FAQs

A speech-language pathologist, often called an “SLP” or “speech therapist,” is an expert in communication. SLPs are masters-level, state-licensed professionals who work with people of all ages, from babies to adults, to assess, diagnose, and treat communication and swallowing disorders.

Speech therapy benefits much more than just the sounds a child says. We might work on:

• Articulation - how speech sounds are made

• Fluency - stuttering, or the rhythm of speech

• Voice - strength and coordination of vocal folds (e.g. hoarseness, vocal strain, breathiness, fatigue)

• Language - what a person understands (receptive) and communicates (expressive)

• Pragmatic Language - communication in social situations

• Gestalt Language Processing - "whole to part" thinking where children acquire language in chunks (called "echolalia," "scripts," or "gestalts")

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) - communication systems that can add to or replace spoken language

• Feeding - starting solids, drinking from a straw or cup, picky eaters

Speech therapy helps children develop necessary skills for effective, well-rounded communication and social interactions, leading to increased confidence, participation, and academic success.

Communication is complex, and every child develops at their own rate. You can find speech, language, feeding, and other milestones on the Resources page. These can help you understand what to expect as your child grows. Early Identification of Speech, Language, Swallowing, and Hearing Disorders helps you identify a variety of concerns that may warrant a discussion with a Speech Language Pathologist. 

Remember, you know your child best! If you have any concerns, it’s best to reach out. When you get in touch, we will schedule a quick, complementary consultation to discuss your child’s development, your concerns, and any questions you may have. Then we’ll decide if it makes sense to schedule an evaluation, make a referral for a possible underlying condition, try some strategies at home, or if your child is right on track. 

A speech or language delay is different than “late talking;” late talkers still meet communication milestones within the expected range, but do so later than many of their peers. While late talking may not be a cause for concern, speech delay is, so be on the look out for early signs that could indicate the need for a speech and language evaluation, including:

1. Not babbling by 12 months

2. No single words by 16 months

3. Not producing two-word phrases by 24 months

4. Difficulty making certain speech sounds

5. Not intelligible 50% of the time by 4 years old

If you wait for your child to talk, they may never start! The sooner a speech delay is identified, the sooner therapy can start. Research shows that children who receive early intervention for speech delays are more likely to make significant progress and catch up to their peers more easily than those who begin therapy later. Early intervention allows us to capitalize on critical development periods and children’s high neuroplasticity to make meaningful changes in brain development.

Different settings have different guidelines, mandated by federal, state, and/or local governments, which determine who qualifies for therapeutic (or special education) services. In the public school system, this determination is made based on standardized test scores, as well as the documented impact on academic performance. Due to these guidelines, some communication concerns may not qualify a student for speech therapy at school, and the start of therapy may be significantly delayed due to Response to Intervention (RTI) models or meeting deadlines and scheduling. Similarly, many insurance providers have restrictions on reimbursement for speech-language therapy services, require a medical diagnosis to qualify for therapy services, or put a cap on prescribed sessions.

In the private practice setting, however, we utilize a wide variety of evaluation measures to provide a comprehensive view of your child’s strengths and potential needs. We may use standardized assessments, language samples, observations, interviews, and consultations to understand how your child communicates and to determine how speech therapy may help. Flexible services allow us to target the skills that are most important to your child and family.

Herriff Speech Therapy provides services in a variety of settings, with an emphasis on natural environments, such as client homes, daycares, preschools, community locations (like parks, playgrounds, or libraries), or even virtually. 

The concept of a "natural environment" is defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as any setting that is typical for an infant or toddler of the same age without a disability. This allows practice of skills in familiar situations to increase comfort, confidence, and generalization; it also provides the therapist with a more comprehensive view of a child’s strengths and challenges during real-world communication. Therapy can be naturally integrated into the individual's daily activities, such as meal times or play, making learning more meaningful.

Therapy often looks like play! You might see us playing with toys, singing songs, reading books, playing tabletop games, practicing daily routines, doing crafts, having a snack, or talking about our day. While it may look like fun, play is hard work for children. It helps us learn new vocabulary, practice routines, use fluent speech, increase participation, learn how to take turns, practice speech sounds, and so much more. Multi-sensory approaches increase skill retention and accommodate diverse learning styles, so you’ll also see lots of visual aids (like picture cards, schedules, sign language, or gestures) and movement during sessions. The last few minutes of every session are dedicated to reviewing activities and progress, as well as providing strategies and ideas for practice at home and/or school; you’ll also receive detailed written notes with this information through our HIPAA-compliant client portal after every session.

What to expect at the first speech therapy appointment:

Whether our first appointment is an evaluation or therapy, our first priority will be building rapport. We’ll discuss your child’s interests ahead of the appointment, and I’ll let them take the lead. I may ask you or your child questions, write examples of their current language, or try a few different strategies to elicit particular skills.

Prior to our first session, we’ll discuss the recommended frequency and duration of sessions, as these will depend on a child’s age, attention span, and specific needs. Clients are often seen once or twice a week, for 30 to 60 minutes. 

The length of therapy can also vary widely. Some children may only attend therapy for a few months for a specific concern, while others may participate for several years to address more complex or persistent challenges. My goal is always to help clients meet their speech and language goals and “graduate” from treatment, so this will be something we discuss from the very beginning.