Category Archives: Speech Therapy For Childern

Communication is a vital aspect of a child’s development, influencing their relationships, academic achievements, and overall well-being. However, some children face speech and language difficulties that can hinder their progress. Early intervention in speech therapy holds the key to overcoming these challenges and empowering children to thrive.

Let’s explore the profound importance of early intervention in speech therapy. Focusing on pediatric speech therapy, autism therapy, and phonological delay therapy, we will uncover how timely intervention equips children with the tools they need for confident communication, discover specialized approaches, the role of dedicated professionals, and the transformative outcomes achievable through timely intervention. The Early intervention addresses speech and language delays during critical developmental stages. Research consistently highlights its significant benefits, allowing children to overcome communication barriers and reach their full potential. By recognizing signs and seeking support from speech pathologists, parents can provide their children with the gift of effective communication.

I. The Developmental Importance of Early Intervention

Early intervention is vital as it aims to address speech and language delays during the critical period of a child’s development. Research consistently demonstrates that early intervention can significantly improve outcomes in communication skills, social interactions, and academic success. Language and communication skills serve as the foundation for a child’s overall development and future success in various areas of life.

Children learn and develop their speech and language skills rapidly in the first few years of life. During this period, their brains are highly receptive to language input, making it an optimal time for intervention. By providing early intervention, speech therapists can help children overcome communication challenges and promote healthy development. Early intervention focuses on identifying and addressing speech and language difficulties as soon as possible before they have a significant impact on a child’s academic, social, and emotional well-being.

II. Recognizing the Signs and Red Flags

Parents and caregivers should be aware of common signs and red flags that indicate a potential speech or language delay in children. These may include limited vocabulary, difficulty understanding instructions, speech sound errors, and challenges with social interactions. Trusting your instincts as a parent and seeking professional advice when concerned about your child’s speech and language development is crucial.

Early identification of speech and language difficulties allows for timely intervention, enabling speech therapists to create individualized treatment plans. The earlier the intervention, the more effective it can be in helping children overcome their challenges and reach their full communication potential.

III. The Role of Pediatric Speech Therapy

Pediatric speech therapy focuses on evaluating, diagnosing, and treating speech and language disorders in children. In Maryland, Baltimore, and Houston, parents have access to expert pediatric speech therapists who specialize in providing early intervention services. These therapists possess the knowledge, skills, and experience to work with children of various ages and communication needs.

Pediatric speech therapists employ evidence-based techniques and develop individualized treatment plans tailored to each child’s specific challenges. They work closely with families to understand their concerns, set achievable goals, and provide ongoing support throughout the therapy process. Through a combination of therapy sessions, play-based activities, and home exercises, pediatric speech therapists empower children to improve their communication skills and gain confidence in their abilities.

IV. Autism Therapy: Early Intervention for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism therapy is particularly essential in early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Baltimore offers specialized interventions targeting the unique communication challenges faced by individuals with ASD. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Early identification and intervention are crucial in supporting children with ASD in their communication development.

Autism therapy focuses on building functional communication skills, improving social interactions, and reducing communication-related anxiety. Speech therapists trained in autism therapy employ various techniques, such as visual supports, social stories, and social skill training, to address the specific needs of children with ASD. By providing early intervention, speech therapists play a vital role in equipping children with the tools they need to navigate the world and communicate effectively.

V. Phonological Delay Therapy: Addressing Speech and Sound Disorders

Phonological delay therapy is designed to address speech sound disorders, including articulation and phonological processing difficulties. Houston provides specialized therapy services for children with phonological delays, helping them develop accurate speech sounds. production, and intelligibility. Phonological delays occur when children have difficulty organizing and producing the sounds of their language.

Early intervention through phonological delay therapy can prevent long-term speech difficulties and enhance a child’s overall communication skills. Speech therapists trained in phonological delay therapy use a systematic approach to identify and target specific sound errors. Through targeted practice, feedback, and reinforcement, children can improve their articulation, phonological awareness, and speech intelligibility.

VI. The Role of Speech Pathologists in Early Intervention

Speech pathologists, also known as speech-language pathologists, play a vital role in early intervention. These professionals possess expertise in assessing and treating speech and language disorders in children. Speech pathologists in Houston, Baltimore, and Maryland work closely with families, developing individualized therapy plans to meet each child’s specific needs.

