What is Speech Therapy?
Speech Therapy is an intervention service that focuses on improving a child’s speech and ability to understand and express language, including non-verbal language. Speech therapy for children can address improving language development, pronouncing sounds, developing overall communication, and address pragmatic/social challenges.
Who can benefit from speech therapy?
At RL Therapy Group the goal of speech therapy is to work with your family to create a plan that helps support your toddler or child to become as independent as possible across all settings. Our speech therapists put your family goals at the forefront to help you identify challenges or barriers in your child’s development.
Our speech pathologists are skilled in addressing several areas including:
Speech sounds/ Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Do you notice that your child is difficult to understand at times? Is your child at least 3 years old and difficult to understand for those who aren’t around him/her often? If so, your child may benefit from speech therapy to identify what sounds/patterns the child is having difficulty saying and get a treatment plan to alleviate these challenges.
Language
Language is the ability to understand what we hear/read and how we use language to communicate with others.
Social Communication
Social communication is how well we follow rules, like taking turns, how to talk to different people, or how close to stand to someone when talking. This is also referred to as pragmatics.
Fluency
Also referred to as stuttering, is how well speech flows. Someone who stutters may repeat sounds, like t-t-t-table, use “um” or “uh,” or pause a lot when talking. Many young children will go through a time when they stutter, but most outgrow it.
Augmentative & Alternative Communication
AAC is either a low-tech (i.e. PECS) or high-tech (i.e. Proloquo2go on an iPad) system that supports or replaces natural speech. Our therapists are trained in helping families identify whether AAC is needed as well as ways to begin using AAC, and strategies to develop skills.