Speech Language Therapy

Speech Language Pathologists and Speech Therapists use a variety of techniques to help your child communicate and interact with others successfully.   We use play to work on receptive language (the ability to understand words spoken to you), expressive language (the ability to use words to express yourself) and the social aspects of language.  We emphasize a multi-disciplinary team approach when working with children.  We address:

  • Language:  verbal, gestural and augmented communication of thoughts
  • Pragmatics:  the function of speech such as expressing our desires, expressing our needs, greeting others, saying ‘no’ to reject something, etc
  • Articulation:  how the structures of the face and mouth (such as lips/cheeks/tongue) move to produce the sounds of speech and combine them into words
  • Social/Play skills: interacting with friends, adults, toys and games
  • Oral motor skills: the ability to move the structures in one’s mouth to make speech sounds, chew and swallow food.
  • Alternative Communication and Assistive technology:  specialized techniques to help children communicate such as gestures, sign language, pictures and computer based systems.
  • Motor planning skills: coming up with an idea, sequencing the steps, executing the motoric language plan.
  • Auditory processinghow the brain processes information (such as the sounds of speech).
  • Fluencythe smooth flow of speech

Eligibility

Your child will need a speech therapy evaluation to determine if s/he qualifies for services.

How to obtain an evaluation:

  • Contact your local Health Department (Early Intervention) for children younger than 3 years of age.
  • Contact your local school district for children 3 years and older.

Tips to Support Communication:

For tips to support communication, please click here