In early intervention, speech pathologists conduct comprehensive assessments to identify speech and language difficulties and determine appropriate intervention strategies. They provide evidence-based therapy techniques, facilitate communication development through play-based activities, and educate parents on strategies to support their child’s progress outside of therapy sessions. The collaborative partnership between speech pathologists, children, and families is essential to achieving optimal outcomes in early intervention.

Early intervention in speech therapy is a critical component in helping children overcome speech and language difficulties. By seeking the expertise of pediatric speech therapists in Maryland and Houston, parents can ensure that their child receives the necessary support and guidance during their developmental years. Whether it’s addressing autism spectrum disorder, phonological delays, or other speech sound disorders, early intervention sets the foundation for improved communication skills, social interactions, and overall success in life.

Remember, the sooner the intervention, the greater the potential for positive outcomes. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you have concerns about your child’s speech and language development. Through early intervention, children can unlock their communication potential, gain confidence, and thrive in all aspects of their lives.

A parent’s responsibilities are extensive. They are guiding their children to become the best people they can be. However, getting a diagnosis of speech and language difficulties can be devastating for a family. This is the hardest time for both the child and their parents. The child needs high quality speech therapy and a lot of patience and support from their parents as they go through speech therapy.

There are many things you can do to help your child through each stage of Speech Therapy. We are professionals in Baltimore and Houston who work with kids of all ages, and we’d love to share some tips with you to help your kid succeed.

How Can a Parent Help During Speech Therapy? 

It can be nerve-racking taking your child to a Speech Pathologist for the first time, no matter what age they are. It can be intimidating to put yourself out there and interact with new people and explore unfamiliar environments. As a parent, your first task in Speech Therapy will be to help your child become accustomed to his or her new surroundings.

Home practice is the next step in the parent’s role in speech therapy, which will help your child get closer to his or her objectives. If you’re a parent just starting out on the road to Speech Therapy, read on for some advice from us.

Helpful Steps Parents Can Take During Their Child’s Speech Therapy 

Offer Encouragement and Help  

The best thing you can do to help your child succeed in Speech Therapy is to encourage and support them. Motivate and excite your child about their upcoming Speech Therapy sessions while you’re in the car together. Show your child that you are proud of the progress they are making in the therapy session by taking an active role when necessary.

Develop a Schedule and Stick to it

Speech therapy is most effective when it is combined with regular appointments and home practice. Parents should establish and maintain at-home routines that include time for speech therapy practice activities. Some of these activities may be as straightforward as having regular conversations with your kid or reading aloud from a word list. Your child’s Speech Pathologist will advise you on the most beneficial home practice based on their specific needs.

Investing at least 30 minutes per day into speech therapy practice is strongly suggested. Stop worrying about how “perfect” it is. The time or location of speech practice is not predetermined in any way. It is possible to complete even while your child is using the restroom. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it does have to be completed.

Applaud their SMALL Success  

Your child will have successes and milestones in Speech Therapy along the way. They’ll also be successful in the real world, whether at the supermarket or in the classroom. You should rejoice when success finally comes your way. Celebrating and praising your child’s progress in Speech Therapy will not only encourage them to continue with their therapy but will also boost their self-esteem.

There will be days when your child is struggling with Speech Therapy and may feel frustrated with themselves and others. So on the good days, rejoice with them and let them know how proud you are of their progress.

Keep an Eye Out for Signs that Your Child Needs a Break

While we do advocate for regular and frequent Speech Therapy sessions, we also recognize that a short break from therapy may be beneficial for some children. Your child will be much more motivated to continue working with their Speech Pathologist if they are able to apply what they have learned in between appointments.

When in Doubt, Get Help From Outside

Besides speech therapists, many other members of the Allied Health Professions can help your child along the way. For optimal treatment and results, your doctor may suggest involving specialists like psychologists, OTs, PTs, audiologists, and pediatricians. When this type of assistance is suggested from without, it is crucial that it be investigated and pursued.

