Articulation:

Speech sound disorders is an umbrella term referring to any difficulty or combination of difficulties with perception, motor production, or phonological representation of speech sounds and speech segments—including phonotactic rules governing permissible speech sound sequences in a language (ASHA, 2022).

Difficulties like these can impact one’s ability to communicate effectively. For years our therapists have analyzed and treated speech sound and articulation disorders to support our patients in making lasting positive improvements in the clarity of their speech. 

Articulation is the ability to produce phonemes or speech sounds. Articulation skills are acquired developmentally, and certain phonemes or speech sounds are acquired at different ages. Some articulation errors may be developmentally appropriate due to a child not yet reaching the age of the development of a certain speech sound.

An articulation delay or disorder might be present if a child is not accurately producing speech sounds that he or she should be able to produce developmentally. An articulation disorder might also be present if there are a combination of speech sound errors that make a child’s overall speech and communication hard to understand.

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Signs and symptoms of functional speech sound disorders include the following (ASHA,2022):

• omissions/deletions—certain sounds are omitted or deleted (e.g., “cu” for “cup” and “poon” for “spoon”)

• substitutions—one or more sounds are substituted, which may result in loss of phonemic contrast (e.g., “thing” for “sing” and “wabbit” for “rabbit”)

• additions—one or more extra sounds are added or inserted into a word (e.g., “buhlack” for “black”)

• distortions—sounds are altered or changed (e.g., a lateral “s”)

• syllable-level errors—weak syllables are deleted (e.g., “tephone” for “telephone”)

• Errors producing single speech sounds

• Phonological errors producing speech sounds where a pattern of errors is present

• Errors with the perception and motor production of speech sounds either due to oral-motor weakness (oral-motor disorder) or due to motor-based difficulties (apraxia)

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​ASHA's Learn More

 

Language Disorders:

Do you or your child have difficulties communicating? Is your child a late talker or nonverbal? Are they struggling academically or experiencing frustration due to their communication skills?

If your child has problems following directions or understanding questions, learning new words or saying sentences, your child may have a language disorder. Language includes speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. A language disorder can often be the source of  academic struggles. An important first step to identifying and remediating language disorders includes a thorough assessment by your Speech-Language Pathologist, including a comprehensive standardized assessment. 

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When a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language,) or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings completely (expressive language), then he or she has a language disorder. A stroke can result in aphasia, resulting in a language disorder. Both children and adults can have speech and language disorders. They can occur as a result of a medical problem, or have no known cause. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) defines language as “the comprehension and/or use of a spoke (i.e., listening and speaking), written (i.e., reading and writing), and/or other communication symbol system (e.g., American Sign Language).”

There are three primary classifications of language: receptive ( listening and reading), expressive (speaking and writing), and pragmatic (appropriate use and application of language for communicative and social situations).​​

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ASHA's Learn More

 

Fluency (Stuttering):

Do you or a loved one have difficulty speaking fluently? Do they stutter, repeat sounds, or get stuck on sounds or words? Are they becoming aware of their speech impediment and becoming withdrawn? Is it affecting their personal or professional relationships, or impeding their academic success and ability to make new friends?

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Stuttering is a disruption in the forward flow of speech that is typically accompanied by physical tension, secondary behaviors, avoidance of communication, and/or negative reactions on the part of the speaker. We believe fluency therapy should be as individualistic and unique as the patient receiving therapy. Our therapists are proud to promote enhanced fluency through individualized patient-centered approaches, in a welcoming and positive atmosphere.

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ASHA's Learn More

 

Autism:

Has your son or daughter been diagnosed with autism?

Are they non-verbal or struggling with speech development?

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Autism is a neurobehavioral disorder with four distinct autism diagnoses, all enveloping a spectrum of symptoms and impairments that range in severity. Autism is characterized by difficulty in communicating and interacting with others, and obsessive or repetitive behavior. Autism can make it difficult for individuals to interact socially, both with verbal and nonverbal communication. This can make it difficult for your child to make or maintain friendships, or to get along with family members. When they mature, it can be harder for them to have intimate relationships. They may also develop repetitive, obsessive or ritualistic behaviors that interfere with their daily life.

