SERVICES

Speech-Language

What is Speech-Language Therapy?
The purpose of speech-language therapy is to improve one’s quality of life by optimizing his or her ability to communicate and/or swallow. Each client’s specific needs will determine the course and pace of his or her individualized therapeutic program.

Speech & Language Treatment Categories

We provide consultative, diagnostic and therapeutic speech & language services for all ages in the following categories:

  • Accent reduction
  • Aphasia
  • Apraxia
  • Articulation
  • Auditory Processing
  • Autism Spectrum
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech
  • Craniofacial Anomalies
  • Down Syndrome
  • Dysarthria
  • Dysphagia
  • Expressive/Receptive Language
  • Fluency
  • Phonology
  • Pragmatics
  • Speech/Language Delays
  • Voice

Our therapists have extensive background in developing and implementing measurable goals for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). We embrace a team approach and collaborate with a variety of specialists including:

  • Clinical Psychologists
  • School Professionals
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Physical Therapists
  • Medical Professionals
  • Dental Professionals

Educational Therapy

What is Educational Therapy?
Educational Therapy offers those with learning difficulties an individualized approach holistically designed to create a better understanding of how to recognize and apply strengths in order to overcome and compensate for weaknesses.

Common Signs of Educational Difficulties

  • Poor reading rate and accuracy
  • Inaccurate spelling
  • Letter reversals
  • Poor written expression
  • Decreased reading comprehension
  • Difficulty solving word problems
  • Limited attention span
  • Trouble with visual or auditory memory
  • Below grade level performance
Educational Therapy Benefits Those Who
  • Have been labeled with learning difficulties by a Speech-Language Pathologist or Educator
  • May succeed with customized learning strategies
  • Have a history of phonological or language learning difficulties
  • Have an Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Additional Benefits of Educational Therapy

  • Improved self-confidence
  • Enhanced motivation to learn
  • Increased class participation

Types of Available Therapy

  • Individual Therapy Programs
  • Group Therapy Programs
One on One Educational Therapy
  • Baseline testing
  • Identify processing deficiencies
  • Establish measurable goals
  • Individualized therapeutic program
  • Multimodal approach
  • Masters level instructors
Study Buddies Homework Club
  • Gain subject oriented therapy in a small group setting
  • Grade levels 1st – 12th
  • Flexible hourly after school sessions
  • Multiple subject focus
  • Establish measurable goals
  • Maximum student to teacher ratio 4:1
  • Masters level instructors
  • Package discounts available
  • Group only
  • Combination group and individual

Orofacial Myology

What Are Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?
Misuse of the facial muscles can lead to an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD). OMDs include incorrect tongue placement and lip movement for chewing and swallowing; inaccurate lip and tongue rest posture; articulation errors; habits such as thumb sucking; jaw joint dysfunction; and structural anomalies.

Common Signs of an OMD

  • Tongue rests low, forward or between the teeth
  • Open-mouth resting position and breathing
  • Excess tension in the chin (dimpled chin)
  • Dental shift following orthodontic treatment
  • Difficulty wearing dentures
  • Pain, popping or clicking in the jaw joint
  • Malocclusions
Effects of an OMD

OMDs commonly have a harmful effect on the alignment of the teeth and jaws and may cause orthodontic treatment to be more problematic. Articulation can be influenced and habit patterns, such as the ones mentioned above, may also negatively impact the functioning of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

OMD Treatment

OM Therapy should be conducted by a professional specially trained and/ or certified as an Orofacial Myologist. The objective of an OM Therapy program is to enhance muscle tonicity and assist in the formation and habituation of a balanced orofacial environment. Therapy will help in the retention of the dental and/or orthodontic treatment; enhance one’s appearance; and help maintain optimum dental, muscular and joint health.

Social Skills Therapy

What is a Social Skills Therapy?
The world is a socially complex place that requires strong verbal and nonverbal skills for successful social communication. Children with pragmatic deficits benefit from programs designed to teach socially acceptable learned behaviors and establish meaningful social relationships. Our social skills programs, which draw from the Building Social Relationships (Bellini, 2006) model, follow a multi-step paradigm which leads us through the process of developing and practicing effective social skills training for children and adolescents.

Common Signs of Social Skills Deficits

The following social skills deficits are addressed using thoughts, feelings and interest activities; social stories; role playing; video modeling; self monitoring; relaxation techniques; prompting strategies and interactions/conversation planning:

  • Nonverbal communication skills
  • Social initiations
  • Reciprocity and terminating interactions
  • Social cognition
  • Perspective taking and self awareness
  • Social anxiety and withdrawal
Individual and Group Program Method:
  • Assess social functioning
  • Select intervention strategies that:
  • Promote skill acquisition
  • Improve performance deficits
  • Implement intervention
  • Evaluate and monitor growth
Types of Available Therapy
  • Individual Therapy Program
  • Group Therapy Programs
We offer both individual and group instruction over four 12 week periods. At the end of each period your child’s level of social functioning is assessed and treatment objectives are modified.