OUR SERVICES
Expressive and Receptive language delays
For children with language disorders, understanding what people say, interpreting the message, and then formulating a correct response can be challenging. Some may have limited vocabulary, difficulties understanding and using correct pronouns in conversation among other delays. A thorough evaluation will enable us to get to the root of each child’s challenges and provide individualized therapy to increase understanding and use of age-appropriate language across different environments. We provide treatment to increase success in Language comprehension skills, Combining words together, improving grammar, and developing a more extensive and descriptive vocabulary, following directions, and asking/answering questions.
Echolalia
Some children communicate by using echolalia, which means they copy what they’ve heard. For example, if you ask the child “Do you want a cookie?” the child says “cookie” or they repeat the whole phrase “do you want cookie” instead of “yes”. Those with delayed echolalia may repeat something they heard before even though they did not just hear it. For example, a child may repeat a line from a favorite movie even though that movie is not playing currently. With the help of a speech therapist, the child can learn to break down the “gestalts” (longer phrases they echo) into smaller units, then into words. Over time, the child will learn to produce novel messages.
AAC
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) aids those with severe speech and language difficulties find other ways of expressing themselves besides talking. In return, this improves their quality of life at school, home, playdates among other settings. A comprehensive AAC assessment will be completed to determine the right mode of AAC, low tech or high tech
Parent Coaching
At Speech in the valley, our main goal is to empower the most important people in our clients’ lives, their families. At the end of each therapy session, tips and feedback are discussed at length. Coaching sessions are designed to teach key strategies for shaping communication, modeling social skills, and identifying opportunities for practice within daily routines and play.
Free Preschool Screenings
In our continued commitment to provide early intervention for children experiencing communication delays, we offer free screenings at local preschools to identify those in need of services.