Speech & Language Therapy

Pediatric Speech therapy involves the evaluation and treatment of speech, language and communication disorders including articulation, voice, stuttering and receptive/expressive language disorders.   Treatment approaches may address improving the child’s ability to understand and use language and produce speech clearly and fluently so that the child can communicate and have needs met in their home environment. 

First Steps Pediatric Therapy Specialist - occupational therapy

The ability to communicate is essential to learning, playing, expressing who we are, interacting with the world around us and all of the people in it, and most importantly, it’s essential to getting what we want and need in our lives. Without effective communication, life can become very frustrating, confusing and even seem hopeless to a child. Being able to communicate effectively with the people around you, whether you’re using words, pictures, sign language or augmentative communication, makes this world a much friendlier place to be in. Our hope is that all children are given the ample opportunity to perfect some form of effective communication so that their lives can be happier and more fulfilling.

When concerns arise regarding a child’s ability to communicate, it is imperative that a thorough evaluation by a speech and language pathologist is performed as soon as possible. The earlier your child receives speech therapy, the earlier your child’s behavior will improve, the earlier your child’s self-esteem will improve, the earlier your child’s outlook on the world around him will be more positive, and the earlier he will be able to bridge the gap between his speech abilities and those of his peers.

Our Speech and Language Pathologists address a variety of communication disorders including:

  • Receptive Language Skills (understanding and following directions)

  • Expressive Language Skills (putting words together, naming objects, talking about events)

  • Pragmatics ( eye-contact, social rules of conversation)

  • Voice (quality, volume and pitch)

  • Fluency (speed of speech and stuttering)

  • Oral Motor Skills (how parts of the mouth move for speaking and eating)

  • Feeding Skills

The following are some of the conditions that we treat:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Cognitive / Memory Deficits

  • Developmental Delays

  • Downs Syndrome

  • Dysfluency

  • Learning Deficits

  • Voice Disorders