"The world needs all kinds of minds"
-Temple Grandin
Speech and Language Evaluations
Evaluations help identify and address any communication challenges your child may face through observation, parent report and assessments.
Here is a breakdown of the key areas I will assess:
1. Articulation / Phonology / Apraxia
These areas address Speech and how clearly/accurately your child pronounces words.
2. Language
A language evaluation looks at how well your child understands words (Receptive Language) and uses words (Expressive Language).
3. Fluency
Fluency focuses on the smoothness of your child's speech and assesses for the presence of stuttering or other dysfluencies.
4. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
AAC is for children who may not be able to reliably access their voice through spoken language.
5. Social Communication
A social communication evaluation assesses how your child uses language to navigate their social world.
Why Evaluations Matter
It is not uncommon to hear others suggest "wait and see" when you express concerns regarding your child's speech and language development. This approach is outdated. Not only does it delay addressing the needs of your child, but in fact many speech and language delayed children do not "catch up" to same-age peers when all areas of development are considered (e.g. social functioning, literacy development school readiness, academic achievements and possibly a life-long communication disorder that may require long-term support).
Early identification and early intervention has been proven to make a significant difference in helping your child communicate better and increase their self-esteem. Booking an evaluation is the first step to setting your child up for future success.
Individual Therapy
I do not believe in a one-size-fits all methodology. I recognize that each child has their own unique way of communicating. I embrace these differences while challenging your child to excel further. My focus is not purely teaching skills based on age, but supporting development from ground-up and inside-out!
Here are some sample goals that can be targeted in therapy:
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Mastering precise and smooth speech
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Determining most suitable means of functional communication - your child's voice or AAC
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Developing a rich vocabulary
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Helping your child follow directions and understand what is said to them
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Forming sentences and narratives
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Using imagination to spark creativity and problem solve during play
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Understanding humor, sarcasm and non-verbal language
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Using appropriate behaviors to build and maintain friendships
While it often takes a combination of techniques and approaches to support a childs communication, as a DIR Floortime trained therapist I have used the Floortime approach extensively and successfully with many Neurodiverse children.
Understanding DIR/Floortime
Each child is unique and develops at their own pace. By incorporating the specialized techniques of DIR/Floortime, I can ensure your child with Autism, ADHD and/or Speech and Language Delays makes the most improvements.
Often described as the antithesis to ABA, DIR/Floortime is a child-led holistic approach that has been proven to progress a child's skills across areas of communication, emotional functioning, daily living skills and parent-child interactions.
Core Principles of DIR/Floortime
Follow the child's lead
Scaffold to support the child
Expand Circles of Commmunication
Challenge at the correct level
Incorporate emotional interactions
Develop Symbolic Thinking
Social Communication Groups
I specialize in social-pragmatic approaches that support children and adolescents in navigating their social world. I do not believe in teaching discrete "social skills" but rather aim to develop social thinking, understanding and competency. This is best achieved through peer-group based intervention that creates natural teaching moments and allows a safe space to learn about the unique ways we all communicate.
What does Social Competency Look Like?
Have a healthy interest in people
Understand boundaries and use social filters
Develop and maintain relationships/friendships
Navigate face-to-face and online interactions
Initiate appropriately to request, comment, protest, get attention
Know when to interrupt and stop talking
Share and take turns to maintain play and conversation
Understand how your actions impact others
Be flexible around others' ideas
Understand how others' have thoughts and feelings that are different from ours
Group Programs
Please Note: In order to best support your child and understand their needs, a once-off evaluation is required prior to their participation in a social group.
