What is Speech Language Therapy?
Speech language therapy assists children in acquiring communication skills that help them to participate in the world around them. Children with speech disorders have difficulty with pronouncing sounds and words...speech disorders are the most common type of disability or delay in children and it can affect how they learn and participate in the classroom as well as at home. Children with language disorders have difficulty understanding and using language which limits their ability to have their needs met every day. Speech Language Pathologists are skilled in helping children with all different types of speech, language and swallowing concerns.
Speech Language Concerns
Initial Therapy Session
During the initial visit, the Speech Language Pathologist will perform an evaluation to determine your child's current level of functioning. They will determine if there is a delay and the degree as well as the potential cause of the delay. A treatment plan will be created with you and your child to determine the best treatment options to help your child achieve their individual goals.
Typical Therapy Session
You can expect your child's session to look and feel a lot like play. Children are engaged in fun, age-appropriate games and activities which will keep them motivated and excited to work towards their goals. Activities may include:
Speech Language Concerns
- Articulation disorders...difficulty pronouncing sounds or saying words incorrectly to the point that others cannot understand what is being said
- Fluency disorders...stuttering, resonance or voice disorders with pitch, volume or quality of voice that distracts listeners
- Dysphagia/oral feeding disorders, including difficulties with eating and swallowing
- Receptive language concerns include difficulties understanding or processing language
- Expressive language concerns include difficulty putting words together, limited vocabulary, or unable to use language in an appropriate way
- Literacy concerns include delayed writing and reading skills
Initial Therapy Session
During the initial visit, the Speech Language Pathologist will perform an evaluation to determine your child's current level of functioning. They will determine if there is a delay and the degree as well as the potential cause of the delay. A treatment plan will be created with you and your child to determine the best treatment options to help your child achieve their individual goals.
Typical Therapy Session
You can expect your child's session to look and feel a lot like play. Children are engaged in fun, age-appropriate games and activities which will keep them motivated and excited to work towards their goals. Activities may include:
- Using pictures, books and games to model correct pronunciation through repetitive exercises
- Various age-appropriate play activities while the therapist demonstrates how to move the tongue to produce specific sounds
- Utilize various foods of different textures and temperatures in addition to tongue, lip and jaw exercises to improve awareness during eating and swallowing