Speech Therapy
Speech and language are complex skills – and part of what makes humans special! Speech includes the physicality of creating words – articulation, voice, and fluency. Children need to move their lips, tongues, and mouths in specific ways to create different sounds. Language includes what words mean, how to put them together, how to make new words, what words are appropriate for different situations. It is not only the words we use but how we use them to share ideas and get what we want.
Children who struggle with speech or language greatly benefit from early intervention. But how do you know if their language is delayed? All kids develop differently, and most young children can be difficult to understand – so it can be confusing to know when or if intervention is needed. Concerns over speech are often some of the most common parents have, but don’t worry. You have options – and Joy and Laughter Developmental Therapy can help you! We have highly trained speech-language pathologists ready to work with your child.
Speech therapy helps children learn to use and understand language. So, when might speech therapy be right for your child? Some signs to look for:
• No or very little speech
• Fewer than 50 words by age 2
• Primary caregivers cannot understand about 75% of their speech by age 3
• Unclear or immature speech
• Child has trouble understanding adults
Diagnosed issues:
• Apraxia of speech
• Dysarthria
• Feeding issues
• Oral motor disorders
• Speech sound disorders
• Written language difficulties
Speech/language pathologists (SLPs) are highly trained speech therapists that help diagnose and treat communication disorders. By working with an SLP, speech therapy will help your child facilitate expressive and receptive language. Speech therapy will help children learn to use a method of communication that will be the most effective and best understood. Most times this is teaching a child to use their voice, but it can also include the use of augmentative devices. We work with your child on a variety of skills:
Receptive Language Skills: Understanding language, following directions, and processing auditory information.
• Receptive language involves being able to comprehend the message, the speed the message is processed, and how one concentrates.
• This can include understanding figurative language and literal language.
Expressive Language Skills: Using language to express ideas and thoughts.
• Includes vocabulary, grammar, and syntax.
• It can be the ability to express feelings with the use of arbitrary signals, such as verbal language, gestures, and written symbols.
Fluency: How the language is produced including stuttering, cluttering, and rate of speech.
Articulation: The process by which a person forms verbal language.
• This happens with the movements of the jaw, tongue, palate, lips, and teeth.
Augmentative Communication: Refers to the alternative methods of communication also known as “Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)”.
• Often children are taught to use a device that can act as their voice.
Our highly trained speech-language pathologists are ready to use many different techniques, programs, and devices to help your child gain the most language skills possible!
We utilize:
• Hanen Program
• Baby Sign Language
• Picture Exchange
• Communication System (PECS)
• Voice Output (VOCA)
• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
• The iPad, along with other devices often are used to help those with impairments in the production of spoken language.
At Joy and Laughter Developmental Therapy, we are ready to help you and your child through any speech or language roadblocks you might be facing.
Wondering if your child might qualify?
Don’t wait! The earlier we can start intervention, the less impact it may have on their future speech. Our developmental experts will walk you through a simple assessment of what may be going on, tips for what you can do right now at home to help, and what your next steps should be to start helping your child communicate better. Click below to sign up for your FREE consultation call to get started!