Speech Therapy in Miamiย
Support and care for children who have difficulties withย communication
What Does A Speech Therapist Do?
How Do I Know If My Child Needs Support?
How Does Always Keep Progressing Help My Child?
What Do I Do If I Think My Child Needs Support?
Speech Therapists and Pathologists
Introduction
Speech therapy refers to therapy to help children who are having difficulties in various areas of speech and/or development. Speech-language pathologists, otherwise known as speech therapists, are highly trained clinicians in the field of communication sciences and disorders. Speech therapists are licensed to be able to evaluate and treat children who have difficulties with speech and language development.
Although speech and language are terms that are often used interchangeably, they are actually two different things. A child can have difficulties with either speech or language or have difficulties in both areas. Speech therapy, specifically, addresses errors in sounds and the way children say their words. It can also address motor speech disorders, such as childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) or dysarthria.
If you are concerned with your childโs speech development, an SLP can help answer any of your questions!
What is a Speech Therapist?
What Does A Speech Therapistย Do?
Speech-language pathologists, often referred to as speech therapists, are highly trained experts in the field of communication sciences and disorders. Speech-language pathologists are qualified to evaluate and treat children and adults who have difficulties with speech, language, feeding, and swallowing.
Although speech and language are terms that are often used interchangeably, they are actually two different things. Speech is how we say sounds and words while language refers to the words we use and how we use them to share ideas and communicate desires. A child can have difficulties with either speech or language or have difficulties in both areas.
Speech-language pathologists provide intervention services to help children with these difficulties along with other issues such as feeding/swallowing or other communication disorders. In speech therapy specifically, speech therapists address articulation skills, motor planning, in order to improve a childโs overall intelligibility (ability to be understood by other people).
How Do I Know If My Child Needs Support?
Speech therapy is an intervention service which aims to improve the speech and communication abilities of children with speech disorders.
Speech-Language therapy techniques are used by SLPs to help develop and improve communication. An evaluation or assessment is done by an SLP before beginning therapy to create an appropriate, individualized plan of care for the client. For children, speech therapy can take place in your home, classroom, hospital, or private practice clinic. Your child can also receive speech therapy services safely from the comfort of your own home through teletherapy!
Speech therapy exercises and activities are catered to the childโs specific needs depending on the disorder, age, and specialized requirements.
In speech therapy for children an SLP might:
- Engage with child through talk, play, music, and games, using a variety of toys and books to stimulate speech development and correct speech sounds in an interesting way.
- Teach children how to produce correct sounds and syllables using a variety of techniques.
- Provide parents with tools and resources to encourage speech development and practice carryover of correct production of speech sounds in the home environment!
Use specific programs to improve motor planning (in the case of apraxia).
Early intervention is especially beneficial for children. With early intervention, speech therapy can improve communication and boost self-confidence!
How Does Always Keep Progressing Help My Child?
Many individuals can benefit from speech and language therapy. Alongside with treating disorders related to speech, language, feeding and swallowing, SLPs can also service individuals with:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Cochlear Implants
- Learning Disorders/Learning
- Disabilities
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder
- (PDD)
- Speech Muscle Weakness
- (Dysarthria)
- Sensory Integration Disorder
- Cleft lip/cleft palate
- Cerebral Palsy
- Down Syndrome
- A laryngectomy
- A traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Dyslexia
- Accent Reduction/modification needs
- Alternative and Augmentative
- Communication (AAC)
- Oral-Motor Disorders
What’s nextย
What Do I Do If I Think My Child Needs Support?
Firstly, we want to assure you that there is no need to worry. We are here to guide you through every step of the way and help you to find the support that your child needs! If you feel that your child is in need of our services, you will follow four major steps: book a free consultation, complete the intake form, schedule the initial evaluation, and schedule treatment sessions.
Each step of this process is very important, and can get complicated when using insurance. We specialize in working with insurance, and are here to walk you through the process and make things as easy and pain-free as possible!
Of course, if you are opting to use private pay, these steps will be simplified.
1. Consultation
2. Intake Form
3. Evaluation
Once we have verified your insurance and received necessary documents, such as a doctor’s referral order (some insurances require authorization for evaluations, and some donโt), you will be all set to start! Our scheduling coordinator and administrative staff will contact you right away to schedule your initial evaluation based on your availability. Following the evaluation, we will formulate a personalized plan of care and call/meet with you to define your childโs goals and type/duration/frequency of treatment.
3. Treatment
Once all documents are in place and your insurance approves services, our scheduling coordinator and administrative staff will call to schedule treatment sessions at times that suit you and begin your childโs journey towards success!
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Insurances
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