Speech and Language Therapy
Speech Therapy Services
At LEAP, we specialize in working with the pediatric population and offer individual and group therapy through in-person and tele-therapy services. Our therapists are highly experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric speech and language disorders. Our services extend to the home, daycare, and preschools to provide our families with flexibility and convenience. LEAP also believes that through collaboration with families and schools, a more comprehensive plan of care can be created. Our therapists use evidence-based strategies and proven methods to provide the most effective treatment, while also personalizing the therapy plan to meet the unique needs for each child.
Language
Language can be broken down into two main areas: receptive language and expressive language. Receptive language is what a child understands. This includes how well they follow directions, answer questions, find pictures/objects and point to body parts. Expressive language is what a child says. This can include words and phrases, signs, and gestures. Many parents come to us with concerns about expressive language, only to find out that their child also has a receptive language delay. Receptive language skill development almost always precedes expressive language skill development.
Articulation
Articulation refers to how a child says the sounds of a language. Many parents have concerns about how their child says certain sounds, and are surprised that some sounds develop much later than they thought. It is typical for children to be “difficult to understand” in their toddler years. At two years old, a parent should understand about 50% of what a child says. At three year old, they should understand 75%. This doesn’t mean a child is saying all of the sounds correctly, but just that a parent can understand them. As children develop individually, there is variability in when sounds can be acquired.
Play
Play is often overlooked, but is of vital importance to a child’s language, cognitive, and social development. Play is where children learn skills such as object permanence, matching, turn taking, problem solving, and perseverance. Children develop their play skills from watching and imitating other people, such as siblings or parents, and engaging in play with various toys or objects. They grow from playing with blocks and cars to more pretend play and cooperative play with others. Playing with others teaches children how to initiate social interactions, share, and work together. Many of the cognitive and social skills learned through play are prerequisites for typical language development.
Cognition
Cognition refers to a child’s thinking skills, problem solving skills, and memory. Children develop their cognitive skills by exploring their environment and interacting with others. A child grows from learning cause and effect to solving problems with tools. With continued practice and development, a child learns to observe their environment, ask informative questions, and make predictions. Similar to play skills, many cognitive skills are prerequisites for language skills.
Literacy
Literacy refers to a person’s ability to read and write. Most children begin to read in Kindergarten and slowly progress from reading simple books to more challenging chapter books and textbooks. However, literacy instruction can begin early in life through use of simple activities, that will support a child’s future reading success. There are many skills that a child should master before beginning to read. As Speech Therapists, we see children that do not have these skills, and they often struggle to read fluently. Alternatively, we work with children who can read books fluently, but have difficulty comprehending what they read.
Book an Appointment with us today!
Follow the link below to schedule an initial evaluation with us on our patient portal.
“Children are the world’s most valuable resource and it’s best hope for the future.”
— John F. Kennedy