Starter course
Starting Speech - A video course for parents: from first sounds to conversation
Step by step, with an ABA approach: how to help your child want to talk, repeat sounds and words, ask for things, name objects and answer questions. Every lesson comes with notes so you can practise at home.
Course program
9 lessons - in the order in which speech develops
From pre-speech skills to conversation. Each video comes with PDF notes: stages, diagrams and examples that are easy to come back to during practice.
01 Lesson 1 · 10:36 minWhat speech is and where starting it begins
The form and function of speech, pre-speech skills. How motivation, cues in the environment and reinforcement help a child want to talk.
02 Lesson 2 · 13:16 minEchoic skills: repeating sounds and words
How to encourage any sounds, repeat them after your child and gradually transfer control to words - with examples.
03 Lesson 3 · 15:36 minImitation
Why copying movements is the foundation of learning, the signs of imitation and how to teach it. What to do if your child doesn’t imitate yet.
04 Lesson 4 · 12:30 minMand: the child asks
How to see what motivates your child and teach them to ask with a word or a gesture - step by step, gradually fading prompts.
05 Lesson 5 · 11:30 minListener skills
Cooperation (eye contact, sitting at the table), following instructions, telling apart objects, pictures and body parts.
06 Lesson 6 · 5:29 minVisual perception
Matching identical objects and pictures, an object to a picture, associations, puzzles and sorters: stages and number of items.
07 Lesson 7 · 6:21 minTact: the child names
How to teach your child to name objects, actions and emotions: which words to start with and the stages of teaching.
08 Lesson 8 · 5:00 minTelling apart by function, feature and category
“What do we cut with?”, “Show me a vehicle”: more complex listener skills that prepare a child for conversation.
09 Lesson 9 · 18:41 minIntraverbal skills: answers and conversation
How to teach your child to answer questions and keep a conversation going once they repeat, ask and name.
What you get
Course “Starting Speech”
- 9 “Starting Speech” video lessons - 1 h 39 min
- 9 PDF notes - one for every lesson (129 pages)
- Express course “ABA Therapy for Parents”: 6 video lessons (39 min) and notes
- 13 printable skills assessment files
- Alina’s own skills screening: ages 2-5 and 6-9 (PDF)
- Watch whenever it suits you, at your own pace
- Lifetime access to the course
The “Starting Speech” video course is already included in the Gold and Platinum plans of “Key to Independence”. Compare plans
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Reviews
What mothers say
Real messages from course students. Each review links to the original screenshot.
Thank you so much! The lessons are really interesting and easy to follow so far. I try to catch every word Matvei says, and over the last few days his vocabulary has really grown. And what makes me so happy - he started saying two words at a time. The rewards are doing their job…
Honestly, the quality of the workshop is worth far more than the price. No fluff, clear examples. So much valuable information - from getting speech started to building a real dialogue. Our progress is modest, but for me it's real: I realised what I was doing wrong, and now I can build an effective plan for working with my child. Thanks to the workshop my son has more echo responses - and that's just in everyday life, without proper sessions yet.
I want to thank you for the wonderful workshop. This week we saw real progress. I built up echo on single sounds. Sounds that she couldn't pronounce before are starting to come out. On everyday words she now says syllables instead of single sounds. You gave us so much information and the right direction we'd been looking for for a very long time! Thank you.
I've watched all the videos and, honestly, I'm very impressed. I was afraid it would be hard to understand, with lots of complicated terms. But in fact everything is clear and simple - the whole picture just came together: what comes after what and, most importantly, how to do it. I'm so glad I finally decided to ask you for help.
Thank you so much! I watched the intensive - several times, actually. I finally understood how to co-regulate with my child and how to build joint attention. It's a skill for both the parent and the child. We're only at the start of our journey, and of course I'll be using this knowledge.
You explain everything very clearly. In these three days I got my daughter to echo me - only sounds for now. Our morning routine has become calmer - I adjusted a few things following the lessons and everything got more fun. I’ve introduced a new imitation exercise, but I don’t push it. For now I praise her for repeating the exercises.
I've watched all the lessons and everything is starting to fall into place. Our diagnosis is complex and there's a lot we can't do yet… That's why I took the course - most likely I'll have to work with my child on my own for a while. After the lessons I wanted to print out everything you said, Alina, and make it my own handbook for sessions with my child.
Thank you for your work! Six months ago I couldn't have imagined such a result ❤️
I listened to everything - very informative. I was already doing some things with my son, but it turns out it was all inconsistent and chaotic, and now I have an algorithm - challenging, but doable! Thank you so much!
I had long thought about hiding the toys so I could bring them out one at a time and play with purpose, instead of having them lying all over the place - but I didn’t know how to do it properly. Now I have clear instructions.
I rewatched the intensive - everything is super accessible, clear and, most importantly, short, with no fluff. Thank you!
I liked the intensive - very interesting and useful information. We’re gradually starting to follow the recommendations with my child.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the skills screening?
Alina’s own functional screening: step-by-step instructions, about 30 minutes. It helps you see which skills your child already has and where to start. Two versions - for ages 2-5 and 6-9.
My child doesn’t talk at all - is the course right for us?
Yes. The course starts with pre-speech skills - motivation, cooperation, imitation, repeating sounds - which speech is built on.
Do I need special training?
No. The course is made for parents: every skill is broken into stages with examples, and the notes help you practise at home.
How is it different from “Key to Independence”?
“Starting Speech” is a separate course focused on speech. “Key to Independence” is the complete system: speech, independence, behavior. “Starting Speech” is already part of the Gold and Platinum plans - no need to buy it separately.
How do I get access?
After payment, access is sent to your email. Lessons and notes are in your personal account on the site, with lifetime access.
What language is the course in?
The course is currently available in Russian only. Ukrainian, English and other language versions are in progress. Once they are released, everyone who purchased the course will also receive access to them.
Find your program
Not sure where to start?
Take the program finder: answer 4 questions to find the best place to start. The Platinum plan includes a one-to-one consultation with Alina focused on your situation.
