At Tiny Steps Speech Therapy, we strive to provide top notch speech therapy services for young children. At this time we provide the following services:
Complementary Consultation and Screening
I provide a one-time complementary 30-45 minute consultation and screening either by phone or in person to introduce myself, answer questions, and determine if an evaluation and/or speech services are warranted as well as to determine if I am the right person to work with your family.
Speech & Language Evaluations
Comprehensive Speech & Language Evaluation: This comprehensive speech and language evaluation will assess all areas of communication including articulation/phonology, fluency, receptive language, expressive language, social/pragmatic language, voice, and oral motor skills. The goal of this evaluation is to gather information on your child’s current levels of functioning in the areas of speech, language and social skills development and determine if there is a need for speech and language therapy.
Comprehensive Speech & Language Evaluations are provided in your home and include:
- Parent interview
- Review of records and/or developmental history
- Evaluation using standardized assessment measures, observations, and other formal and informal assessment measures
- A thorough and detailed report in both paper and electronic form (secured PDF document) that you may share with other service providers, physicians, or specialists.
- Post assessment consultation to review assessment results/report
- Up to three short (5-10 minute) consultations with related professionals (via phone or email)
Articulation Only Evaluation: This evaluation is designed for children with mild to moderate articulation delays only. The articulation only evaluation is designed to thoroughly evaluate your child’s articulation (speech) and oral motor skills, while screening other major areas of communication (receptive and expressive language, fluency, social skills, and voice). (Please note: Children with more impaired articulation skills will require a more detailed and in depth evaluation and will need the comprehensive speech and language evaluation. I will be able to let you know which evaluation is best upon speaking to you and your child.)
Articulation Only Evaluations are provided in your home and include:
- Parent interview
- Review of records and/or developmental history
- Evaluation using standardized assessment measures, observations, and other formal and informal assessment measures
- A thorough and detailed report in both paper and electronic form (secured PDF document) that you may share with other service providers, physicians, or specialists.
- Post assessment consultation to review assessment results/report
- Up to two short (5-10 minute) consultations with related professionals (via phone or email)
Individualized Speech & Language Therapy Sessions
I provide individual speech and language therapy to your child with clear goals and objectives determined by the results of the assessment process. My recommendation of the level of service (how often your child receives therapy) will be based on the assessment results and your personal goals for your child. Individual sessions are 45 or 60 minutes in length, depending on your child’s needs.
Individualized Speech & Language Therapy Sessions are provided in your home and include:
- 5-10 minutes of consultation/education time with parents/caregivers EVERY session (45 minute sessions include 35-40 minutes of direct therapy plus consultation and 60 minute sessions include 35-40 minutes of direct therapy plus consultation).
- Weekly homework/home practice
- Session summary
- Email and phone contact with myself
- Up to 45 minutes a month of consultations with related professionals (via phone or email)
Consultations (General)
I provide consultations to your family regarding your child’s speech and language needs that are outside of, or instead of, direct speech therapy. These usually consist of a meeting or series of meetings with you, the parent, to answer questions and guide you on your journey to help your child.
Setting up the Environment for Communication Consultations
The environment you provide your child can make a world of a difference in his/her journey to being an effective communicator. In my Setting up the Environment for Communication Consultation, I come into your home and make suggestions on how to modify your child’s main environment, the home, to make as many opportunities for communication and communication learning as possible. These usually consist of 2-4 home visits and include toy recommendations and how to set up your daily routines (such as eating and bath time) for optimal communication opportunities.
It Takes Two to Talk ® The Hanen Program®: For Parents of Children with Language Delays
I am certified in Hanen’s It Takes Two to Talk program. Here is a brief introduction to the program from Hanen:
The It Takes Two to Talk 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:
- Recognize your child’s stage and style of communication so that you know which steps to take next
- Identify what motivates your child to interact with you so you’ll know how to get conversations started
- Adjust everyday routines to help your child take turns and keep interactions going
- Follow your child’s lead to build his confidence and encourage him to communicate
- Add language to interactions with your child to help him understand language and then use it when he is ready
- Tweak the way you play and read books with your child to help him learn language
- Change the way you speak to your child so that he’ll understand and learn new words
For more information on this program, please check out Hanen’s Website.
I can provide the ITTT program as a parent training course as well as a modified version within individual speech/language sessions with you and your child. Please contact me for more details on how this program works and to see if it is the right fit for your child and family.
Target Word® The Hanen Program® : For Parents of Children who are Late Talkers
In Fall 2013, I will be going through certification to run Hanen’s Target Word program in addition to It Takes two to Talk. The Target Word program is inteneded for children who are late talkers. The Hanen Centre identifies a late talker as a child who meets the following criteria:
- Has an expressive vocabulary of fewer than 24 words and is between 18 and 20 months
- Has an expressive vocabulary of fewer than 40 words and is between 21 and 24 months
- Has an expressive vocabulary of fewer than 100 words and/or limited two-word combinations and is between 24 and 30 months;
- Has relatively good skills in his or her other areas of development (learning, gross and fine motor, play, social, etc.) and
- Has some risk factors, such as limited use of gestures, limited use of different speech sounds, and having a member in the extended family who has had speech or learning difficulties
As a parent, the Target Word Program will help you learn:
- How to build language-learning opportunities into everyday activities and routines
- What to do when your child communicates without using words to help him move to the next step
- How to introduce “target” words into everyday routines and playtime
- How to repeat target words frequently in everyday situations to create opportunities for your child to say words
- How to turn play time into language-learning time
For more information on the Target Word program, please see Hanen’s website. Please contact me for more details on how this program works and to see if it is the right fit for your child and family.
Baby Sign Language Instruction/Classes
In addition to speech and language therapy, I also offer simple baby sign language instruction. In either a small class or in 1:1 instruction, you can learn how to use sign language with your infant, toddler, or special needs child. Why teach your children sign? You can read more HERE. Please contact me for class or 1:1 availability.