Speech and Language Therapy

The American Speech-Language Hearing Association lists the following signs of a communication disorder in children:

Does not smile or interact with others (birth and older)
Does not babble (4-7 months)
Makes only a few sounds or gestures, like pointing (7-12 months)
Does not understand what others say (7 months-2 years)
Says only a few words (12-18 months)
Words are not easily understood (18 months-2 years)
Does not put words together to make sentences (1.5-3 years)
Has trouble playing and talking with other children (2-3 years)
Has trouble with early reading and writing skills* (2.5-3 years)
Says p, b, m, h, and w incorrectly in words (1-2 years)
Says k, g, f, t, d, and n incorrectly in words (2-3 years)
Produces speech that is unclear, even to familiar people (2-3 years)
Repeats first sounds of words—“b-b-b-ball” for “ball”
Speech breaks while trying to say a word—“—–boy” for “boy”
Stretches sounds out—“ffffff-farm” for “farm”
Shows frustration when trying to get words out

*Early reading and writing skills include:
8 months–1 year: Likes to hear you talk and read; looks at pictures in books when you read
1–2 years: Makes sounds or words when looking at pictures in books; points or touches pictures in books when you name them; turns pages in books
2–3 years: Knows that books have a front and back; enjoys books that have rhymes; points to and names many pictures in books.

If you have concerns about your child in any of these areas, I can help!

My Qualifications and Experience

I have been a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist for 19 years. I hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). According to ASHA, this is "a nationally-recognized professional credential that represents a level of excellence in the field of Audiology (CCC-A) or Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Those who have achieved the CCC—ASHA certification—have voluntarily met rigorous academic and professional standards, typically going beyond the minimum requirements for state licensure. They have the knowledge, skills, and expertise to provide high-quality clinical services, and they actively engage in ongoing professional development to keep their certification current." See the ASHA website for more information. I am also licensed in the states of Colorado and Arizona.

I will provide speech services in your home, but I have honed my clinical skills in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, private practice, and in homes. I have enjoyed working with children with a variety of challenges in the areas of articulation/phonology (speech sound) disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, listening comprehension, stuttering, and spoken language. I am especially passionate about supporting communication skills in Spanish-speaking and multilingual families.