Rehabmates

Speech Therapy Services

Discover the transformative impact of Speech Therapy Services on your child’s communication skills, fostering growth, confidence, and a brighter future.

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What It Is & How It Can Help Your Child

Speech therapy is a special training to improve communication skills in people with speech and language disorders. It helps with understanding and speaking clearly. The exercises are helpful for people with difficulties in understanding, developing, and saying words. This therapy is for both children and adults with conditions like articulation disorders, delays, stuttering, or voice disorders. It’s a medical treatment to improve communication skills.

Language pathologists (speech therapists) use evidence-based methods and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to help people with language disorders improve their communication skills. They use techniques like articulation exercises, language stimulation activities, and voice therapy to address individual needs. This approach combines education, research, and health to provide effective treatment. By addressing underlying causes and providing targeted intervention, speech therapy can greatly improve the quality of life for those with communication challenges. Language pathologists are important in improving the health and education of people with language disorders.

At Rehabmates, we offer speech therapy services for children in the United States with oral motor, speech, voice, cognitive, and other cognitive impairments. Our highly trained speech therapists are experts in their profession and hold advanced degrees in speech therapy. We strive to achieve the goal of improving the quality of lives of our patients by providing speech therapy exercises and language pathology services. Our aim is to help them develop better communication skills and overcome challenges in speaking, understanding, and expressing themselves effectively.

Speech

What Is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy, also known as language pathology, is a specialized form of therapy that aims to improve an individual’s communication abilities. It encompasses various techniques and strategies to address difficulties in speech, language, and swallowing. By working with trained speech therapists in the field of language pathology, individuals can develop the necessary skills to communicate effectively and confidently.

Speech Therapy Services Tailored to Individual Needs

Speech therapists, also known as language pathologists, employ a range of methods tailored to meet each individual’s specific needs in the field of language pathology. These techniques may include:

  • Articulation Therapy: a technique used in language pathology, concentrates on enhancing pronunciation and clarity of speech sounds.
  • Language Therapy: Language therapy targets the development of vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and expression skills.
  • Fluency Therapy: For individuals who stutter or have other fluency disorders, fluency therapy helps improve their speaking rhythm and flow.
  • Voice Therapy: Voice therapy addresses issues related to vocal quality, pitch control, volume modulation, and resonance.

Addressing Difficulties in Speech

Speech therapy aims to address various difficulties that individuals may encounter. Some common challenges include:

 

  • Articulation Disorders: These involve difficulty pronouncing certain sounds or substituting one sound for another.
  • Apraxia of Speech: This motor speech disorder affects the ability to plan and execute the movements required for speech production.
  • Stuttering: Stuttering involves disruptions in the normal flow of speech characterized by repetitions, prolongations, or blocks.
  • Voice Disorders: Conditions such as vocal nodules or vocal cord paralysis can affect voice quality and overall vocal function.

Enhancing Language Skills

Language disorders encompass difficulties with understanding spoken or written language as well as expressing oneself verbally or in writing. Speech therapists help individuals improve their language skills through targeted interventions such as:

 

  • Vocabulary Building: Expanding one’s knowledge of words and their meanings through activities like word associations and categorization exercises.
  • Grammar Development: Learning proper sentence structure, verb tenses, pronouns, and other grammatical rules.
  • Comprehension Strategies: Developing strategies to improve understanding of spoken and written language, such as summarizing or asking clarifying questions.

Improving Swallowing Function

Speech therapy also plays a crucial role in addressing swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia. Swallowing disorder specialists work with individuals to improve their ability to chew and swallow safely. Techniques may include:

 

  • Oral Motor Exercises: Strengthening the muscles involved in chewing and swallowing through specific exercises.

Why Do Some Kids Need Speech-Language Therapy?

Children may need speech therapy for different reasons. One reason is difficulty pronouncing sounds or words. Speech therapy can help them improve their communication skills. Another reason is trouble understanding and using language, like following directions or expressing thoughts. Speech therapy can provide strategies to improve language skills. Some children struggle with fluency, which is speaking smoothly without interruptions. Speech therapy can teach techniques to reduce stuttering and improve fluency. Overall, speech therapy helps children with communication difficulties gain confidence and succeed in school and social situations.

