At ATP Therapy, LCC, we develop a treatment plan that is customized to each patient's needs. We may teach patients how to make sounds, improve their voices, increase their oral/written language skills to communicate more effectively and/or assist in the use of communication devices. We also teach swallowing strategies to improve swallow function or assist in decision making for alternative forms of nutrition.

Our goal is to assist patients in developing or recovering reliable communication and swallowing skills. Whether to improve academic achievement, social confidence, or overall quality of life, we help our patients reach their maximum potential as individuals.

A crucial part of successful treatment is family participation. It is important for all family members to be patient and understanding with the child as well as to be active participants in home exercise programs (HEP).

Speech, Language and Swallowing disorders in children include Articulation, Language, Fluency, Voice and Dysphagia. More commonly, children suffer from developmental delays without a specified or underlying diagnosis. This is referred to idiopathic and is typical with articulation disorders. Speech, Language and Swallowing disorders may result from any of the following:

• Autism
• Birth defects (cleft lip or palate)
• Cerebral Palsy
• Cognitive or other developmental delays
• Excessive ear infections during first year of life
• Feeding problems
• Hearing impairments
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Vocally abusive behaviors
• Weak Oral Musculature

Speak with your physician/pediatrician about your concerns regarding the patient's speech and if you should see a speech language pathologist.

Please contact us with your questions and concerns or to schedule an evaluation:

Aileen Grullon-Colon, MA, CCC-SLP
954-536-1806
AileenSLP@adultstopediatrics.com

A Speech Language Pathologist or Speech Language Assistant performs our screenings. The screenings are 5-10 minutes in length and assess your child’s articulation and language skills. If any deviations from the standard norm of the child’s age are noted, a complete speech and language evaluation will be recommended to decide if your child will need Speech Therapy Services.

A Speech Language Pathologist performs our evaluations. An evaluation varies in length depending on the child but is at least 30-45 minutes in length if not longer. The evaluation typically begins with review of the patient’s case history via parent interview. Then the child will be assessed using formal standardized tests and/or informal testing (observation), where the child’s articulation, language, and oral motor function will be assessed. Swallow function is also assessed, but only when concern is reported or if abnormalities noted by clinician during oral assessment. If the child demonstrates any abnormalities in any of the areas assessed for his chronological age, Speech Therapy Services will be recommended.

Already scheduled for an evaluation? Please feel free to download and complete a case history form (PDF) in advance and have it ready to give to your therapist the day of your scheduled appointment. It will save you time and allow you to complete the form more accurately and at your own leisure. Thanks!

We look forward to working with you!

Professional help should be sought as soon as you become concerned. Early detection and intervention is essential. The most critical time period for speech development is between one and three years of age.

You should seek help if you have any of the following concerns:

• Your child is not reaching developmental speech and/or motor milestones
• You have difficulty understanding what the child is trying to say
• You think the child is speaking differently from children of the same age
• The child has difficulty telling you what he/she wants
• The child has difficulty understanding what people are saying
• The child has difficulty swallowing/chewing or tolerating textured foods or liquids
• The child has persistent harsh or breathy vocal quality for a period of several weeks or more

No child is too young to be helped, so don't delay in contacting your pediatrician or ATP Therapy, LLC . We would be happy to answer all of your questions and concerns, and if no problem exists, you will be relieved of worry.

A child’s speech sounds will develop as he/she grows. The most critical time period for speech development is between the ages of one and three. Around two or three months, a baby makes early vocalizations. A baby babbles around six months and learns most speech sounds by 30 months (2 ½ years old). By the age of three, the majority of sounds your child makes should be normal. Even though your child may not have developed all the sounds yet, others should be able to understand him/her. For more information also see MILESTONES .

There are expected language behaviors for different ages. For example, by age one, your child should be speaking with one or two words, following simple directions (Come here.), and understanding simple questions (Where are your shoes?). By two to three years of age, your child should be speaking in two to three word sentences to talk about actions, people, situations and things. He/She should be able to follow sequential requests (Get your shoes and put them on.). Also, your child should be understood most of the time. Please refer to our milestones chart for more information.

It is important to remember that all children develop at different rates. The most important thing is that your child continues to show language growth.

Speech therapy aims to improve a person's ability to communicate and/or swallow. We assist the patient in the use of remaining abilities, restoring abilities as much as possible, teaching compensatory strategies for the problem indicated, and learning other methods of communicating (e.g., Augmentative Communication Device, Sign Language). In addition, we develop personalized home exercise programs for goal maintenance.

In patients with swallowing disorders, we will monitor signs and symptoms of aspiration. Additional radiologic or endoscopic evaluation may be recommended to further assess the swallow function. We will also assist in upgrading food restrictions through treatment exercises/techniques, food texture recommendations and swallowing strategies.

Group or individual therapy may be recommended for further evaluation by other health professionals such as an audiologist, a developmental psychologist or an otolaryngologist.

Parental involvement is essential to the child’s success in speech or language therapy. Parents that have been actively involved with their child’s therapy programs often see their children complete the program more quickly and with the most lasting results. Ask your speech-language pathologist for suggestions on how to help your child to ensure his/her continued progress.

It is very important for all family members to be patient and understanding with the child as overcoming these disorders may take some time and effort.

For more information on how you can help your child's language every day, please refer to the "What Can I Do at Home to Stimulate Language Development?" FAQ.

Stimulating language at home starts when your child is born! Every moment spent with your child is an opportunity to stimulate speech/language:

• During Bath Time: talk about body parts and water
• During Feeding Time: talk about what they are eating and describe actions (e.g. “spoon in the bowl”, “open your mouth”, “want more”, “all done”)
• While Grocery Shopping: Talk about products you are purchasing; Describe fruits and vegetables (colors, shapes, sizes)
• While Driving: explain where you are going and what you will be doing when you get there
• Read Books: Any book is great. They teach the child that words and pictures have meaning.
• Take the time to describe what you and your child are doing (cooking, mixing) and what you see (big, yellow) as well as naming and counting objects (body parts, foods, etc)
• Sing songs (e.g. Alphabet song, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Wheels on the Bus)
• Teach animal sounds and games such as Peek-a-boo
• Encourage your child to request action (e.g. Do you want more?, open, turn page).
• Take time to listen to your child. Respond to what is said or repeat parts of what is said so your child knows you’re listening

Some speech mistakes should be expected as your child develops; however, report any concerns you may have to your child’s pediatrician.