SPEECH & LANGUAGE SERVICES

Speech / Articulation Therapy

An articulation disorder (a.k.a. speech sound disorder) occurs when mistakes or mispronunciations of sounds continue past a developmentally appropriate age (www.talkingchild.com). These errors are characterized by omissions, substitutions and distortions of individual speech sounds. When patterns of speech sound errors manifest this is referred to as a disorder of phonological processes. Our therapists are experienced in the differential diagnosis between disorders of articulation and phonological processes, therefore our treatment is informed as such. We utilize a hierarchal approach to teach the manner, place, and voice of individual speech sounds. Therapy is conducted with a bottom up approach training sounds in isolation before moving on to teaching sounds in syllables, every position of a word, sentences, then spontaneous conversation until generalized. As with all of our therapy approaches we value parental involvement and collaboration.

Language Therapy

A language disorder is an impairment in the comprehension and/or use of spoken or written language. A problem in the area of language can interfere with a child’s learning and development, which can affect their form (grammar, syntax), content (vocabulary), and/or use (social communication) of language. 

Childhood difficulties with oral language have been linked to later struggles with reading and writing; therefore, early detection, evaluation, and treatment is important. Our receptive and expressive language therapy services are delivered using an individualized cognitive-linguistic approach in the following areas:

• Auditory Processing and Listening Comprehension
• Delayed Language
• Higher-order Language Skills:
• Inferential thinking
• Language Syntax, Grammar, and Spelling Skills
• Paraphrasing and summarizing
• Reasoning
• Social communication and Perspective-taking
• Understanding and use of non-literal, ambiguous, and figurative language
• Vocabulary, Word Retrieval, and Verbal Organizational Skills (oral narrative skills)

Our therapists are certified in the Hanen Method® to support families and their children with language delays. Additionally, we are trained in the following evidenced based multi-sensory language and literacy teaching programs: Visualizing and Verbalizing®; LiPS®; Seeing Stars® Orton Gillingham®; Wilson Fundations®; as well as Preventing Academic Failure®.

Voice Therapy

A voice disorder occurs when there is dysfunction in a person’s pitch, volume, and/or vocal quality relative to an individual’s age and gender. Using a holistic approach, our therapists listen for disturbances in these vocal characteristics and spend the time to learn about each client’s lifestyle in order to create the most appropriate individualized course of treatment. We use evidence based practices including, Lee Silverman Voice Treatment® to help clients with disorders resulting from functional or organic conditions, such as vocal fold nodules, GERD, muscle tension dysphonia, and Parkinson’s Disease.

Stuttering Therapy

Stuttering is the disruption in the fluency of connected speech, which can manifest as repetitions of sounds, syllables, or words; prolonging a word or sounds within a word, difficulty starting a word, sentence or phrase; excessive tension or facial grimacing, long irregular pauses within words, and limited ability to communicate effectively. Stuttering can have a profound effect on one’s self confidence, social interactions, as well as creating anxiety about talking. Our goal in stuttering therapy is to empower our dysfluent clients to say what they want to say when they want to say it. Our therapists use a variety of evidenced based techniques to increase their client’s fluency as well as provide their families with training on reducing environmental stressors and supporting their loved one’s communication efforts.

Therapy For Apraxia (motor Speech Disorder)

Apraxia is a motor speech disorder that results in difficulty planning and executing volitional movements for fluent speech. Children with apraxia have difficulty repeating words, producing vowels and consonants with consistency, and often present with effortful speech and oral groping behaviors. Our therapists are PROMPT trained and customize multi-modal therapy approaches ranging from tactile cues to augmentative and alternative communication systems for each client’s individual needs.

Assistive Technology & Augmentative Communication

Children who have difficulty with oral or written communication benefit from the use of technology as low tech as PECS or as high tech as a mobile device to increase our client’s quality of life, school performance, and social interactions. Our therapist can recommend, program, and train clients and their families how to use aided or unaided communication systems.

Feeding Therapy

See our OT/Sensory Processing section for more information on Feeding Therapy

Speech / Language Evals

When children struggle with communication, it can be heart-wrenching for family members and frustrating for the child. The Sasco River Center offers a variety of speech and language evaluations to address the following communication concerns:

• Speech Motor Coordination Difficulties
• Voice Problems
• Oral Facial Myology Deficits
• Social Communication Difficulties
• Language and Literacy Struggles
• Developmental Delays

We recognize that when speech and/or language skills in children are delayed, other areas of their development may also be delayed. We offer comprehensive Multidisciplinary Evaluations that are conducted by an interdisciplinary team of specialists including a psychologist, speech language pathologist, and an occupational therapist. This evaluation will cover several interrelated and critical areas of a child’s development (cognitive ability, communication skills, educational ability, motor functioning, and sensory integration). Every evaluation provides a report that is straightforward, actionable, and delivered in a timely manner. Our goal is to give parents and schools a clear understanding of a child’s needs and a road map for success.

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