Child Therapy Service
Child Speech Therapy: Helping Your Child Overcome Communication Challenges
Peninsula Associates evaluates and treats children of all ages with a wide range of speech, communication, and learning needs. Parental involvement is key for any child’s program to be successful. Our clinicians communicate regularly with parents to ensure that their child is doing well in therapy and at home. Our goal is to help children become happier, more successful, and more interactive at home, at school, and with friends.
Understanding Child Speech Therapy
Child speech therapy is a specialized form of therapy aimed at helping children overcome communication challenges. It focuses on improving speech, language, and overall communication skills in children. Speech therapists, also known as speech-language pathologists, work closely with children to address various speech and language disorders. By providing tailored interventions and strategies, child speech therapy aims to enhance a child’s ability to effectively express themselves and understand others.
Speech Clarity/Articulation
We design programs to correct specific sounds as well as to improve overall speech intelligibility. Individualized articulation programs are developed to help with:
- Persistent speech errors (e.g., lisp, /r/ /s/ /l/ errors)
- Phonological disorders (sound simplification patterns)
- Apraxia/Dyspraxia
- Oral motor skills
- Dysarthria
- Tongue thrust
Speech Fluency
We utilize a variety of approaches in treating both the children and adults stutterer to promote fluent/controlled speech and improve self-confidence. For younger children, clinicians often provide indirect modeling of fluency-shaping strategies as well as parent counseling. Peninsula Associates offers support and practice groups that provide a comfortable environment to practice techniques during role-playing, script reading, or sharing everyday experiences. We encourage participation in motivation and local stuttering self-help support organizations.
References:
Isastutter.org
Stutteringsociety.com
Say.com
Westutter.org
Stuttertalk.com
Language
We provide language therapy to clients of all ages. Our goal is to increase an individual’s understanding and use of language. Individual and group programs are available to work on:
- Listening/following directions
- Vocabulary/concept development
- Cognitive skills (memory, sequencing)
- Communication for daily living
- Asking/answering questions
- Understanding stories/conversation
- Relating experiences/everyday conversations
In addition to verbal language, we use strategies to “jump start” language. Many clinicians are knowledgeable and trained in the use of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), schedule boards, communication books, and augmentative-alternative communication devices. Some clinicians use American Sign Language or Signing Exact English. Bilingual/bicultural staff members provide all bilingual assessment and treatment.
Study Skills
We offer programs that build and enhance academic skills to increase school success. Special summer programs are available to maintain and improve skills. Areas of specialty include
- Attention focus and information processing
- Reading and writing readiness
- Phonemic awareness
- Visualizing and verbalizing
- Organization and study skills
- Textbook skills
- Written language
Hearing Impairment
Peninsula Associates provides communication services for individuals with hearing impairment and deafness. Many of our clinicians have experience with:
- Hearing aids and cochlear implants
- Aural rehabilitation
- Speech reading
- Speech/voice training
- Sign language
- Total communication
- Deaf culture
Pragmatics
We offer 1:1 pragmatic therapy that focuses on promoting social awareness to improve:
- Speech clarity
- Turn-taking
- Listening skills
- Interactive play
- Perspective taking
New behaviors are taught through structured lessons, role-playing, and home assignments. Examples of lessons might include:
- Starting and ending conversations
- Staying on topic/switching topics
- Expressing feelings
- Asking for/accepting help
- Interpreting body language
- Starting and maintaining friendships
Voice
We provide therapy activities to establish and maintain good vocal hygiene for:
- Vocal nodules and other vocal lesions
- Inappropriate loudness/rhythm/rate/pitch
- Harsh/weak/breathy/nasal vocal quality
Examination by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist may be required before voice therapy can proceed.
We also provide gender-affirming voice assessments and treatment for both pediatric and adult populations. This includes working on the pitch, projection, resonance, breath support, inflection, and non-verbal aspects of communication.
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD)
We provide services that can help correct disorders of the muscles and functions of the face and mouth. These disorders can affect breastfeeding, facial growth, chewing, swallowing, speech, stability of orthodontic treatment, oral hygiene, facial esthetics, and more.
- Chronic mouth breathing
- Sleep-disordered breathing
- Tongue thrust swallow patterns
- Sucking habits (thumb, fingers, pacifiers, etc.)
- Dental problems related to OMDs
Infant And Pediatric Feeding And Swallowing
At Peninsula Associates, our highly trained feeding therapists develop individualized programs to help children with a variety of feeding difficulties.
Therapy programs may target:
- Eating safely
- Improving oral motor and sensory skills that influence eating
- Increasing the amount or type of food a child can eat
- Decreasing dependence on tube feeding and/or supplements
Need Any Help?
Common Speech And Language Disorders In Children
Child speech therapy addresses various speech and language disorders that children may experience. Some common disorders include:
- Delayed Speech Development: Delayed speech refers to a delay in a child’s ability to produce speech sounds and use age-appropriate language skills.
- Articulation and Phonological Disorders: Articulation disorders involve difficulties in producing certain speech sounds, while phonological disorders affect the systematic sound patterns in a child’s language.
- Language Disorders and Difficulties: Language disorders encompass difficulties in understanding and using spoken or written language. This can include challenges with vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can speech therapy help with stuttering?
Yes, speech therapy can be beneficial for children experiencing stuttering. A speech-language pathologist can work with your child to find easier ways to have forward moving speech and increase confidence in communication.
What age should a child go to speech therapy?
Speech therapy can benefit children of various ages. If parents notice any speech or language concerns, it is advisable to consult with a speech-language pathologist as early as possible. Early intervention is often key to positive outcomes.
What food is good for speech delay?
While specific foods do not directly treat speech delay, providing a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients supports overall growth and development, including speech and language skills.
At Peninsula Associates Speech Therapy Services, we offer child speech therapy services that are personalized, evidence-based, and designed to meet the unique needs of each child. We understand the importance of early intervention, and our experienced speech-language pathologists work closely with parents to support their child’s communication journey. Contact us today to learn more about our pediatric speech therapy services and how we can help your child overcome communication challenges.