Speech therapy can improve overall communication and make it possible for people with autism to improve their ability to form relationships and function in day-to-day life. 

 

Specific goals of speech therapy include helping the individual with autism:

• Communicate both verbally and nonverbally

• Initiate communication without prompting from others

• Know the appropriate time and place to communicate something; for example, when to say “I need help”

• Develop conversational skills

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Please note, our office does NOT diagnose autism. If you have concerns regarding your child, please contact their pediatrician directly regarding developmental or psychological evaluations.

 

AHSA's Learn More

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Feeding/Swallowing:

Is your child a picky eater or an anxious eater? Has your child started rejecting foods they used to eat? Do they refuse to try new foods? Are you concerned that they are not getting the proper nutrition they need?

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For years, patients have depended on us to differentiate picky eaters from problem eaters. We offer feeding therapy, parent counseling, and other specialized options to anyone in need of a Speech Pathologist and feeding specialist they can trust. We are dedicated to building long-lasting relationships based on trust and medical integrity with every single patient.

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A swallowing disorder, called dysphagia, is a difficulty or inability to eat or swallow. There are different phases of the swallow. The problem can affect any phase of the swallow. What happens in the mouth is the oral phase. What happens in the throat is the pharyngeal phase. What happens in the esophagus, is called the esophageal phase. A person can have difficulty in any, or all of the phases of the swallow. If the person can’t eat or drink enough, this will affect their nutrition.

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ASHA's Learn More

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Rehabilitative Therapy:

We can help you navigate through the wide array of conditions that can impact your ability to speak or swallow safely and effectively.

Whether it be the result of traumatic brain injury, stroke, brain tumor, dementia, epilepsy, surgical treatments, medications, radiation treatments, or neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, our therapists will develop personalized exercises and techniques to improve your quality of life.

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Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders:

Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders are characterized by the abnormal positioning of the tongue during speech or swallowing, or when the tongue is at rest. This is also called a “tongue thrust” swallow and it may contribute to malocclusion, misarticulation of speech sounds, or both. You may also see this when there are prolonged oral habits, like thumb or finger sucking. The therapy includes facial and tongue exercises and behavior modification techniques to promote proper tongue position, improved breathing, chewing, and swallowing, and articulation. We also provide newborn orofacial assessments to check for tethered oral tissues: like lip ties, tongue tie, and buccal ties that may be affecting latch for breastfeeding success.

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ASHA's Learn More

 

Accent Reduction:

Assessment of a person’s accent is conducted through speech sample recordings and analysis. The speech-language pathologist (SLP) works with the client to develop an individualized program that is research-based and proven to be effective. Training sessions may concentrate on auditory discrimination, word and sentence practice, as well as generalization to everyday conversation. The SLP will work with the client in personalized sessions, depending on the number of speech sounds that need training and client progress.

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ASHA's Learn More

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​Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy services are provided by skilled professionals who specialize in the intervention of infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents with disorders that effect development of motor, sensory and behavioral skills. Occupational Therapists encourage and work towards the independence of activities of:

• Daily living

• Hyperactivity

• Body Awareness

• Safety Awareness

• Handwriting

• Vision

• Feeding skills

• Body awareness

• Environment safety

• Sensory integration

• Self-regulation skills

• Upper body strength and coordination

• Fine motor skills

• Handwriting skills

• Motor planning and praxis

• Bilateral coordination skills and balance

• Visual motor skills

• Visual perceptual skills

• Facilitation of developmental milestones

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​AOTA's Learn More​​​​​​​​​​​

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​Specialized Services

• Beckman Approach to Oral-Motor Therapy

• The PESL Accent Modification Method

• Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders

• Myofascial Release for Dysphagia

• Tethered Oral Tissues/Tongue tie and lip tie assessments     

 

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Are you wondering if our services are right for you or a loved one?

Do you have any questions regarding the services we offer?

Are you interested in becoming a patient?

Does your child or loved one have difficulty communicating?

Do they express frustration when struggling to communicate?

Does your child have difficulties trying new foods?

Were you or a loved one diagnosed with a medical condition impacting speech or swallowing abilities?

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Don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Please fill out the information below or call our office today!​