Speech and Language Therapy

Our licensed speech-language pathologists are passionate about helping children learn how to appropriately and effectively express their thoughts and feelings, as well as empower peers and parents to better understand what children are saying and doing. Areas of expertise include articulation, motor speech disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, stuttering, and social communication.

Speech

Speech is the expression of ideas and thoughts through verbalizations. Articulation refers to how certain sounds are made and plays an important role in speech and communication. Fluency is another important part of speech. Fluency and stuttering encompass a child’s speaking rate and rhythm.

When might a speech evaluation be needed?

Do you notice your child leaving out sounds in words or mispronouncing words?
Does your child have difficulty being understood by peers and other adults?
Does your child become frustrated when they are not understood by others?
Does your child sometimes get stuck when speaking, repeat whole words/phrases, or stretch out words?
Does your child seem hesitant to speak around others or appear to be embarrassed by talking?

Language

Language has three main components that are involved in a child’s communication. Listening and comprehension of language fall under receptive language. These skills begin to develop before a child is able to speak and continue to grow throughout adolescence and into school age. Understanding of language is a foundational skill for being able to communicate and engage with others both academically and socially.
Another key piece of language is expressive language, or how children are using language, including vocabulary and grammar, to communicate. Expressive skills encompass how children express their wants and needs, as well as how they use language to interact with others.
Pragmatic language, or social language, involves how we use language socially to form relationships and interact in meaningful ways with others.

When might a language evaluation be needed?

• Does your child have difficulty answering questions?
• Is your child able to communicate their wants and needs with you effectively?
• Does your child appear frustrated when they cannot express their needs?
• Does your child have difficulty following directions or routines?
• Is your child difficult to understand in conversation?
• Does your child respond when you say their name or ask a question?
• Do they have difficulty listening to others and engaging in back and forth conversations or staying on topic?
• Does your child have difficulty with grammar and vocabulary?
• Is it difficult for your child to tell stories or explain things that happened?
• Does your child have difficulty with making new friends?