Be Mindful of your Health and Happiness

As professionals, we at Total Speech Therapy understand how difficult it can be to prioritize your own well-being while also taking care of your children, other family members, and yourself, while also keeping up with their schedules for speech therapy and other activities. Although you have a lot going on, don’t forget to put your own health and happiness first. Even if you’ve had a rough week, remember that your child and family rely on you. In times of need, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance and make use of the resources available to you in your network.

Seeking additional information on pediatric speech therapy? Call 410-696-3301 or email Yasminah at yasminah@totalspeechtherapy.com to make an appointment to learn more about the speech therapy sessions that your child will go through so that you are ready for the road ahead.

Children develop different skills much faster during their first couple of years. Just in a matter of months, they learn to crawl, walk, talk, and even to socialize with others. Every passing month your child reaches a specific milestone, For example, a majority of babies begin to crawl between 6 to 10 months of age and by 16 months they can walk on their own.

The same is true when it comes to speech. By the age of 1, your child should say their first word and about 5 or more words by 18 months. If you find your child is unable to reach these targets, don’t panic. The pace of learning of each child is different. Some are quicker and some are comparatively slow. Your child may be slower than his or her peers in developing language skills. Be patient and try to communicate with the child as much as possible to develop the skill. If nothing works, then you can largely benefit from working with a speech therapist.

If your child is having difficulties with speech, language, swallowing, or cognition, come see us at Total Speech Therapy. We offer a welcoming and friendly environment for children that can help them develop the essential skills they need to lead a fulfilling life. Our expertise & unique approach to addressing a variety of issues related to speech will immensely help your child to learn quickly.

Support for speech and language: 

Speech therapy from an expert can help your child develop their speech and language skills. In some places though speech and language overlap, the two are slightly different when looked at at an acute level. Children may have difficulty either with speaking or language, or both that a speech therapist can ascertain and take the best approach to improve the child’s communication skills.

Working With Speech: 

Speech involves 3 things and they are articulation, voice, and fluency. A child needs all three aspects of speech to work together for effective verbal skills. Articulation skills help our lips, tongue, and mouth to move in a way to produce certain speech sounds. A child with a problem in this area may find it difficult to produce certain letters such as “r” or “th”. Voice is a function that uses breath and vocal folds to make sounds. It is not always necessary for your child to be loud, but they should be able to speak at an understandable volume. Fluency is also an important aspect of speech. Children struggling with fluency may stutter or stammer.

Working With Language:

Language is a skill that refers to the use of words and how they are being used to share your ideas. Language includes 4 aspects and that is speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. A child with a language disorder may have difficulties with one or more of these skills.

Let’s Understand Language:

Understanding the meaning of a word is important. Some words have more than one meaning and the same word can give different meanings depending on its use. A child lacking this ability will have trouble understanding what others say. It is called receptive language disorder while having problems sharing our thoughts, ideas, and feelings is called expressive language disorder.

When is it time to see a speech therapist?

As mentioned before, every child develops speech and language skills at their own pace. However, if you notice your child is not at all or grasping things very very slowly, it may be time to consult a speech therapist and plan speech therapy as soon as possible. Following are some of the aspects to evaluate your child:

  1. A child uses less than 20 words at 18 months and less than 50 words by age 2
  2. A child uses only a few sounds to pronounce all words
  3. A child is having trouble understanding simple sentences by age 2 
  4. A child speaks infrequently and doesn’t use appropriate social language
  5. A child speaks an unclear or immature speech

When a child shows one or more such behaviors mentioned above then it might be time to book an appointment with a speech therapist. If you’re concerned about any of these issues in your child then go for a quick assessment.

At Total Speech Therapy, our speech specialists provide one-on-one therapy that can help your child improve and master their speech and language skills. We are one of the leading speech and language therapy centers in Baltimore and Houston helping children alleviate any the conditions such as Autism, Developmental delays, Cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, Dysphagia, etc. Visit Totalspeechtherapy.com for more information and call 410-696-3301 to book an appointment over the phone today.

For those people who have trouble to communicate, speech therapy is the most viable option for their treatment. This therapy intends to treat their disorder in an effective way. In this therapy, the focal points are patient’s ability to express themselves in words or to understand and comprehend what is being communicated to them.

