The Real Work of Early Communication: Michael Neary on Parent Coaching and Early Language

What if the most powerful speech therapy doesn’t happen in a clinic but at home, during everyday life?In this episode of Real Work, Jennifer Tarle sits down with Michael Neary, a speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience and the founder of Chattertots, LLC. Together, they explore early communication, parent coaching, and why early intervention is less about “fixing” children and more about empowering families.Michael shares his journey through public schools, hospitals, early intervention, and private practice. Then discusses why he chose to step away from traditional therapy models to focus on caregiver coaching. Drawing on his background in theater and music, he brings creativity, flexibility, and joy into communication work with young children and their families.In this conversation, we discuss:-What Birth-to-Three and early intervention really look like-Early communication red flags parents shouldn’t ignore-Why parent coaching creates better outcomes than weekly therapy alone-How play, music, and following a child’s lead support language growth-Navigating waitlists, burnout, and broken systems in healthcare and education-Why asking questions early is not panic—it’s powerThis episode is for parents, educators, clinicians, and anyone interested in meaningful work that supports children, families, and real connection.🔗 Learn more / connect with Michael🌐 Website: https://www.chattertotsllc.com📸 Instagram: @chattertotsllc📘 Facebook: Chattertots, LLC💼 LinkedIn: Chattertots, LLC