Speech therapy helps your child communicate and comprehend verbal and nonverbal cues from others. Your therapist can work on articulation, phonology, AAC device acquisition and training, receptive and expressive language, pragmatic and social skills and feeding.
The Autism F.I.R.S.T. clinical team works closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. Flexibility and customization are important to best meet the needs of your child and family. Therapy is available for ages 2-21 in your home or in our clinics. Your child’s therapists will collaborate with the entire Autism F.I.R.S.T. team each week in order to work towards common goals for your child.
COMMON DIAGNOSES
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Oppositional defiant disorder
- Attention deficit disorder
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Developmental delays
SPEECH & LANGUAGE EVALUATIONS
A recent evaluation from the past six months is required prior to the initiation of therapy. Evaluations provide baseline data, establish goals and are used to track progress. If you do not have a recent evaluation, your child’s speech therapist will conduct one at your first visit. During an evaluation the following areas will be assessed:
- Speech
- Language (receptive and expressive)
- AAC device assessment
- Oral-motor
- Feeding
FEEDING THERAPY
Sensory and behaviorally-based feeding disorders are treated by both speech and occupational therapists using a combination of the Sequential Oral Sensory (S.O.S) and food chaining approaches. Our focus is expanding the child’s diet at their own pace and never force a child to eat foods. Food targets are established by both the parent and therapist. For the best results, parents participate in every session and carry-over therapy meals at home each week. Feeding therapy is effective, but it is intensive and a strong parental commitment is required.
To learn more about our speech therapy, call us today: (703) 496-4371