What Conditions Can Speech Therapy Treat? Insights from a Speech Therapist in Tribeca, NYC

Author: Heather Lynn Boerner MA CCC/SLP

s a practicing pediatric speech-language pathologist with over two decades of experience in the rehabilitation field I have treated a wide range of speech and language concerns and differences as an early childhood speech and language specialist. I’ll share some of the experiences here…

Speech-language pathologists are trained to treat all types of speech, language, hearing, voice and feeding concerns, across the life span.

In this blog I will describe a few common pediatric speech, language and feeding differences I treat here at Chatty Child with my team of highly experienced and trained speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists.

As licensed speech language pathologists we are trained to assess and treat a wide range of differences across all domains of speech and language development.

So what are the basic domains of language development?

The first area of language development is called receptive language skills.

Receptive language skills refers to the ability to process and understand spoken and written language.

Some children who come into my office for support may experience difficulty processing language. This may result in difficulty following directions in the home, at school, or maybe particularly in noisy or over-stimulating environments.

Also, as these children mature they may experience challenges in reading comprehension as the material grows more complex.

Treatment in this area will focus on improving auditory processing skills and creating modifications within their learning environments to improve their listening and auditory processing skills.

A speech-language pathologist well versed in auditory processing differences can help you and your child navigate these beneficial supports.

The second area of language development is expressive language skills.

Expressive language skills refers to the ability to produce sounds, words, thoughts and ideas.

In my practice I treat children who may be experiencing challenges acquiring spoken language or speech productions. For these children, I focus on improving verbal abilities while also providing meaningful alternative means to communicate effectively – such as using gestures, sign language and/or picture boards and symbols. This is to foster independent communication while improving successful communication exchanges.

When working with older patients this may include targeted goals on improving expressive writing, grammar and cohesion of thoughts and ideas when speaking and writing.

A speech-language pathologist can help build the foundations for successful communication exchanges and experiences with your child.

The third area of language development is pragmatic language skills.

Pragmatic language skills refers to the ability to use language as a social means and to get one’s needs and desires met.

This involves implementation of holistic practices to foster a deep sense of understanding while encouraging authentic social interactions through play, exploration and connection – this is of utmost importance when strengthening an internal desire for social engagement.

Children must feel safe, secure and confident to engage in meaningful social exchanges with others within their environment.

Next, we can assess and treat a child’s speech differences which may fall into two distinct categories : articulatory or phonological errors.

Articulation errors are applied across certain sounds due to structural or oral-motor differences.

Phonological errors are rule-based & language-based simplifications of learned sound systems. These early patterns are exhibited in childhood when developing and learning about sound patterns. .

In addition, a child could be experiencing significant difficulties acquiring speech if they are exhibiting signs and symptoms of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). This condition is marked by difficulty in muscle coordination (as opposed to structural or muscle strength concerns.)

Determining the root cause of your child’s speech difficulties requires the assessment of a licensed and highly-trained speech-language pathologist.

Speech-language pathologists also commonly work with fluency differences (or what is commonly referred to as “stuttering”). Within my practice I use a combination of traditional speech therapy methods as well as meditation, mindfulness exercises, breath work and somatic (body) practices to address the whole body and child to achieve more fluent speech patterns in and out of the treatment room.

Speech-language pathologists are also trained in treating pediatric voice concerns. We may first recommend an assessment be completed by an ear-nose-throat (ENT) doctor (known as an otolaryngologist) to rule out any structural or medical issues that may be impacting a child’s vocal volume or quality.

Once cleared for voice therapy a speech-language pathologist can work with your child to improve vocal hygiene behaviors while improving their overall vocal quality and/or vocal volume within a caring and supportive environment.

If you have concerns about the vocal quality of your child’s voice it is important to seek guidance from an experienced speech-language pathologist.

Lastly, parents seek my guidance when their child is experiencing feeding difficulties during mealtime. These challenges could be marked by sensory sensitivities to certain temperatures, tastes, or textures.

Or sometimes a child has challenges when transitioning to different textures. For example, a child might experience trouble transitioning from bottle feeding to pureed textures to harder solids.

Or perhaps a child could take a long time to finish a meal and struggle with consuming enough calories at each mealtime.

Also, an oral motor examination could reveal issues with a lip, cheek or tongue tie (restricted frenulum tissue.)

In my feeding treatment sessions I work in collaboration with the child’s entire medical team. I use a variety of feeding techniques to improve their feeding skills, while carefully and compassionately building a rapport to improve your child’s relationship with mealtime and food.

There are many different reasons why a child could be experiencing mealtime troubles. It is best to consult an experienced feeding therapist to optimally diagnose and treat the root cause of these feeding challenges.

These are just a few examples of the types of conditions I assess and treat in my pediatric speech clinic in Tribeca, in downtown New York City.

If you have any specific concerns about your child’s speech, language or feeding development it is always best to get a professional speech-language and/or feeding assessment by a licensed speech-language pathologist.

Chatty Child’s speech therapists can assess your child’s speech and language developmental needs and craft an individually tailored treatment plan to address any areas of concern; while working seamlessly with your child’s medical team to achieve the best therapeutic outcomes for your child and family.

To book a speech therapy assessment & sessions with Heather Lynn Boerner MA CCC/SLP please visit our website at: www.chattychild.com; email: info@chattychild.com; or call: 347 491 4451

Sincerely,

Heather Lynn Boerner MA CCC/SLP

Chatty Child Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, PLLC

Creating Possibilities .. one child at a time ..

Chatty Child Provides Pediatric Speech & Occupational Therapy & Classes in Tribeca, Manhattan, NYC – In Person at 325 Broadway Suite 403 New York, NY 10007 & serving the entire state of New York including: NYC, Westchester, Hudson Valley, Long Island via online therapy in New York State.