Pediatric Therapy Services
EVALUATIONS & SPEECH THERAPY
Evaluations
At Eastern Suffolk Speech and Language Pathology, we will begin with an evaluation of your child's skills in the areas you are concerned about - communication, feeding, play, social skills - to learn about both their strengths and challenges. Evaluations help us determine if developmental milestones are being met, if therapy is recommended, and what goals to work on in speech therapy. Parent input is an essential part of our evaluations, and we take time to discuss both concerns and your goals for your child.
Evaluations typically include:
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A conversation with the parent
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Review of developmental and medical history
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Observation of your child's communication skills
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Developmental checklists
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Formal/standardized testing
We offer free screenings to see if further evaluation or therapy is recommended. Some kids who don't qualify for EI may still benefit from speech therapy. Contact us today to get started.
Our Approach to Therapy
Our approach to therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Who your child is and how they learn is unique, so their therapy should be too! Our speech therapists keep kids motivated and having fun by building teaching and practice into activities your child enjoys. At Eastern Suffolk, speech therapy is interactive and fun! We play, we move, we sing, we dance, and we always follow your child's lead.
Parent involvement is also a key aspect of our therapy approach. No matter your child's age, we ensure that your concerns are addressed and that you are included throughout the therapy process. When parents are empowered with the skills to work with their child and their concerns and fears are addressed, we see more progress.
At Eastern Suffolk Speech and Language Pathology, we take a "whole family" approach to speech therapy!
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy focuses on how sounds and words are produced to help your child speak more clearly and confidently. Speech therapy will help your child build skills such as:
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Saying age-appropriate sounds
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Combining sounds into words
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Communicating with clarity in sentences and conversation
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Gaining confidence in their speech
Home practice will be provided to help your child make progress between sessions.
Language Therapy
Language therapy will help your child use and understand language so they can engage at home, school, and with friends. Language therapy will help your child:
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Ask and answer questions
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Improve grammar skills for speaking and writing
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Build social language skills for real-world scenarios
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Develop skills for story retelling
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Understand higher-level language concepts like figurative language and inferencing
Early Intervention
Parent involvement is key to successful early intervention therapy! As a parent, you are an active participant, learning how to work on your child's goals and build practice into daily routines and activities.
What does early intervention look like?
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It looks like play! Children learn through play, so that is how we teach them new skills
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We will help you recognize and understand how your child communicates without words
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You will be coached on how to work on your child's goals through singing, taking turns with toys, looking at picture books, and having fun
Fluency
Therapy for stuttering is guided by your child's age.
For toddlers and preschoolers, therapy is play-based and focuses on modeling smooth, easy speech. Parent coaching is a central piece of therapy where you will learn ways to support your child's speech between sessions.
With school-aged kids who are aware of their stuttering, we focus on discussing their concerns and feelings about stuttering as well as teaching strategies for managing their stuttering.
We also ensure that everyone in your child's life (family members, teachers, etc.) has the tools they need to support your child's communication.
Feeding
Feeding therapy will help your child learn to eat safely and successfully. We take a collaborative approach to therapy and work closely with OTs, doctors, and other professionals as needed. Parent coaching is also a key component of feeding therapy.
Feeding therapy addresses your child's unique needs and will target goals such as:
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Transitioning to oral feedings
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Decreasing oral aversion due to prolonged tube feedings or sensory aversions
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Building oral motor skills for safe swallowing
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Increasing textures and types of foods your child will eat
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Using utensils
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Drinking from a cup
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How to read non-verbal signs that your child is stressed or having difficulty eating/swallowing
Autism
At Eastern Suffolk Speech and Language Pathology, we are a neurodiversity-affirming practice that respects the unique characteristics and personalities of each child.
Identifying your child's strengths is just as valuable to us as determining their areas of need. Our speech therapy sessions will focus on building upon your child's strengths to improve their overall communication skills.
Speech therapy for autism will target skills in the areas of communication, play, social interactions, acceptance, and advocacy.
Summer Programs
We also offer summer groups! Join us for our Therapeutic Playgroups, where parents and kids come together to learn in the context of play with other families to learn how to:
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Create opportunities to have their child use language in real-world situations
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Engage and play with your child in ways that support communication development
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Recognize non-verbal communication as early communication
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Learn easy ways to play with your child in ways that fit into everyday life
We offer groups based on age for children 12 months and up!
