Speech and Language Therapy

For special needs in speech, language articulation challenges, difficulty eating and drinking, and social skills development.

When speech, language, or social challenges arise, our experienced Speech Language Pathologists create personalized care plans to help each individual communicate, connect, and thrive.

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Diagnosis

Speech and language challenges can make everyday communication, learning, and social connection harder than they should be. Knowing when to seek help, and what that help looks like, can feel overwhelming. Here are answers to the questions we hear most.

Some children catch up on their own, but waiting is not always the safest choice, and there is no downside to checking early. If your child is hard to understand, is frustrated trying to communicate, or is not meeting communication milestones for their age, an evaluation gives you a clear picture. If therapy is not needed, we will tell you that too.
Signs worth paying attention to include not babbling or using gestures by 12 months old, not using single words by 15-18 months old, not combining two words by age two, speech that is hard for others to understand, trouble following directions or answering questions, or a loss of words your child once used. You know your child best, so trust your instincts if something feels off.
Your speech-language pathologist reviews your child's history, talks with you about your concerns, and assesses how your child understands and uses language and produces speech through play and structured tasks. Evaluations are typically 30 minutes to an hour - depending on type of evaluation, and parents will typically be able to view the evaluation report within a week. From there we build individualized goals together.

Speech and Language Therapy Treatment

Evidence-based treatment from our team of speech-language pathologists can improve communication skills and quality of life for children with a variety of disorders including autism, language and voice disorders, and more. Treatment for social challenges include:

Making and keeping friends
Carrying on a conversation
Identifying and expressing feeling
Problem-solving or dealing with confrontation

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The Speech Therapy Journey

From Evaluation to Progress

Evaluation

A licensed speech-language pathologist sits down with you and your child to understand your concerns and assess how your child understands language, expresses language, and produces speech (e.g. pronunciation of sounds, voice, fluency). You are part of the conversation the whole way, and we explain what we find in plain language, not jargon.

Process

We build an individualized plan around your child's goals and interests, using play-based sessions that make communication feel natural and motivating. We also coach you on simple strategies for home, since everyday moments like meals, play, and car rides are where a lot of speech and language growth happens.

Progress

We track progress toward each goal and reassess regularly, adjusting the plan as your child grows. You will see the small wins along the way, and we celebrate the big milestones, including graduating from therapy for many children.

Ready to Help Your Child Thrive?

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Adult Services

Visit our website: www.sleaconnect.com for more information.

We pride ourselves on delivering personalized, client-centered care that truly stands out. Whether your loved one is recovering from a stroke, adapting after a brain injury, or managing conditions like Parkinson’s or Cerebral Palsy, our dedicated team tailors every intervention to meet their specific needs, fostering independence and enhancing quality of life. We believe in empowering our clients and their families through compassionate support and evidence based strategies that make a real difference.

Our Speech Team Provides Services Addressing the Following:

Aphasia
Dysarthria
Cognitive-Linguistic Communication Disorders (impacting memory, attention, and executive functioning)
Voice Disorders (dysphonia, vocal nodules, others)
Stuttering
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency
Speech disorders resulting from surgical or neurological changes

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Augmentative Alternative Communication

AAC, or Augmentative Alternative Communication, can come in many forms such as pictures, sign language, low tech options, or sophisticated speech generating devices. AAC can help individuals communicate and function independently that are otherwise unable to communicate verbally. It can be individualized to meet the specific needs of our clients and can change as communication improves. We have AAC specialists on site who can assess to determine if AAC is right for you and can also help navigate which type of AAC is best.

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Speech therapy can begin as early as infancy. Early intervention - ideally before age 3 -tends to produce the strongest outcomes. If your child isn't meeting milestones such as saying first words by 12 months or using two-word phrases by 24 months, request an evaluation right away. There is no minimum age requirement.
Common signs include: not babbling by 12 months, no single words by 16 months, limited vocabulary for their age, difficulty being understood by familiar adults, trouble following simple directions, stuttering, and frustration when trying to communicate. If you have any concern, an evaluation is always the right first step.
Progress depends on the child and the nature of their challenge. Some children see meaningful gains within a few months; others benefit from support over one to several years. Your therapist sets individualized goals and reassesses progress regularly, so you always know where your child stands.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work on articulation, language comprehension and expression, fluency (stuttering), voice, and social communication. Sessions are play-based for young children and may include games, books, conversation practice, and targeted exercises tailored to your child's specific goals.
Yes. Language skills form the foundation for literacy. SLPs work on phonological awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension - skills directly tied to reading. Children with dyslexia or language-based learning differences frequently benefit from speech-language therapy alongside academic support.
If you'd like to use your insurance for speech therapy, a physician's referral is needed. Call our office and we will walk you through the process based on your specific insurance plan. If you'd prefer to get started ASAP, we offer private pay contracts, which do not require a physician's referral.
Absolutely - and it is very common. Children may receive both services on different days, especially when sensory, motor, or attention challenges affect communication. Our therapists coordinate care so that goals across disciplines reinforce each other.
Many health insurance plans cover speech therapy when it is deemed medically necessary. Coverage varies by plan, so we encourage families to call their insurance provider to ask about speech therapy benefits, session limits, and referral requirements. Our team is happy to assist with the process.
A speech delay means a child is developing in the typical pattern but at a slower pace than expected. A speech disorder - such as childhood apraxia of speech or a phonological disorder - involves atypical patterns of speech production. Both benefit from professional evaluation and treatment, and both are very treatable.
Parent involvement is one of the strongest predictors of progress. Your therapist will provide home activities tailored to your child's current goals. In general: read together daily, engage in back-and-forth conversations, narrate everyday activities, and allow your child time to attempt words before stepping in.