Speech Therapy

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Assisting with Language and Communication

  • Expressive Language: Helping individuals express their thoughts, needs, and emotions—through speech, signs, gestures, pictures, or communication devices.

  • Receptive Language: Improving understanding of spoken or signed language, following directions, and processing information.

  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): Introducing tools like picture boards or speech-generating devices for non-verbal or minimally verbal individuals.

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  • Addressing Oral-Motor Challenges: helping individuals strengthen the muscles used for chewing and swallowing, improving coordination of lips, tongue, jaw, and throat muscles

  • Preventing Aspiration and Choking/Teaching safer swallowing techniques: recommending appropriate food textures and drink consistencies (e.g., pureed foods, thickened liquids) and creating individualized mealtime plans to reduce risk.

  • Enhancing Sensory Tolerance and Mealtime Behavior: working on sensory sensitivities (e.g., gagging, texture aversions), gradually introducing new textures and tastes in a non-threatening way, and collaborating with occupational therapists and dietitians for sensory and nutritional needs.

  • Training and Support for Caregivers/Educating families, caregivers, and support staff on safe feeding practices.: demonstrating techniques for positioning, pacing, and cueing during meals and creating visual guides or meal prep instructions tailored to the individual.

  • Promoting Independence and Positive Mealtime Experiences: encouraging self-feeding skills when possible, supporting enjoyable, stress-free mealtimes that build confidence.

Assisting with Cognitive Skills

  • Building Attention and Focus: helping individuals stay on task during conversations, activities, or classroom work and teaching strategies to manage distractions and improve sustained attention

  • Strengthening Memory: supporting short-term and working memory (e.g., remembering directions or steps). and using visual aids, repetition, and routines to boost recall and independence

  • Enhancing Problem-Solving and Reasoning: teaching how to approach everyday challenges (e.g., what to do if a routine changes) and practicing cause-and-effect thinking and safe decision-making

Assisting with Feeding and Swallowing Skills

  • Comprehensive Assessments: Speech Language Pathologists’ (SLP) assess oral-motor function, coordination, chewing ability, and swallowing safety.

  • Observation During Meals: They analyze how the person manages different food textures and liquids.

  • Instrumental Assessments (in collaboration with medical providers): Such as a Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) to see the swallow in real time.

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