What is Speech and Language Therapy?
In speech and language therapy, a Speech-Language Pathologist evaluates and treats individuals with disorders in the areas of speech, language, fluency, social, cognitive and swallowing skills. We treat a broad range of severities, ranging from non-verbal communicators to individuals with a single speech sound error. At TLC, we believe in a multi-disciplinary approach and work collaboratively with other therapists and disciplines (OT/ PT/ABA) to meet each child’s needs. Here at TLC, we target each individual’s needs utilizing evidence-based practice to ensure their success. We believe that effective communication is the key to building self-confidence. When a child is provided with the right tools to communicate their wants and needs, it can reduce a source of their frustration. In addition, it can help them enjoy communicating and build a newfound sense of independence.
Services include
- Comprehensive Evaluation
- Individualized treatment programs based on Clinical assessment and parent concerns
- One-on-one treatment sessions to ensure child receives adequate time and attention to enhance their communication skills
- Collaborate with OTs to meet each child’s sensory needs (therapy conducted with weighted vests, on swings, on crashmats, with headphones, etc.).
- Work with families to determine the best method of communication (AAC, PECS, sign language, iPad, etc.) that a child can use to communicate effectively at home.
- Co-treat to form small groups where our kids can practice their social skills in a natural environment.
- Collaborate with OT and ABA for a multi-disciplinary approach to improve feeding skills in children.
- Offer Interactive Metronome and for brain to improve auditory processing skills, speech production, focus and memory in children.
- Utilizes Beckman Oral Motor Protocol to assess and treat children with oral motor difficulties (i.e. drooling, chewing difficulties, tooth grinding, messy eating, etc.)
Skills addressed by Speech Therapy include (but not limited to):
- mixed receptive and language disorder – difficulty understanding and speaking in word/sentences
- articulation – difficulty saying sounds or a group of sounds
- oral motor disorders– difficulty with coordination of tongue/lips/jaw to produce speech sounds
- stuttering/fluency – difficulty with smooth flow of speech
- hearing loss – difficulty with sound production secondary to hearing lose
- pragmatic disorders – difficulty with social interaction
- auditory processing disorders – difficulty understanding and responding to questions efficiently
- and many more!
Why are our therapists different?
At TLC, we strive to use a team approach to treatment. We recognize that the most successful approach is collaborating with the team. A child’s team includes all people who impact that specific child’s life, and may include but is not limited to: parents, caregivers, siblings, doctors, school staff, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and BCBAs. Treatment sessions at TLC not only focus on building blocks required for improving a child’s skills, but also focus to improve a child’s independence and self-confidence in home, school, and recreational settings.
Our therapists continuously seek out educational opportunities to ensure your child receives the latest and best evidence-based interventions. Our therapists are also members of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).
FAQs
Who has problems with Speech and Language?
Problems with speech and language difficulties are found in individuals throughout the lifespan, in all intellectual levels and throughout all socioeconomic groups. Examples of individuals who may have difficulties with speech or articulation problems may include premature birth, autism and autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, and stress related disorders. According to independent research studies approximately 70% of individuals in schools with a learning disability has difficulties with speech.
What are some signs of language disorder? Some signs and symptoms of language disorder may include:
- Doesn’t smile or interact with other from birth -3 months
- Doesn’t babble by 4-7 months
- Makes few sounds by 7-12 months
- Does not use gestures (e.g. waving, pointing) by 7-12 months
- Doesn’t understand what others say anywhere from 7 months to 2 years
- Says only a few words by 12 -18 months
- Should have at least 50 words by the time they are 2 years old
- Doesn’t put words together to make sentences by 1 ½ - 3 years
- Has trouble playing and talking with other children by 2-3 years
- Has problems with early reading and writing skills/no interest in books or drawing by 2 ½ -3 years
- Doesn’t follow 2-3 step directions by 3 years old