Some of the most common reasons that result in speech impairments include:

  • Aftermath of any disease
  • Result of a previous medical treatment
  • An Accident

An appropriate treatment method is suggested by the physician after thoroughly examining the patient and knowing the root cause of the problem. There is also a section of people with a speech impairment who are born with this disability.

In speech therapy, depending on the condition of the patient, they are taught about sign languages. Moreover, they may also be suggested to use a communication device that can help to restore their basic communication skills, which is the main purpose of this therapy.

It is to be noted that numerous health care centers offer such services for patients with different speech impairments. Thus, if you are residing in Baltimore, you can easily find a health care center for speech therapy service, Baltimore. However, you must rely on the one that offers the most professional services. For this purpose, a little effort and research are required on your part to find the best speech therapy service in your city.

If your little one is suffering from such a disorder, it is firmly recommended to find a healthcare center that offers Children Speech therapy, Baltimore, and get an appointment. Therapists, in such a center, will help to restore their communication skills after understanding the reason behind their impairment.

Speech pathology is the clinical practice specializing in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of communication, cognitive communication, voice, and swallowing disorders. Speech pathology plays a critical role in the diagnosis and treatment of people along the autism spectrum. Not only focused on correcting a person’s sound articulation, speech pathologists address a broad scope of speech language, swallowing, and voice issues including the following:

 

  • Word finding and other semantic issues
  • Stuttering
  • Social communication skills
  • Autism
  • Swallowing disorders such as dysphagia and feeding issues
  • Apraxia of speech
  • Dysphonia, hypophonia and abnormal vocal quality
  • Language-based learning disabilities
  • Structural language impairments
  • Literacy impairments
  • Cognitive impairments 

Among the most effective and caring speech pathologists in Maryland, Total Speech Therapy’s highly experienced speech pathologists provide exceptional adult and pediatric speech therapy for patients throughout Maryland.

Children especially can sometimes experience difficulty understanding the uses of various parts of speech and master all the intricacies of the spoken word. A professional speech therapist addresses the parts of speech that are difficult for a child to comprehend and focuses on those areas that will enable the development of vocal and literacy skills as the child grows up. Total Speech Therapy’s speech pathologists are fully licensed, certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and have received a certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology.

Understanding that not every patient can visit the offices for their treatments, Total Speech Therapy brings treatment to them. For homebound patients or those at adult living centers, in the hospital, or at school or daycare facilities without transportation, the practice visits patients where they are to deliver treatments and care.

Total Speech Therapy is a professional speech and language therapy practice located in Towson, Maryland. The innovative practice is committed to providing the best possible care and results for people who suffer from speech, language, cognitive, or swallowing disorders. Its team of experienced professionals offers individualized, comprehensive, top-quality outpatient services design to achieve optimum results.

Many parents worry about whether or not their children are developing according to standard guidelines; in some cases, it’s simply a case of being anxious about the potential for late development, and in other cases the child din question may actually benefit from the inter-vention of a speech therapist. Let’s take a closer look at 3 signs that your child may benefit from seeing a speech therapist.

Sign #1:Your toddler can’t be understood by you or other close relatives

If your child is aged 18 months to 2 years, you and your spouse should be able to understand what they are saying, along with anyone else who spends a significant amount of time with your child. But if you and other people familiar with your child are unable to understand what they say at this stage, it may indicate a speech disorder and a need for a speech therapist Maryland.

Sign #2:Your child can’t combine a pair of words

By the age of 2, children should be able to combine 2 words together; these combinations form the earliest forms of sentences for children. These combinations are usually expressions of what the child wants, as well as expressions of affection. Examples include: “Pick up,” “My toy,” “Love doggy,” and so on. Children who haven’t accomplished this by the age of 2 may be in need of a speech pathologist Maryland.

Sign #3:Your child has difficulty with certain sounds by the age of 4

By the age of 3 and 4, most children should be able to pronounce soft and hard sounds in a way that can be understood by adults, even if their pronunciation of the word is not exact. If your child is finding it difficult to pronounce these sounds at 3 or 4, they may benefit from seeing a speech therapist.

