If you're the parent of a child who is struggling with speech and language development, you may be feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do. You are not alone! Pediatric speech therapy can help your child overcome these challenges and improve their quality of life. At Southland Therapy Services, we specialize in providing pediatric speech therapy services to children of all ages. Our therapists are state and board-certified, and we offer family support and education so that parents can help their children continue to progress outside of therapy sessions. We understand that every child is unique, so we work closely with each family to develop an individualized treatment plan that meets their specific needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your child!
Pediatric Speech Therapy Services
Pediatric speech therapy services are designed to assess and treat speech disorders and communication problems in young children. SLP therapy can help children develop a variety of important skills like comprehension, clarity, voice, fluency, and sound production. It is crucial to note that pediatric speech therapy is different from adult speech therapy, as the techniques used by our team at Southland Therapy Services are developmentally appropriate for young children.
At our clinic, pediatric speech therapy begins with an initial evaluation by a speech and language pathologist. During the evaluation, we will collect information about your child’s medical history, speech and language development milestones, current abilities, and any current concerns you may have. Based on this information, we will develop an individualized treatment plan that is designed to meet your child’s specific needs.
Treatment plans may include a variety of different therapy techniques and activities, and our team will work closely with you to ensure that you are comfortable and confident in implementing the plan at home.
Our state-licensed Speech Language Pathologists are trained to evaluate and treat various speech, voice, and language disorders, including:
- expressive and receptive language disorders
- communication disorders
- articulation and phonological disorders
- cognitive skills such as problem-solving and reasoning
- feeding and swallowing
- oral motor skills
- augmentative communication
- behavior management
Speech Milestones:
Some common milestones to look for in your child(ren) are:
By age 1: Recognizes name; Says 2-3 words in addition to "mama" and "dada"; Imitates familiar words; Understands simple instructions; Recognizes words as symbols for objects: (examples) Car- points to garage, cat – meows.
Ages 1-2 yrs: Understands "no"; Uses 10 to 20 words including names; Combines two words such as "daddy bye-bye"; Waves good-bye and plays pat-a-cake; Makes the "sounds" of familiar animals; Gives a toy when asked; Uses words such as "more" to make wants known; Points to their toes, eyes, and nose; Brings object from another room when asked.
If you notice your child isn’t hitting their milestones or you have concerns of your own, reach out to our team at Southland Therapy Services. During our pediatric speech therapy, our speech and language pathologists will help your child meet a variety of milestones. These milestones are designed to help children develop the skills they need to communicate effectively.
How do I know if my child could benefit from Speech Therapy?
Not meeting the expected developmental milestones during the first 15-24 months of life (i.e., cooing, babbling, producing first word(s)
Difficulty coordinating and planning oral-motor movements (tongue, lips) to formulate sounds/ syllables or have weak oral motor movements (i.e., weak jaw and/or tongue strength)
Not putting two words together to produce phrases and short sentences
Articulation difficulties where their speech consists of substitutions ( i.e., “f ” for “th,” “w” for “l”), distortions (i.e., the “s” sound may be a lisp or sounds messy), omissions (i.e., the word “cat” is produced “ca.”)
Weaknesses in receptive language skills or the ability to understand Language. (includes following simple directions, identifying spatial and temporal concepts, understanding prepositions, identifying antonyms, synonyms, multiple-meaning words, etc.)
Weaknesses in expressive language skills or the ability to communicate through words, facial expressions, gestures, or other nonverbal forms
Difficulties in social situations, such as appropriate turn-taking skills, eye contact, understanding a communication partner’s feelings, introducing and maintaining a topic, etc.
Limited food repertoire or have a food repertoire that is limited to certain textures, such as puree
Numerous disfluencies where they may repeat a sound, word, or phrase before completing a sentence
Poor vocal quality, such as a hoarse or weak voice as well as vocal nodules
If you are looking for pediatric speech therapy in Georgia, look no further than Southland Therapy Services. Our team of state and board-certified therapists is dedicated to helping children of all ages overcome speech and communication disorders. We offer family support and education so that parents can help their children continue to progress outside of therapy sessions.
While most insurance plans cover pediatric speech therapy, it’s always a good idea to check with your specific provider to find out the details of your coverage. At Southland Therapy Services, we accept most commercial and government insurances, including Medicaid.
WE ACCEPT MOST COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT INSURANCES.
BELOW IS A PARTIAL LIST:
Georgia and South Carolina Medicaid - including Fee for Service; Blue Choice of SC; Amerigroup of Georgia; Peach State Health Plan; Select Health; United Healthcare Community Plan; Absolute Total Care; Palmetto Physician Connections; Primary Physician Care
Blue Cross Blue Shield - including BCBS of Georgia, BCBS of South Carolina; BCBS State Health Plan; BCBS Anthem;
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your child!
If you are concerned about your child’s speech development, reach out to Southland Therapy Services. We offer pediatric speech therapy in Georgia and South Carolina that is designed to help children of all ages overcome communication disorders. Our team of state-licensed therapists is dedicated to helping families find success. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your child!
