Areas for growth

Speaking clearly

We will look at how the jaw, tongue, and lips are working together to create the sounds needed for clarity in connected speech.

What is a speech sound disorder? Here's a web from asha.org for quick reference:


Check out the approximate range for how often parents should be able to understand their child by age:

Understanding language

Language is abstract, and it can be challenging to understand spoken and written communication. Check out the following areas in language comprehension that we can cover during intervention:

  • Understanding spoken or written language, including following directions

  • Learning new vocabulary or understanding relationships between words (synonyms/antonyms, figurative language)

  • Identifying and understanding parts of grammar (such as verb tenses, prefixes/suffixes, pronouns)

  • Foundational early reading: learning speech sound system of language (letter sounds and spelling patterns) and phonological awareness

  • Reading comprehension - understanding the main idea, identifying story grammar elements, recalling details

Expressing thoughts and ideas

The other half to our "language puzzle." Here are a few areas we can work on together in expressive language:

  • Delayed speech or vocalizing less often than peers

  • Building longer phrases or more complex sentences

  • Improving grammar in speaking and writing

  • Creating questions and answering questions

  • Word-finding and using more specific language

  • Asking for clarification or help

  • Spelling and writing mechanics

  • Oral reading - accuracy and fluency

Connecting with others

Understanding and navigating the social word is hard! We have so many "hidden rules" that aren't explicitly taught, and social communication is fast-paced and always changing. I can help with:

  • Developing play, joint attention, and engagement

  • Expressing ideas and feelings

  • Initiating and maintaining conversations, turn-taking and staying on-topic

  • Problem solving, inferencing, and predicting how others might respond

  • Connecting ideas in story telling

  • Figuring out "hidden rules" to discover what is expected and unexpected

Eating diverse foods safely

Restrictive behaviors or diets can be stressful. I can help with:

  • Developmentally appropriate self-feeding, using tools (think bottles, cup, and utensils!)

  • Picky eating

  • Breathing through the nose vs the mouth

  • Safe swallowing for foods, liquids, and saliva