Speech Disorders

Are you, or people around you finding it difficult to understand your child’s speech? Is your child difficult to understand when context is unknown? Your child may be experiencing an articulation or phonological process disorder.  Articulation refers to the process an individual’s articulators (tongue, teeth, lips, jaw, palate) come together in coordinated movements to form speech sounds that are understood by others. An articulation impairment is a deficiency in two or more of these articulators coming together to produce an accurate sound at the syllable, word, phrase, or conversational level. Articulation disorders are considered motor-based errors. Individuals with phonological disorders have difficulty organizing the patterns of sounds in the brain and the output.

If left uncorrected, those speech disorders can place a child at risk for writing and reading difficulties during their academic school years. Furthermore, their unintelligible speech may have a negative impact on their social acceptance and confidence amongst their peers.

Speech Therapy

The term, “speech therapy” is derived from the Greek word “logos”, meaning “word”.  As a result, speech therapy deals with language. Language is the gateway to the world. Through it, man can express himself and communicate his emotions. With the help of speech therapy, our clients are able to participate in society through various modes of communication.

Originally, only linguistic abnormalities were treated by means of therapeutic measures. In the meantime, however, the treatment spectrum of speech therapists has expanded significantly.

In addition to the treatment of language abnormalities, speech language therapists also take care of speech, voice, swallowing disorders, and cognitive disorders, which have organic or functional causes.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may exhibit various verbal and non-verbal communicative behaviors such as a lack in joint attention and social interactions, exhibiting repetitive speech through scripting, and giving limited eye contact. The clinicians at Communicating Above Barriers have experience with this amazing population.
There has been an increase in the number of children being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Currently, statistics show that 1 in 110 children (1 in 70 boys) will be diagnosed with ASD. These children will require intervention for social, emotional, behavioral, speech, and language differences. Early intervention for this population is crucial to achieving long-term goals and success in life. Communicating Above Barriers provides professional advice and therapy including parent education, social playgroups, parent-child training, and/or individual speech and language therapy.

Pediatric Play Therapy

Pediatric play therapy is an evidence-based approach that utilizes the natural medium of play to help children express their emotions, explore their experiences, and develop coping mechanisms. Through structured play activities, therapists create a safe and supportive environment where children can communicate their thoughts and feelings in a way that is comfortable and natural for them.

Benefits of Play Therapy

1. Emotional Expression: Play therapy allows children to express emotions that they may not be able to verbalize. Toys and play activities become symbols for their inner thoughts and feelings, providing a non-threatening outlet for expression.
2. Problem-Solving Skills: Through play, children can work through problems and explore solutions in a creative and hands-on manner. This process helps them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
3. Behavioral Regulation: Play therapy can help children learn to regulate their behaviors and emotions. By engaging in structured play, children practice self-control and develop strategies for managing their feelings.
4. Social Skills Development: Interactive play activities encourage the development of social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and understanding others’ perspectives. These skills are essential for successful peer interactions and relationships.
5. Stress Relief: Play provides a natural outlet for relieving stress and anxiety. It allows children to engage in activities that bring them joy and relaxation, promoting overall mental well-being.

How Play Therapy Works

During sessions, therapists use a variety of play materials such as dolls, action figures, sand trays, art supplies, and games to facilitate communication and therapeutic intervention.

Therapists may take on a directive role, guiding the play to address specific issues, or a non-directive role, allowing the child to lead the play and express themselves freely. Sessions are tailored to meet the individual needs of each child, ensuring a personalized approach to therapy.

Who Can Benefit from Play Therapy

Play therapy is effective for children experiencing a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and developmental issues, including:

• Anxiety and depression
• Trauma and grief
• Behavioral problems
• Social and relational difficulties
• Developmental delays
• Autism spectrum disorder

Social Skills and Peer Relationships

Many children have a difficult time understanding social language (Pragmatics).  This lack of understanding may impact their relationships with their peers, other adults, and even family members. One-on-one and small group simulations have shown to significantly increase a child’s successful peer interactions, while also improving self-confidence.

Pragmatic Language:  Does your child have difficulty making eye contact, maintaining the topic of conversation, initiating greetings or conversations, recognizing appropriate personal space, and/or understanding the perspectives of others? These are just a few of the issues people dealing with pragmatic language deficits may be encountering. At Communicating Above Barriers, LLC we offer group therapy sessions to improve pragmatic (social language) skills. Skills are taught using interactive, evidenced based practices that create a nurturing and inviting environment to help cultivate expected social language behavior.

Play Skills and Early Preschool Development

Children may have difficulty engaging peers in play, using eye contact and body language, exhibiting appropriate turn-taking skills, and with developing their own pretend play. Early play skills have been linked to later language and cognitive development.