Speech Language Pathology
In Chitter Chatter, our Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) specialize in helping children expand their communication including articulation, fluency/stuttering, voice, language and feeding. Our speech-language pathologists help facilitate growth with individualized goals along with the collaboration of the client and their family. Our overall goal is to help children express their daily wants and needs using tools and strategies to be successful.
Chitter Chatter provides evaluations, assessments, diagnoses, and treatment services for speech and language skills. Our therapy services may be used to target a child’s area of need such as articulation/phonology, fluency/stuttering, voice, expressive language, receptive language, social communication challenges, feeding, and other communication difficulty that are unique to a child’s special needs.
Our clinic also provides services to children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, We help improve their verbal, nonverbal, and social communication skills. Our early intervention program helps expand speech and language abilities in the earlier stages (18 months-3 years of age).
Our clinic provides evidence-based practice programs, procedures, and treatment protocols to address the child’s communication. The speech-language pathologists frequently references the American Speech-Language Hearing Association as well as the Michigan Speech Language Hearing Association.
Signs & Symptoms
Speech
Some sounds (phonemes) are acquired at different age stages. Roughly the phoneme acquisition are as follows per the development chart.
https://stewartslp.com/blog/2019/11/17/english-speech-sound-development
Receptive & Expressive Language
Expressive and receptive language includes words that are expressed and understood the individual. Difficulties with understanding and expressing language may be the first sign to talk to your child’s pediatrician for a request to see a speech-language pathologist.
Difficulties within language may include: delayed play skills, decreased use of facial expressions, word retrieval challenges decreased
production of sounds/babbles, not understanding simple directions /commands, saying a few words or imitations, misnaming items, difficulties answering “wh” (who, what, where, why) questions or yes/no questions, or repeating words/phrases immediately or later in the day.
Pragmatic Language
Pragmatic language is the social aspect of communication and non-communication tasks.
Difficulties within social language may include: inconsistent eye contact, not responding to his/her name, not using gestures(hello/goodbye,) interacting alone rather than with peers, making automatic comments, making jokes/idioms/abstract concepts that are more literal
Voice
Voice includes how our voice sounds or is perceived. Difficulties in this area may include a hoarse, breathy, or scratchy voice. The voice may also sound nasally as the sound is coming from the individual’s nose. The sounds /m/, /n/, and /ing/ are the only speech sounds that should come from the nose.
Fluency
Fluency is also known as “stuttering”. It is how well the speech process flows. Some disfluencies are typical, however disruption in the flow of speech can impact communication.
If you you feel like your child’s fluency is impacting their communication or if your child has negative feelings towards speaking/communicating due to their disfluencies, an evaluation with a speech-language pathologist is recommended.
Feeding & Swallowing:
Coughing or being a picky eater is not always a sign of a fussy meal time. The position of feeding, being able to self feed, as well as handling fluids and solids differ for each age. Possible signs of a feeding/swallowing challenges may include: refusing to eat, eating only a little bit for a certain period of time, constant or excessive drooling and/or coughing, sensitivity to textures (how the food feels) and/or temperatures (how hot or cold the food is).
Procedural Skills
The procedures used in speech therapy are guided by the child’s needs based on diagnosis, age, and personal factors for success. The treatment may be modified as the clinician sees fit. More treatment procedures and resources are referenced as needed through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and other sources. Evidence based practice leads the way to know what is best for the child and how to increase and decrease the difficulty for growth and development.
Language
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Enhanced milieu approach: this is a naturalistic approach that uses your
child’s communication attempts to provide the caregiver and/or SLP an
opportunity to model words and language in daily routines and play -
Child led/directed play: having the child lead play routines creates a
naturalistic environment to support language development -
Dialogic Reading: this approach involves an adult and the child having a
discussion or dialogue around what is being read. This therapy approach
involves asking questions and building upon answers. Dialogic reading
supports developing new vocabulary, introducing story structure, improving
verbal fluency, and developing story telling skills -
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): AAC includes
using gestures, signs, low tech communication boards (pictures/symbol
systems), or high-tech devices to communicate. AAC is utilized to supplement
verbal speech as well. AAC does not replace verbal speech.
Articulation
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Cycles Approach, Minimal Pairs, Maximal Oppositions, Melodic
Intonation Approach, Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment (ReST): these
are research-based approaches that are utilized to help improve your child’s
speech intelligibility/articulation. These approaches also help increase
intelligibility between sounds and syllables. The speech-language pathologist
will determine which approach is most appropriate to utilize based upon your
child’s needs
Fluency
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Desensitization Therapy: addresses the emotional components of stuttering.
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Fluency Shaping & Modification Therapy: addresses the mechanics,
tension, movement, and flow of speech
Resources
& Tips
Collaborative efforts to propose synopsis information was brought by the American Speech Hearing Association (ASHA) as well as the Chitter Chatter P.C. team. Please reference the links below for more information in regards to speech and language for your child. However, please reach out to Chitter Chatter P.C. for any other comments or concerns.