Speech Services

Family Consultation

Parent coaching is a model that empowers a family to help their child learn to communicate. According to the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), parent coaching includes the following methods:

• Joint Planning: Both the parent and speech-language pathologist (SLP) are involved in creating meaningful activities to engage the child.
• Observation: Both the parent and SLP will observe each other during the session; the SLP will demonstrate how to use language techniques while the parent observes. The SLP will then observe the parent implementing the modeled technique.
• Action/Practice: The parent will learn how to use specific techniques with multiple opportunities during the session to practice and refine the techniques.
• Reflection: The SLP and the parent will review and reflect upon how the use of individual strategies benefited a child and how they may be adjusted for maximum benefit.
• Feedback: The SLP provides feedback regarding how the parent-implemented the technique.

Autism

At Play & Talk Bilingual Therapy, we are determined to help autistic children improve their verbal, nonverbal and social skills so that they can communicate in more useful and functional ways.

Communication and speech-related challenges vary from person to person. Some children on the autism spectrum are not able to speak. Others use repetitive words, while others are very fluent, but have difficulty holding a conversation or understanding body language and facial expressions when talking with others.

The intervention begins with an evaluation by a speech-language pathologist to evaluate the child’s communication strengths and challenges. Based on the initial evaluation, we create individual goals for therapy. We continuously strive to help our little ones find their voice.

Bilingual Screenings, Consultations, and Home-Based Evaluation & Treatment

Our pediatric speech therapy specialties include: Speech Sound Disorders, Language Delay & Disorders, Alternative & Augmentative Communication, and Bilingual Speech Therapy.

We use the following strategies: PROMPT, modeling, play activities, behavioral techniques, routine-based parent coaching, tactile cues, strength building, and visual support. Evaluations can be done either in-home or via teletherapy. We contract our services through the Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center and we also see private clients.

Early Intervention

Children learn to talk at different times. How do you know if your child is a late talker or has a language problem? You know your child, and you remember what your older children did and said at the same age. It is normal to compare your child to other children. It is also normal to worry if you think your child is not keeping up. All children go through the same stages as their speech and language development.

However, it is hard to know exactly when your child will get to each stage. There is a range of what is normal, and it can vary. Your child’s speech and language development depend on:

• His/her natural ability to learn a language.
• Other skills that he/she is learning at the same time.
• How much talking he/she hears during the day.
• How people respond to what he/she says or does.

Is your child between 18 and 30 months old and not talking as well as you think he/she should? Some factors that may put your child at risk for language problems include:

• Understanding language. A child usually understands what he/she hears before using words. This is receptive language. Your child may be able to point to objects when you name them and follow simple directions. If your child seems to understand well for his/her age, he/she is more likely to catch up with his/her language. If you think your child does not understand what others say, he/she may have a language delay.
• Using gestures. Children may use gestures to communicate, especially before they can say many words. Gestures include pointing, waving “hi” or “bye,” and putting their arms up so you will pick them up. The more gestures your child uses, the more likely it is that he/she will catch up to other same-aged children. Your child may not learn language as well if he/she does not use many gestures.
• Learning new words. Your child may be slower to talk, but he/she should still try to use new words each month. Your child may start putting some words together or use words to ask questions. If your child does this, he/she is more likely to catch up and not have a delay. Your child may have a language problem if you do not hear new words often.

Having a problem with anything on this list does not mean that your child has a language delay. However, it puts him/her more at risk. You may want to have your child tested to make sure his/her speech and language is where it should be. If your child shows signs of a problem, our early intervention program can work with you to find ways to help your child communicate better. We can also help if you have any other concerns about your child’s development. Early Intervention is key for later language skills.

Clinical Fellowship Supervision

We offer clinical fellowship (CF) supervision. The SLP CF is a mentored professional experience that begins after the completion of academic course work and clinical practicum. The goal of the CF is to allow the Clinical Fellow to transition between being a student enrolled in a communication sciences and disorders (CSD) program and is an independent provider of speech-language pathology clinical services.

The purpose of the CF is to integrate and apply the knowledge from an academic education and clinical training, evaluate strengths and identify limitations, develop and refine clinical skills, and advance the Clinical Fellow from needing constant supervision to being an independent practitioner. Contact us for more information about becoming a CF with Play & Talk Bilingual Therapy.