Speech Disorders

Let’s go into detail about these speech disorders that may affect the way a child communicates. Speech disorders encompass a range of challenges that can affect an individual’s ability to communicate effectively. These disorders can manifest as articulation, fluency, or voice issues. Let’s take a closer look at each of these speech disorders and their impact on communication.

Articulation Disorder

Articulation disorder primarily affects the pronunciation of sounds or words. Individuals with this disorder may struggle to produce certain sounds accurately, resulting in difficulties being understood by others. For example, they may substitute one sound for another (saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit”) or omit certain sounds altogether (saying “tat” instead of “cat”). Articulation disorders can be caused by various factors such as physical abnormalities, hearing loss, or developmental delays.

Fluency Disorder

Fluency disorder involves disruptions in the flow of speech, commonly known as stuttering. People with this disorder may experience repetitions (repeating sounds or syllables), prolongations (prolonging sounds), or blocks (inability to produce any sound). Stuttering can significantly impact an individual’s confidence and social interactions. It is important to note that occasional disfluencies are common in everyday speech, but when they become frequent and interfere with communication, it may indicate a fluency disorder.

Voice Disorder

Voice disorders refer to difficulties related to pitch, volume, or quality of the voice. These disorders can result in hoarseness, breathiness, strain while speaking, or even complete loss of voice. Voice disorders can be caused by various factors such as vocal cord nodules or polyps, vocal misuse or abuse (e.g., excessive yelling), neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, or even psychological factors like anxiety or stress.

 

Understanding different types of speech disorders is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment planning by speech-language pathologists (SLPs). SLPs play a vital role in helping individuals overcome these challenges and improve their communication skills. They employ various techniques and interventions tailored to the specific needs of each individual.

 

Speech therapy sessions may include:

 

  • Articulation exercises: SLPs work with individuals to practice and refine their ability to produce sounds correctly.
  • Fluency-enhancing strategies: Techniques such as slow and deliberate speech, breathing exercises, or using pauses can help individuals manage stuttering.
  • Voice therapy: SLPs guide individuals in developing healthy vocal habits, improving breath support, and reducing strain on the vocal cords.

Who Gives Speech-Language Therapy?

Speech-language therapy is provided by professionals called speech-language pathologists, or SLPs. They help people of all ages with speech, language, and swallowing difficulties. SLPs work in schools, hospitals, clinics, and private practice. Their goal is to improve communication and quality of life for their clients.

SLPs: Roles and Importance

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are professionals who play a vital role in providing speech therapy. Their expertise lies in assessing, diagnosing, and treating communication disorders with the help of doctors for speech therapy. SLPs provide speech and language therapy services to individuals of all ages in various settings to improve their communication skills.

Kid Doctor

Diagnosing Communication Disorders

Based on their assessments, SLPs are able to diagnose different types of communication disorders. This includes conditions such as articulation disorders (difficulty pronouncing sounds), language disorders (trouble understanding or using words), fluency disorders (stuttering), voice disorders (abnormalities in pitch or quality), and more. By accurately diagnosing these disorders, SLPs can tailor treatment plans to meet each individual’s unique needs.

Assessing Communication Disorders

One of the key responsibilities of an SLP is to assess communication disorders. They use specialized tools and techniques to evaluate a person’s speech, language, and overall communication abilities. Through comprehensive assessments, SLPs can identify specific areas of difficulty and determine the most effective treatment approach.

Treating Communication Disorders

Once a diagnosis has been made, SLPs develop personalized treatment plans for their clients. These plans often include a combination of therapeutic exercises, strategies, and interventions aimed at improving speech and language skills. SLPs provide speech and language therapy services, working closely with individuals to target specific goals such as improving articulation, enhancing vocabulary development, enhancing social communication skills, or managing fluency difficulties.

