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Jodi Tesser | Pediatric SLP | Screen Addiction Specialist

@speakingofcommunication

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followers

378

following

Helping families break screen addiction
Pediatric SLP, 25+ years
Workshops •Talks
1:1 Coaching
Practical, expert-backed tips⬇️

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If you’ve ever traveled through a NYC subway station or airport, you’ve probably seen a sign that says “If you see something, say something.”

While working as a pediatric speech-language pathologist in my private practice, I was seeing something very concerning and I didn’t know what to say about it.

My clients weren’t achieving their developmental milestones, more children were struggling with imaginative play, eye contact and the overall social use of language. AND the parent questions all changed… “why doesn’t he listen? why is she OBSESSED with her iPad”

Meanwhile at home, I had a “holy sh-t moment” with my own young daughter.

I was downstairs cleaning up after dinner. I heard the shower upstairs running for a long time. Like a really long time. I walked upstairs to tell my daughter to get out of the shower. When I opened the bathroom door, what I saw through the steam was an empty shower. My daughter was hiding in the linen closet next to the shower watching whatever she was watching on her iPad.

I felt the same way I imagine I would have felt if I caught her vaping, or drinking. I thought to myself “omg, she’s an addict.”

I knew in that moment I needed to help her and figure out what screens were doing to our children’s brains.

I read every piece of information I could get my hands on. I reviewed all of my studies of early childhood development and language acquisition. I took all the training I had as a pediatric slp, all the workshops I hosted as a certified positive discipline educator (kind and firm parenting program) and founded a company called Speaking of … Communication, so that I could share all I learned and deliver it to as many families as possible.

Today I offer digital wellness workshops to parents, educators, and children, as well as 1:1 coaching for individual families.

My approach is to help families use technology as a complement rather than a substitute to a healthy happy childhood (and adulthood).

It’s easier than you think and also not that easy. If you’re looking for help, I’m happy to offer what I’ve learned and lived through.

DM for more information on how to get started. by @speakingofcommunication

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a month ago

Screens are addictive. When you pick up a phone, you get a big hit of dopamine. Dopamine is a brain chemical responsible for motivation. It is reward seeking. This is great when you are trying to achieve a goal. But when you get a big dopamine hit when you pick up your phone, it motivates you to… check your phone again. Dopamine makes you crave the feel good brain chemicals like endorphins (pleasure) or serotonin (mood regulation).

Here’s why you feel worse when you scroll on Instagram or TikTok. That big hit of dopamine gives your brain a message “I want that” which makes you continue scrolling. But what you really want (feel good brain chemicals) never comes. You get addicted to the chasing chemical (dopamine) and never reach serotonin or endorphins. This is why scrolling is considered to be “bottomless.” You never feel satisfied or good but you chase it for hours giving advertisers plenty of time to push the products they’re selling. It’s not your fault you’re addicted. Phones and apps like Instagram and TikTok were designed to steal your time and monetize your attention.

For more information on screen addiction and how to break it, follow me @speakingofcommunication by @speakingofcommunication

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2 months ago

If you’re ready for a step-by-step plan to reduce screen time in your home, join me for my upcoming Breaking Screen Addiction Webinar!

We’ll discuss practical strategies that are easy to use right away.

Registration for 10/21 and 11/09 is open.

✨Click the link in my bio to register by @speakingofcommunication

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4 days ago

Smartphones and screens were designed to be addictive. No wonder why it feels impossible to stop doom scrolling and get our children to put their phones down! I have spent more than a decade studying the effects of screens on our brains. My programs provide you with a step-by-step plan to begin to break the addiction. Sign ups for my webinars through TurningTeen are live now for: October 21st 11am EDT and November 9 7pm ED. Register at Turningteen.com: Workshops With Jodi. DM me @speakingofcommunication for more information about upcoming in-person workshops or to book 1:1 family coaching by @speakingofcommunication

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9 days ago

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10 days ago

Book Recommendation 📚
The Amazing Generation written by
Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price

This book is written for children (8-12) It has large font and illustrations but contains much of the most important information Jonathan Haidt discusses in his New York Times bestseller, The Anxious Generation.

Reading this book with your children will:

1. Teach the four core rules designed to protect children from the harms of a phone-based childhood.

2. Begin a conversation about why parents want to delay getting their children smartphones.

3. Reduce some of the battles about breaking screen addiction.

4. Get you and your child off screens and back to reading.

5. Create connection over a shared experience.

And… it’s still Prime Day for 36 more hours!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F87C5F9G/?bestFormat=true&k=the%20amazing%20generation%20book&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k1_1_14_de&crid=142HJFOOE4D4Y&sprefix=the%20amazing%20ge#immersive-view_1791318288156 by @speakingofcommunication

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11 days ago

BIG NEWS at Turning Teen! 🎉📱
We are so excited to welcome Jodi Tesser to the Turning Teen team!

If you’ve ever wondered How much screen time is too much? When should I get my kid a smartphone? How do I set limits without fighting about it constantly? What is all of this doing to their developing brain?! 🧠 — Jodi is your person.

Jodi is a pediatric speech-language pathologist who has spent more than a decade studying how screens and technology are affecting kids’ communication, attention, emotional regulation, relationships, and development.

And what we especially love about Jodi’s approach? This isn’t about getting rid of technology. It’s about helping our kids learn to use it without letting it control them.

Jodi will be bringing her BREAKING SCREEN ADDICTION workshops for parents and educators to Turning Teen, with practical, realistic strategies for navigating screens, smartphones, social media, and AI. 📱

Because helping our kids grow up healthy today means talking about more than puberty. It means helping them learn how to navigate the digital world, too. 💜

Welcome to the team, Jodi! We’re so happy you’re here.

➡️Interested in bringing Jodi’s workshop to your school, parent group, or community? DM us or email info@turningteen.com. by @speakingofcommunication

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a month ago

Protecting our brains from screens and smartphones the first and last of the day sets you up for a more regulated nervous system (crucial for emotional control, managing stress, etc..) AND a more restful night sleep.

Life is infinitely better in my house when we’ve all slept well and we have emotional control and can manage stress.

Here are 3 easy ways to begin to make that happen in your house:

1. Buy an alarm clock.
The biggest excuse kids give for “needing” a phone in their room is to wake them up

2. Charge all phones and computers in a charging station outside their bedroom. Even school laptops have access to YouTube, games and videos you don’t want your children watching

3. No phones before school

I’ve been trying no phones before school for ME. It’s hard and I feel so much better when I do it.

Comment below for what digital challenges you’re facing at home. by @speakingofcommunication

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12 days ago

A fun night for a great cause! 🩷🩷🩷 We all know someone who has been affected. Let’s come together to make a difference!! And who doesn’t love cocktails and dancing to 80s music?💃🕺October 22. Pearl River Saloon. 6-9pm by @speakingofcommunication

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17 days ago

AI sent the Turning Teen team to the Emmys- and apparently, we see puberty everywhere.

➡️Swipe for asymmetrical breast development, hormones, body hair, periods, emotions and screen addiction…all dressed for this year’s blue carpet.

Which look wins Best Puberty Performance? 🏆 Let us know below ⬇️ taken in Peacock Theater by @speakingofcommunication

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a month ago

Congratulations to these Ridgewood, NJ Supermoms! You are making a difference ❤️ taken in Ridgewood, New Jersey by @speakingofcommunication

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a month ago

“Filming this song, will stop you from EXPERIENCING this song!

“If you are doing this📲, you don’t do this💃”

Follow me @speakingofcommunication and DM me for practical advice about how to put your phone away and get back to living in IRL by @speakingofcommunication

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a month ago