:

Review any new teachers, classrooms, classes, routines, or homework with your child as a daily routine.
Set up a predictable and consistent bedtime and sleep schedule.
Plan your morning, midday, and evening meals with your child. Making sure to fill up the menu with nutritious protein, vegetables, fruits, and high-quality grains for increased energy!
Allow for some unstructured downtime after school. This could include: video games, chilling in bed, coloring, watching a video, or sensory play.
Get some physical exercise and fresh air in – go for a walk in the park or a stroll around your neighborhood. Playing an I Spy game.
On the weekends, consider exploring all the amazing fall activities around – like apple and pumpkin picking, finding a new hiking trail, or visiting a pop-up museum. Soak up all the cultural events around this amazing New York State!

These health and wellness cornerstones of adequate sleep, nutrition, and exercise are crucial to maintain during this fall transition.

Finding Wonder in the Changing Colors of Fall & Speech Therapy in NYC

Discovering creative activities to explore the fall wonderment within New York State is one of my favorite things to do!

I invite you to join me in pausing today to notice the changing colors of the leaves, the crisp fall air, and maybe even the delicious tang of a freshly picked apple!

If your child is struggling with the new academic school year, we can help!

Are you ready to experience the difference of personalized care and speech therapy at Chatty Child?

Chatty Child’s speech therapists can assess your child’s speech and language skills and treatment plan to address any areas of concern, while working seamlessly with your child’s medical team to achieve the best therapeutic outcomes for your child and family.

To book an in-person or online speech therapy assessment and treatment sessions with Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC/SLP, please visit our website at: www.chattychild.com; email: info@chattychild.com; or call: 347 491 4451

Sincerely,

Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC/SLP

Embrace Change With Speech Therapy in NYC

Just like the seasons, children go through times of transition—and with the right support, these changes can become moments of growth. At Chatty Child, our team specializing in speech therapy in NYC helps kids navigate new routines, environments, and emotions through play, language, and creativity. Using an integrative, child-centered approach, our team supports communication skills while nurturing flexibility, self-expression, and confidence during times of change.

Here’s how to begin your child’s journey with Chatty Child:

Schedule a complimentary 15-minute call to discuss your child’s needs and learn how speech therapy can support smoother transitions this fall.
Book a comprehensive evaluation to understand your child’s communication strengths and sensory sensitivities, creating a plan tailored to their growth.
Begin personalized therapy sessions that blend sensory play, communication practice, and grounding techniques to help your child adjust with confidence.
Watch your child thrive as they learn to adapt, express themselves, and find joy in both the predictable and the new.

Every season brings change, but it can also bring connection, resilience, and wonder. Let’s help your child find comfort and confidence in every transition.

Helping Kids Thrive: Comprehensive Care at Chatty Child

At Chatty Child, we believe every child should have the confidence and tools to express themselves with curiosity, joy, and connection. Our approach to speech therapy looks beyond language. It’s about nurturing the whole child. We help children build the communication, cognitive, and emotional foundations they need to engage meaningfully at home, in school, and in the world around them.

Our therapists partner closely with parents and caregivers to design personalized treatment plans that promote growth, self-expression, and confidence across all environments.

InterAct – A creative program that blends stories, role-play, and imagination to build expressive language, confidence, and social connection.
Occupational Therapy – Enhances sensory integration, fine motor development, and independence across daily routines.
Teletherapy – Flexible online speech and occupational therapy services available to families throughout New York State, offering expert care from the comfort of home.
Tutoring – Customized academic support in literacy, writing, and problem-solving designed to spark curiosity and build academic confidence.
Functional Nutrition – Personalized recommendations that support focus, self-regulation, and emotional balance during key growth stages.
Consulting – Guidance for parents, educators, and professionals to create consistent, supportive strategies across home, school, and therapy settings.
Group Programs – Engaging, play-based sessions that strengthen communication, social-emotional skills, and confidence through collaboration and creativity.

By combining evidence-based practices with imaginative, heart-centered care, our team helps children find their voice, develop resilience, and flourish—both in therapy and beyond.

Empowering Kids Through Communication: Meet Heather Boerner, SLP

Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC/SLP, is a New York State–licensed and nationally certified speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience offering pediatric speech therapy in NYC. In addition to her extensive clinical expertise, Heather is a certified mindfulness and meditation instructor, a trauma-informed provider, and a proud neurodiverse, differently-abled individual whose personal journey deeply shapes her therapeutic approach.

Motivated by her own experiences, Heather founded Chatty Child Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, PLLC, an inclusive practice devoted to helping children strengthen communication, confidence, and emotional resilience. She is also the author of Carrie the Colorful Chameleon, a children’s book that celebrates self-expression and belonging, complete with a parent-and-teacher-friendly learning guide.

Heather and her team provide both in-person sessions at their Tribeca clinic and virtual services throughout New York State—helping children find their voice, embrace creativity, and grow into confident communicators.