Working Across Different Settings

SLPs have the flexibility to work in various settings depending on the needs of their clients. They may provide services in schools where they collaborate with teachers and other professionals to support students with speech or language impairments. In healthcare settings like hospitals or rehabilitation centers, they assist individuals recovering from strokes or traumatic brain injuries regain their communication abilities. Some SLPs also work in private practice settings where they offer individualized therapy sessions tailored to each client’s needs.

The Importance of SLPs

The role of SLPs in improving communication skills cannot be overstated. Communication is an essential aspect of our daily lives, impacting our relationships, academic success, and overall well-being. By addressing communication disorders early on, SLPs can help individuals overcome challenges and reach their full potential. Improved communication skills can lead to increased confidence, better academic performance, and enhanced social interactions.

What Conditions Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Treat?

Speech therapy, also known as speech-language pathology (SLP), is a valuable tool for addressing various conditions that affect communication. Whether it’s aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia, stuttering, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or cognitive impairments resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI), speech therapy can make a significant difference in improving individuals’ ability to communicate effectively.

Our speech therapy program caters to a range of conditions related to the brain, muscles, ears, throat, and face. These include the following:

Aphasia: Language Impairment

Aphasia refers to a language impairment that affects a person’s ability to comprehend and express language. It can occur after a stroke or brain injury. Speech therapy techniques are designed to help individuals with aphasia regain their language skills and improve their overall communication abilities. Speech therapy doctors at our outpatient speech therapy clinic work closely with patients to develop strategies for word retrieval, sentence construction, and understanding spoken language.

Dysarthria: Muscle Weakness Affecting Speech

Dysarthria is characterized by muscle weakness or paralysis affecting the muscles involved in speech production. This condition can result in slurred speech, difficulty articulating sounds, and reduced intelligibility. Through targeted exercises and techniques, speech therapists help individuals strengthen their oral muscles and improve their speech clarity. They may also assist in implementing alternative communication methods if necessary.

Apraxia: Motor Planning Difficulties

Apraxia refers to difficulties with motor planning for speech production. Individuals with apraxia struggle to coordinate the precise movements required for clear speech. Speech therapy focuses on helping patients develop accurate motor plans by practicing specific sounds, syllables, and words through repetitive drills and exercises. Therapists provide guidance on articulation techniques and work towards improving overall fluency.

Stuttering/Stammering

Stuttering or stammering is a common communication disorder characterized by disruptions in the flow of speech. Speech therapy offers effective techniques to address this issue and promote fluent speech patterns. Therapists employ strategies such as slow and controlled speech, breathing exercises, and techniques to reduce anxiety. They also work on building confidence and self-esteem in individuals who stutter.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Social Communication Skills

Speech therapy plays a crucial role in helping individuals with autism spectrum disorder improve their social communication skills. Therapists focus on developing pragmatic language abilities, including turn-taking, maintaining eye contact, understanding nonverbal cues, and engaging in meaningful conversations.

Age for Speech Therapy

Kids

Early intervention for children

Early intervention is crucial. Identifying and addressing speech delays in the early stages can significantly improve a child’s communication skills and overall language development.

 

By starting speech therapy at a young age, children have a greater chance of catching up to their peers in terms of speech and language abilities. Therapists use various techniques such as play-based activities, exercises, and interactive games to engage children in the learning process while targeting specific areas of improvement.

Early intervention for children

Speech therapy can also benefit school-age children who may be struggling with reading or writing skills. These difficulties can impact their academic performance and self-confidence. Speech therapists work closely with these children to address underlying issues such as phonological awareness, articulation, and language comprehension.

Through targeted interventions, speech therapy services help improve the child’s ability to articulate sounds correctly, enhance vocabulary and grammar skills, and develop effective communication strategies. Additionally, a speech therapy video can be a useful tool in assisting with these goals. These interventions can be provided in various settings, including a speech therapy hospital. This not only supports academic success but also fosters social interactions among peers.

