Pediatric Physical Therapy
Learn More
Pediatric Speech Therapy
What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do?
Speech-Language Pathologists, also known as speech therapists, help children become better communicators! Whether your child is just learning to talk or needs help saying certain sounds, an SLP is here to support their growth in speaking, understanding, and even feeding. They work closely with families to support their child to express their wants and needs, follow directions as well as connect with family, friends and others in the community.
How Can a Speech Therapist Help?
SLPs work with children in many different areas, including:
- Speech Sounds: Helping children say sounds clearly so others can understand them.
- Language Skills: Building vocabulary, making sentences, and understanding questions or directions.
- Social Communication: Teaching children how to start conversations, take turns, and use appropriate body language or tone of voice.
- Stuttering: Supporting kids who repeat sounds, words, or get “stuck” when talking.
- Voice: Helping with voice quality if a child sounds hoarse or speaks too loudly or softly.
- Feeding and Swallowing: Assisting children who have trouble chewing, swallowing, or trying new foods.
Common Diagnoses Speech Language Pathologists Work With
Speech therapists help children with or without a diagnosis. Some common conditions we treat include:
- Speech Sound Disorders (difficulty making certain sounds like “r,” “s,” or “th”)
- Language Delays
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Childhood Apraxia of Speech
- Stuttering/Fluency Disorders
- Down Syndrome
- Hearing Loss
- Cleft Palate or Craniofacial Conditions
- Developmental Delays
Types of Treatment
We believe that therapy should feel like play while delivering meaningful progress. Each child’s plan is different and is tailored to fit your child’s unique needs, but treatment might include:
- Language Development Through Play-Based Therapy: Learning through fun games and activities to work on receptive and expressive language. Expanding your child’s vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure and increasing their ability to understand directions vocabulary and questions!
- Speech Sound Production Activities: Articulation of specific sounds and sound patterns. Phonological awareness and sound discrimination through engaging activities! Motor planning for speech sounds and words.
- Language Enrichment and Early Literacy Support: Building words, grammar, and understanding through books, play, and conversation.
- Fluency (stuttering): Strategies and tools to work on smooth speech along with reducing tension, increasing communication all within a supportive environment.
- Feeding and Oral Motor skills: Using fun interactive ways to support children in strengthening the muscles needed for chewing and swallowing! Creating a safe and engaging environment to help children who have feeding aversions or difficulties.
- Therapy is fun and play based, individualized and family-centered