When you’re considering having your child see a speech therapist Owings Mills, MD, there are some things you need to know. The following are 3 important things to keep in mind when you are thinking about having your child visit a speech therapist Owings Mills, MD.

#1: You need to talk with your child’s therapist about expectations

It can be easy to have unrealistic expectations regarding speech therapy for children, but remember that every child is different. Each child may progress differently, and not every child will be able to benefit from certain types of therapy. Some children may require different approaches than others. It’s important to talk frequently with your child’s therapist about your expectations and potential goals for your child.

#2: Your health insurance may not cover sessions

Depending on what health insurance you have, your child’s condition, what (if any) therapy goals can be determined, and whether you are using a private or public speech therapist, your health insurance may not cover speech therapy sessions. You will need to consult with your insurance company about what they will cover.

#3: You will need to work with your child at home

Speech therapy doesn’t begin and end at the office. You will need to work with your child regularly at home to ensure that they are using and developing the skills they learned during their therapy sessions. This means you will need to make time during your day to work with your child on speech, so plan to schedule accordingly.

Pediatric Speech Therapy

A Look At The Services Of A Pediatric Speech Therapist

Blog, Speech Therapy For Childern, ,

During their developmental stages, children are learning the basic rules of communication; usage of words, expressions, pitch, and other speech and language rules. Some are quick to learn these techniques and catch up on the language barriers while other kids may take more time. A speech and/or language delay, if it prolongs for a long time, can be a cause of concern for the adults around. This is where a pediatric speech therapist can intervene to help speed things up and help to resolve the issues that are causing the speech and/or delay.

Issues that require speech therapy

Some of the most common issues that would require the help of pediatric speech therapy Maryland are:

Speech delay:
This is one of the most common reasons that would require the help of a pediatric speech therapist. It is however easily treatable and would require speech therapy sessions along with some home carryover of what is being learned in the speech her apt sessions. It is often caused when the child is experiencing developmental delays and/or when the child is learning at a rate slower than his peers.

Expressive language problems:
This happens when the child may be good with thinking and understanding things but has difficulty verbally expressing himself with proper usage of words, emotions and expressions. It is treatable and requires a help from pediatric speech therapy Maryland.

Receptive problems:
Here the child has issues associating words with directions and clearly understanding what is being said to him. These issues with understanding/comprehending spoken or written language would require speech therapy along with other targeting comprehension goals.

Autism:
It is a disorder that can cause a lot of developmental delays and issues in children ranging from speech delays to communication issues. The child would benefit from extensive speech therapy treatment to improve functional communication skills and carryover skills in multiple settings (i.e., school, home, therapy).

Intellectual limitations:
Cognitive limitations can lead to speech issues which would require skilled speech therapy sessions to identify and improve the communication problem.

Hearing loss:
Children who suffer from hearing loss or problems with the ear canal often need speech therapy sessions before and after the issue is resolved to fill up any gaps the hearing problem might have created in their development.

If your child suffers from any one of the above mentioned problems, then he or she might benefit from pediatric speech therapy Maryland. Log in to our website and have us help your child with our skilled speech and language therapy services.

Language Therapy

Speech Therapy For Childern

Language Therapy

Children can sometimes have difficulty understanding the uses of various parts of speech. This is where language therapy can assist. Even as adults we remember the meaning of certain parts of speech like noun, verb and adjective but may forget what is exactly meant by a correlative conjunction or linking verb so it is not so unusual when a child is unsure. In language therapy we can address the parts of speech that are difficult for your child to understand and then focus on those areas which is a great way to develop exceptional literacy skills as he/she gets older.

We Travel To You!

In our years of experience, we have seen significant treatment results when we are able to work with patients in their own environments. Traveling to the patient allows us to interact and work with them in a comfortable and familiar setting, which produces optimal results. Another benefit of having mobile therapists, is that we have an opportunity to communicate with the primary healthcare providers, which enables us to work effectively within the targets set for the patient.

Looking Forward to Hearing From You!

My team and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. You have my personal and professional promise that we will work with you, with the utmost commitment, to provide the best possible care and treatment for your patients.

Yasminah Abdullah, M.S., CCC-SLP
410-696-3301.