Maintaining cognitive function in older adults

In older adults, speech therapy plays a vital role in maintaining cognitive function affected by aging processes or neurological conditions such as stroke or dementia. As we age, it is common to experience changes in memory, attention span, and language abilities. Speech therapists work collaboratively with older adults to address these challenges through tailored exercises aimed at improving memory recall, word finding abilities, and overall communication skills.

 

Speech therapy sessions may involve practicing conversation skills, engaging in cognitive-linguistic exercises like puzzles or word games, or utilizing assistive technology devices designed for communication support.

Overall, speech therapy is a valuable resource for individuals of all ages. Whether it’s helping children overcome speech delays, supporting school-age children with reading and writing skills, or maintaining cognitive function in older adults, speech therapy offers targeted interventions to address specific communication needs.

 

By seeking early intervention for children and providing ongoing support throughout an individual’s lifespan, speech therapy can make a significant impact on their overall communication abilities and quality of life.

Speech therapy for children

Targeted Exercises for Communication Skills

Speech therapists provide targeted exercises and interventions to improve communication skills in children. Through various techniques, they address specific areas of difficulty such as articulation, phonology, fluency, voice production, and language comprehension. These exercises are tailored to the individual needs of each child, helping them overcome speech problems and enhance their overall communication abilities.

Diagnosis and Treatment by Language Pathologists

Language pathologists have expertise in assessing and diagnosing language disorders in children. They use standardized tests, observation, interviews with parents or caregivers, and other assessment tools to gather comprehensive information about a child’s speech and language abilities. Based on this evaluation, they develop personalized treatment plans that target the specific areas of need.

speech therapy

Overcoming Speech Problems

Speech therapy can be highly effective in helping children overcome speech problems. By working closely with a speech therapist, children learn strategies to improve their articulation skills and develop clearer speech patterns. Therapists may use visual aids, games, or technology-based tools to engage children during sessions while targeting specific goals.

Enhancing Communication Abilities

Beyond addressing speech difficulties, speech therapy also focuses on enhancing overall communication abilities in children. This includes improving vocabulary development, sentence structure, grammar usage, social communication skills (such as turn-taking during conversations), and pragmatic language skills (understanding non-verbal cues). By targeting these areas comprehensively through therapy sessions, children gain confidence in expressing themselves effectively.

Collaborative Approach

Speech therapists often work collaboratively with parents or caregivers to ensure consistent progress outside of therapy sessions. They provide guidance, resources, and strategies that can be practiced at home or integrated into daily routines. This collaborative approach helps reinforce the skills learned during therapy and facilitates generalization of those skills in various environments.

The Benefits of Early Intervention

Early intervention is crucial. Identifying and addressing these challenges at an early age can significantly improve outcomes. Speech therapy for children provides them with the necessary tools to overcome communication difficulties, build strong foundations for academic success, and develop healthy social relationships.

Activities in Speech Therapy

Kids Language

Articulation Exercises for Improved Pronunciation

Speech therapy involves various activities aimed at improving speech and language skills in children. One of the key components of speech therapy is articulation exercises. These exercises focus on improving pronunciation and clarity of speech sounds.

During articulation exercises, a speech therapist may work with a child to help them produce specific sounds correctly. This can include practicing tongue placement, lip movement, and airflow control to achieve accurate articulation. By targeting individual sounds or sound patterns, these exercises help children develop clearer speech and enhance their overall communication abilities.

Language-Based Activities for Vocabulary, Grammar, and Comprehension

Language-based activities play a vital role in speech therapy as they target the development of vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills. Through engaging activities such as storytelling, reading aloud, and word games, children can expand their vocabulary and improve their understanding of language structure.

 

In these activities, a speech therapist may introduce new words or concepts to the child while encouraging them to use proper grammar in their responses. By providing opportunities for practice and reinforcement, language-based activities facilitate the growth of expressive and receptive language skills.

Oral Motor Exercises for Strengthening Speech Muscles

Another aspect of speech therapy involves oral motor exercises that focus on strengthening the muscles used for speech production. These exercises aim to improve coordination and control over the lips, tongue, jaw, and facial muscles involved in speaking.

