Speech Therapy Services

	Speech Therapy Services
	What is Speech-Language Therapy? Speech-Language therapy is needed when individuals exhibit speech and language difficulties that decrease their abilities to effectively communicate their thoughts, wants, and needs. Could My Child Benefit From Speech-Language Therapy? Speech-Language therapy is beneficial for children who have: Difficulty communicating their wants/needs effectively Decreased vocabulary skills Difficulty following directions Hard to understand speech Difficulty answering questions Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds/words or stutters
	Children may be at risk for speech-language difficulties if they are: Born prematurely or are developmentally delayed Have autism, ADHD, or learning disabilities Have a medical condition such as Down's Syndrome, cleft lip/ palate, cerebral palsy, or a seizure disorder Have chronic ear infections. Why is Early Intervention Important? Even before children are verbal, they are learning the basic foundations for understanding and using language. Early intervention focuses on building vocabulary, comprehending directions, improving pragmatic skills, verbalizing wants/needs, and providing information and suggestions to parents/caregivers. Speech-Language therapists specialize in: Articulation - difficulty producing speech sounds Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC) - providing additional or alternative ways to communicate for children and adults who have difficulty speaking or writing. Expressive Language - the use of language to communicate (talking, signing, writing, utilizing AAC devices) Receptive Language - the ability to understand language (listening, reading, understanding signs). A Developmental Guide to Speech-Language for Children Ages 0-36 Months 0 - 6 months Uses a different cry to express needs Localizes to sound by turning head Smiles when spoken to Uses the phonemes /b/, /p/, and /m/ in babbling 7-12 months Understands and responds to name Recognizes words for common items (e.g., cup, shoe, juice) Imitates some adult speech sounds and intonation patterns Production of one or more words 13-18 months Follows simple commands Has an expressive vocabulary of 3 to 20 or more words (mostly nouns) Combine gestures and vocalizations Shows interest in books and pictures Waves "bye-bye" on request 19-24 months Knows 5 body parts Accurately names a few familiar objects Follows a 2 part command (e.g., "Get the ball and bring it to mom") Finds pictures in a book Starts to combine 2 words 25-30 months Identifies boy and girl dolls Understands one and all Gives name on request Answers simple "what" questions Asks names of objects 31-36 months Identifies own sex Uses 3 to 4 word phrases Uses pronouns I, you, and me Discriminates between big and little Produces several forms of questions Click on any link below to go to that page. Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech-Language Our Therapy Team Free Developmental Screenings
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