Who are
Speech-Language Pathologists, and what do they do?
Speech-language pathologists, also called SLPs, are experts in communication. SLPs work with people of all ages, from babies to adults. SLPs treat many types of communication and swallowing problems. These include problems with:
Speech sound
How we say sounds and put sounds together into words. Other words for these problems are articulation or phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, or dysarthria.
Language
How well we understand what we hear or read and how we use words to tell others what we are thinking. In adults, this problem may be called aphasia.
Literacy
How well we read and write. People with speech and language disorders may also have trouble reading, spelling, and writing.
Social communication
How well we follow rules, like taking turns, how to talk to different people, or how close to stand to someone when talking. This is also called pragmatics.
Voice
How our voices sound. We may sound hoarse, lose our voices easily, talk too loudly or through our noses, or be unable to make sounds.
Fluency
Also called stuttering, is how well speech flows. Someone who stutters may repeat sounds, like t-t-t-table, use "um" or "uh," or pause a lot when talking. Many young children will go through a time when they stutter, but most outgrow it.
Cognitive-communication
How well our minds work. Problems may involve memory, attention, problem-solving, organization, and other thinking skills.
Services
Language Screenings and Standardized Speech and Language Evaluations
What is a good reason to schedule a screening? 1. If you or your child’s teacher has concerns, but you are not ready for a full evaluation or you are not sure that one is necessary. 2. You just want to “check in” with a professional to talk about elements of your child’s communication development. 3. Your child is at risk for developmental delays and you want him/her to have regular follow-up visits to ensure he/she is staying on track. - What is the difference between a screening and an evaluation? An evaluation is in-depth and can result in a diagnosis and a plan of treatment. It requires a significant intake process and analysis. A screening is brief and allows the professional to get some basic information to determine if a more in-depth analysis is needed. - To request a screening or evaluation - Contact us (contact us will link to the contact form)
In-home speech therapy/telepractice services
In-home speech therapy or telepractice, refers to the provision of speech therapy services within the client's home environment. This approach allows individuals to receive therapy in the comfort and the convenience of their own homes, eliminating the need for travel to a clinic or school. - Parent/Caregiver Involvement Caregivers are invited to attend and participate in each therapy session. TalkTime Speech Therapists will utilize a parent coaching approach. By the end of each session, caregivers will be able to demonstrate an understanding of carry-over activities to use in their child’s natural environment during daily activities to elicit language. - Parent activities and involvement must be noted on daily session notes. - Therapist is not a babysitter; parents must be present in the home, if not in the same room. - Parent(s) should express their goals and concerns. - Every week discuss any progress or lack thereof that you have observed.
School-based Speech Therapy & Supervision
TTST Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) work directly with schools to conduct Language, Speech, and Hearing Assessments and provide Educational Services, provide specific learning disability area services related to speech and language, and special education services to individuals with language and speech impairments across the special education disability areas, attend IEP meetings, and supervise Clinical Fellows (CFs) and Speech-language Pathology Assistants (SLPa’s). TTST SLPa’s provide direct treatment assistance to students under the supervision of an SLP. - To request a School-based Speech Therapist or Speech-Therapist Assistant- contact us (contact us will link to contact form)
It Takes Two to Talk® — The Hanen Program® for Parents of Children with Language delays
TalkTime Speech Therapy Services, Inc teaches parents the "It Takes Two to Talk" Program. This program is designed specifically for parents of young children (birth to 5 years of age) who have been identified as having a language delay. In a small, personalized group setting, parents learn practical strategies to help their children learn language naturally throughout their day together.
The It Takes Two to Talk® Program teaches you, step-by-step, how to become your child’s most important language teacher.
The program shows you how to
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Recognize your child’s stage and style of communication so that you know which steps to take next.
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Identify what motivates your child to interact with you so you’ll know how to get conversations started.
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Adjust everyday routines to help your child take turns and keep interactions going.
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Follow your child’s lead to build his confidence and encourage him to communicate.
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Add language to interactions with your child to help him understand language and then use it when he is ready.
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Tweak the way you play and read books with your child to help him learn the language.
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Change the way you speak to your child so that he’ll understand and learn new words.
Program components
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6-8 training sessions for parents in small, personalized groups.
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A Hanen Certified speech-language pathologist leading the program.
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A pre-program consultation for you and your child with the speech-language pathologist.
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Three individual visits for you and your child with the speech-language pathologist in which you are videotaped while practicing strategies to help your child achieve specific communication goals. You and the speech-language pathologist then watch the videotaped interaction to “see” what’s helping your child and what you can modify to help even more.