What does therapy look like?

Therapy is family centered to address need and concerns of the caregiver. I use motivational activities and games that target goals within an evidence based approach. Time is allotted at the end of each session to review the targeted goals and plan for the next session. Sessions are 30, 45, or 60 minutes long depending on what is appropriate for the child. Therapy can be delivered in your home, the student’s preschool, or in our office. Additionally, teletherapy is available throughout the state of Florida.

When Should I seek an evaluation?

Language development starts from birth and can be a very exciting time.  But, what if they aren’t making sounds or talking yet? Or what if they aren’t saying the words correctly? What if they don’t appear to understand what you’re saying? Additionally, the correlation between speech issues and school performance is significant and well-documented. That’s because so much of what is done in the classroom starts with the ability to communicate. So how do you know you should begin exploring speech and language therapy?

The first thing to understand is that every child develops at a different pace.  There are certain verbal development milestones that pediatricians outline by age, but it’s not cause for panic if your child doesn’t hit it on the mark. That said, “wait-and-see” is generally inadvisable. If there is a delay or disability, the longer you wait to take action, the more difficult it’s going to be for your child to catch up to their peers.

Few children make zero errors when they’re learning to talk. But if you suspect your child may have a speech delay or speech-language disorder, having a speech therapy evaluation is the first step toward determining if treatment would be beneficial.

What is the evaluation process for therapy?

A full evaluation is necessary to determine your child’s current skill level and what goals are most critical at their stage of development. To begin, you will complete intake forms, gather documentation, and review our policies. During the first evaluation appointment,we will review your concerns and discuss any question you may have. From there, I will administer an evidence based standardized test that is appropriate for your child’s age and skill level.  If we determine therapy is medically necessary, we’ll schedule your standing appointment for therapy. From there, I will develop a formalized plan-of-care (reviewed twice annually) with specific goals. Scheduling is often a concern for parents. As such, our services are flexible and can be provided in clinic, in your home, or at your child’s preschool. We’ll do our best to help integrate these services into your daily routine.

What disorders can a Speech Pathologist diagnose and treat?

Speech Pathologists can treat a wide range of conditions, delays, and disabilities including:

• Childhood Apraxia of Speech

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Articulation Disorders

• Cleft Palate

• Early Language Delays

• Expressive/Receptive Language Disorders

• Feeding/Swallowing Disorders

• Fluency Disorders

• Voice Disorders

• And More!

Is There Anything I Can Do to Improve My Child’s Speech?

Absolutely! You can…

• read, talk, and play with your child.

• listen to your child and respond to what he or she says.

• discuss what you and your child do during the day – either as your doing it or after.

• give your child time to talk. (Do not interrupt while they’re trying to speak.)

• do not call attention to their stuttering (disfluencies).

• vary the words you use with your child. (It expands their vocabulary.)

• use longer sentences as your child gets older.

• create opportunities for your child to play with other children.

• provide visual aids to augment communication.

• sing in the car.

Do I Need a Doctor’s Referral for Speech Therapy?

Because Practically Speaking Therapy Services is self pay, at this time you do not need a doctor’s referral.  However, since we are able to provide a Superbill for you to submit to insurance, your insurance carrier may require a doctor’s referral.  Please check with your insurance carrier to know what is required.