What is speech and language therapy?

Speech and language therapy is a type of treatment designed to help people who have difficulty with communication and swallowing. This therapy is provided by professionals known as Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), who work with individuals of all ages, from babies to older adults.

what is the difference between a speech pathologist and a speech therapist?

A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is a licensed professional with the following qualifications:

1. Master’s degree in Communication Disorders or Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited University

2. Passing score on a national exam in Speech-Language Pathology

3. Completed a 9 month Clinical Fellowship Year under a qualified supervisor to achieve his or her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)

A Speech Therapist is the same as a Speech-Language Pathologist! These titles are often used interchangeably.

How can I tell if my child’s speech or language is delayed/When to see a speech therapist?

• If you notice any of the following signs, it may be a good idea to consult a speech-language pathologist:

  • Lack of babbling or cooing by 6 months.

  • Not using any words by 15 months.

  • Limited vocabulary (fewer than 50 words) by 24 months.

  • Difficulty being understood by familiar adults by age 3.

  • Not using two-word phrases by 24 months.

  These milestones provide a general guideline for speech and language development in young children. If you have concerns about your child's speech and language progress, don't hesitate to reach out to me for a consultation.

What communication areas do you evaluate and treat?

• Speech Sounds

• Language Expression

• Comprehension

• Auditory Processing

• Toddler and Preschool Play Skills

• Pragmatic and Social Language Skills

• Voice

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

• Behavioral Modification

• Swallowing and Feeding Patterns

• Stuttering (Fluency)

• Vocabulary

• Grammar

• Word Retrieval

• Executive Functioning

• Phonological Awareness

• Memory

Is speech therapy only for children with difficulty talking?

No! Lots of people think that ‘speech therapy’ is only for people who stutter or can’t pronounce certain words. While that is a part of what we do, a licensed and trained SLP has a very large scope of practice. We work with all types of communication delays/disorders - from early childhood (kids who aren’t talking when they should be), through elementary school (vocabulary, grammar, telling a story), to executive functioning with high schoolers (working memory, scheduling, planning). We also work with children who are on the spectrum and need support with social skills and children who need help with picky eating or swallowing food and liquids. If you are curious about anything else an SLP works on, feel free to reach out and ask!

How long will my child be in speech therapy?

Each child is different and the length of time they spend in speech therapy is dependent on his or her individual needs, motivation, consistent attendance, and following through with “homework.” Progress is always faster when home programs are followed and practiced consistently.

How many sessions a week for speech therapy?

The answer to this question is case by case, but typically I will schedule 1 session a week for speech therapy. Some families may want to come 2x/week and depending on the situation and scheduling, this is a possibility. Please do not hesitate to ask about increasing sessions from once to twice a week.

What can I do to help my child at home?

Caregivers are essential for progress in speech therapy. Since your child is only in therapy a short amount of time per week, it is essential to generalize learned skills at home. At the end of each session, I will review what we did and what worked and give you a home program to follow and practice for that week to help generalize your child’s skills.