Speech and language are essential for communication starting at a young age. Language involves incorporating social rules to determine word meanings, how to put words together, and determining what word combinations are best in different situations. Speech includes how speech sounds are made, the use of our vocal folds and breathing to produce sound, and the rhythm of speech.
Communication disorders can involve speech and language difficulties in isolation or in conjunction with one another. Speech-Language Pathologists (informally known as Speech Therapists) assess, diagnose, treat and help prevent disorders related to speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, fluency, and swallowing. Our Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologists specialize in evaluating and treating various speech and language disorders in children including the following:
Apraxia: difficulty sequencing the sounds in syllables and words.
Stuttering: disruption in the fluency of speech
Voice: vocal production characterized by differences in pitch, quality, or loudness
Speech Sound Disorders: difficulties with articulation (making sounds) and phonological processes (sound patterns).
Language Disorders/Receptive/Expressive Language Delays: difficulties understanding and expressing language.
Social Pragmatic Language Disorder: difficulties with social interaction, social cognition, and pragmatics.
Cognitive-Communication Disorders: impairment of cognitive processes including attention, memory, abstract reasoning, awareness, and executive functioning (e.g. self-monitoring, planning, and problem-solving)
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): systems and devices that assist individuals with communication disorders