Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any other questions please fill out the form below!
What is Speech and Language?
Speech refers to:
how the sounds in spoken words are pronounced
how easily others understand the words spoken
how easily or fluently a person speaks
whether the rate and timing sound like adult speech and includes the quality of the voice used in speaking
a person's volume (too loud or soft), tone (too low or high), vocal quality (hoarse, harsh, strained/strangled), or resonance (does it sound like they are talking through their nose?)
Language refers to:
vocabulary used and understood
sentence length and complexity
word and sentence structures that can be understood and used
knowledge of concepts (e.g., on/off, fast/slow, same/different, etc.)
ability to understand and follow age-level directions
ability to answer age-appropriate questions
the sequential accuracy of what is said
social relevance and situational appropriateness and content of what is said
understanding and use of non-verbal cues used such as eye gaze, gestures, and body language
WOULD MY CHILD BENEFIT FROM SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPY AT TALK?
If you suspect that your child may have a speech or language concern (see Developmental Milestones), a speech-language Initial Assessment may be warranted. If you have any questions, please Contact Us and an experienced therapist can discuss your concerns and assist with deciding whether an assessment would be appropriate. Remember that every child is different and that speech/language develops at varying rates even amongst siblings.
Can you help my child talk?
If you are concerned about your child’s speech and language development, you should definitely consult with a speech-language pathologist. It is true that many children acquire these skills in their own time; however, for those children who require additional support to develop those skills, we are here.
For children with limited expressive language skills, we can help develop a means of communicating skills through requesting, turn talking, communicative intent and much more. We can also help children increase auditory comprehension skills through receptive language training of spatial and temporal concepts, multi step directions and many other areas. Each child’s needs are individual and therefore we make individualized plans for each child, see Our Approach.
Can we help your child to communicate? YES! In many ways!
How long will my child be in therapy?
The length of time that a child spends in therapy is very dependent on his or her individual needs. Length of services are also very dependent on follow-through at home. A strong home component is necessary for the success of the therapy. While it is not possible to give an exact timeframe, at TALK we provide progress meetings and reports every four months to demonstrate what progress your child has made and to discuss where there is still room for growth.
What do I need to do help my child?
Parents and caregivers are very critical for therapeutic progress. As your child is only in therapy a limited amount of time per week, carrying over suggestions at home is necessary for progress. The course of treatment is also decreased by consistent attendance, follow-through at home, and generalization across other environments that your child may be involved in.
Make language part of everyday experiences in a fun and natural way. Set time aside daily to play with your child, talk about what you and he/she are doing, and try to read to him/her daily. If possible find opportunities for him/her to socialize with other children. Avoid comparisons between your child’s speech and other children’s.
How is therapy at TALK different than therapy offered at school?
At TALK, we require clients to attend individual sessions a minimum of twice a week, as research has shown that to make progress, children need repetition. Our therapy is geared toward improving a child’s speech, language, and communication across settings (See Our Approach). School therapy needs to be based on your child’s educational needs. It is also necessary to qualify for those services. Due to time constraints in the schools, sessions tend to be much shorter in your child’s school-based programs. Therapists may not be able to provide the intensity and the frequency that is needed. We emphasize contact with your child’s school therapist for consistency in treatment and sharing of information from setting to setting.
What payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, and credit card payments and can provide receipts for your insurance reimbursement needs. All of our reports are coded for insurance. Additionally, we are an approved vendor for the Golden Gate Regional Center.