What Is Pediatric Speech Language Therapy?
Pediatric Speech Therapy
Pediatric Speech Therapy services include helping children with developing and improving their language skills. Our therapists treat children with auditory processing deficits, communication, and oral motor skills. Our Speech Language Pathologists are Board Certified. Their skills are in helping children who are experiencing problems in functional independence and in school.
Who Needs Speech Therapy?
Pediatric Speech Therapy is beneficial in cases where your child babbles or has difficulty with putting sentences together. If your child experiences learning difficulties or experiences difficulties with sensory processing, then therapy is beneficial . Speech and Language Disorders are common in children with Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Central Auditory Processing Disorders. Speech and Language Disorders are also common in ADD, ADHD and in many other syndromes.
How Does Speech Therapy Work?
Our Pediatric Speech Therapists treat the causes of communication challenges. Children that have difficulty with verbal communication in both Expressive and Receptive areas receive treatment from our therapists. We also provide treatment for oral motor concerns, such as chewing and swallowing. In addition our therapists provide treatment for articulation, auditory processing and social skills.
What IS A Speech Disorder?
We define Speech Disorders by the difficulty in producing speech sounds correctly. Your child may also be omitting or distorting sounds, or has difficulties with producing a few sounds with no pattern.
What Are The Five Areas Of Language?
The first area is Phonology. It includes the sounds in language and the rules. It determines how we are using sounds. Next is Semantics which include the vocabulary of language. Third is Syntax which includes the sentence structure (verb, noun, etc.). Fourth is Morphology which includes the meaning of language. Fifth is Pragmatics which includes how we use language to communicate socially.
What Are The Skills Our Therapists Typically Address?
Our Therapists typically address these areas: Expressive Language Skills, Receptive Language Skills, Reading Comprehension Skills and Oral Motor Skills. Our Therapists also address Speech Articulation Skills and Auditory Skills.
Orton-Gillingham
Why do we use Orton-Gillingham with Dyslexia? Because Orton-Gillingham is a highly effective instructional approach. We use Orton-Gillingham with children who have difficulty with reading, spelling, and writing associated with Dyslexia. Our therapists have trained on the Orton-Gillingham (O-G) approach. Because Orton-Gillingham (O-G) develops the skills of reading and spelling. It is a powerful tool of exceptional breath, depth, and flexibility when provided by our trained therapists.
The Orton-Gillingham Approach has helped many people learn how to read and spell. Because the (O-G) approach is multi-sensory. Because the specific teaching of foundational skills for reading and spelling is through sight, sound, touch, and movement. Since this approach helps activate the brain and aids in retention.
O-G breaks down the sounds and skills of the English language into their smaller component skills. Next is explicit teaching of these smaller component skills for each child. Children who have difficulties with Reading, Spelling, and Writing difficulties have been the dominant focus of (O-G) approach.