Types of Speech Therapy Services
Speech and Language Therapy services can cover a wide array of communication skills as well as feeding and swallowing. As we grow, PAL Speech Therapy will cover the areas below.
Important Notice:
At this time, our office is not accepting new referrals. We currently only work with families 0-3 through the Far Northern Regional Center.
We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to serve our current clients. Our website will be updated with any changes, and we encourage you to check back at a later date for further information. Thank you for your continued support.
Articulation (Speech)
Articulation therapy targets how words sound. Depending on the developmental level, this can look like playing speech sound related games, identifying target sounds, looking in a mirror while a therapist describes how to make sounds, and receiving direct feedback on target sounds.
Language
Language based therapy targets how we comprehend and express ourselves. Depending on the developmental level, this may include learning of single words and phrases or longer more complex sentences. Therapy at a young age typically encompasses how children learn language, through play based interventions that incorporate a variety of communication functions (e.g., commenting, requesting, asking questions). As children grow, this may include literacy skills, listening to and retelling stories, organizing thoughts, and using more complex sentences.
Fluency (Stuttering)
Fluency therapy is intended to help people who stutter communicate effectively in all situations. For those who stutter, this includes educating themselves and others about stuttering, decreasing negative attitudes about stuttering, and increasing fluent speech. Therapy may include fluency enhancing techniques as well as ways to modify stuttering to increase a child’s confidence communicating with others. It also may include learning how to self-advocate more effectively and be comfortable expressing oneself in any manner.
Feeding Therapy
Feeding therapy focuses on children learning to build positive lifelong relationships with food. Depending on the child, this can include learning mealtime routines, identifying hunger cues, expanding restrictive food preferences, exploring new foods, pacing, chewing and swallowing foods.
Alterative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
All people use some for of alternative forms of communication, whether it’s pointing, making a face, or walking away. Children and adults may require an augmentative form of communication as well, which is adding a device such as an iPad app, pictures, or sign language. There are many different apps readily available that help increase effective communication.
Early Intervention
PAL Speech therapy is a far northern regional center (FNRC) contractor for early start home/community based speech and language services for ages 0-3. If you are concerned with your child’s speech and language at this age, reach out to the FNRC. If your child qualifies, services from the FNRC are free. Click here for more information on early start services.