 

Oral motor exercises can include tasks like blowing bubbles or using straws to strengthen lip muscles or practicing tongue movements through various tongue twisters. By enhancing muscle tone and flexibility in these areas, children can develop better articulation skills and improve overall speech clarity.

Communication Games and Role-Playing for Social Interaction Abilities

Speech therapy often incorporates communication games and role-playing activities to enhance social interaction abilities in children. These interactive sessions provide opportunities for practicing turn-taking, initiating conversations, maintaining eye contact, and understanding non-verbal cues.

 

Through games like “Simon Says” or role-playing scenarios, speech therapists can help children develop effective communication skills in different social contexts. These activities promote active listening, empathy, and the ability to interpret social cues, ultimately fostering more confident and successful interactions with peers and adults.

Book an appointment today to provide treatment for your child immediately

Speech therapy is a crucial intervention for individuals with speech disorders. It involves the expertise of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) who play a vital role in diagnosing and treating various conditions that affect communication skills. Through a range of activities and techniques, SLPs help children and adults improve their speech production, language comprehension, and overall communication abilities.

 

Take action today by reaching out to a reputable speech therapy provider like Rehabmates which also provides physical therapy, to schedule an evaluation or learn more about the available services. Remember that effective communication is essential for personal growth, educational success, and social connections. Don’t hesitate to invest in your or your loved one’s well-being by exploring the benefits of speech therapy.

Our Location

Visit our clinic on South Academy St. in Ahoskie, North Carolina. Our staff will welcome you with open arms in the first step of your journey to relief and wellness.

Service Hours

We are open from 8am in the morning to 5pm in the afternoon from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, we close at noon time, 12pm, instead. We are unfortunately closed on the weekends.

About Us

RehabMates is a dedicated physical rehabilitation center offering comprehensive care with a specialized focus on pediatric populations and Lymphedema conditions across all age groups.

Meet Our Staff of Our Physical Therapy Clinic

Meet the dedicated expert PT who form the heart of Rehabmates. Our certified pediatric therapists bring a wealth of expertise and a passion for healing to every session. With specialized training and a commitment to ongoing education, our team ensures that your child receives the highest standard of care.

Adrian Mosqueda, PT, CKTP, CLT

Lead Physical Therapist Specialist

Casey Hoggard, PTA

Pediatric Homehealth Specialist

Robin Winslow, PTA, CLT

Physical Therapist Assistant

Julia Mangum, SLP

Speech Therapist

Our Client Says

At our physical therapy clinic, we take great pride in the good work we do and the positive outcomes we achieve for our patients. We have numerous success stories that highlight the effectiveness of our treatments.

Karen TeranKaren Teran
21:06 24 Oct 23
Very nice man ,very knowledgeable
Ellen HarrisEllen Harris
15:02 22 Sep 23
They did an awesome job and they are very kind and friendly and patience.
Angela RoweAngela Rowe
00:09 14 Sep 23
The Staff members at RehabMates are very professional and are truly concerned about the wellbeing of their patients. Adrian is also so patient. I recommend this facility without hesitation.
Juaniqa MoodyJuaniqa Moody
17:16 13 Sep 23
The physical therapy has helped my daughter tremendously! She has come a long ways! The equipment is perfect for my daughter to work with, let alone other children as well! Physical therapist knows exactly how to work with my daughter!
Regina DavisRegina Davis
16:33 13 Sep 23
I AM VERY PLEASE WITH THE SERVICES THAT I RECEIVE FROM REHAB MATES ,THEY HAVE A VERY CLEAN ENVIRONMENT, ,ALSO VERY PROMT AND COURTESY, TREAMENT..
Ros SessRos Sess
23:44 13 Dec 22
Adrian tries to help in any way he can. My mother attends PT here, they've even made it affordable for us to pay out of pocket for 2 sessions weekly. My mother says Casey takes time to really work on her problem areas ans listening attentively. Thanks for all you guys do for my mother.
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We are In-Network with Most Insurance Plans

Insurance plans vary widely in terms of coverage and benefits. Each plan may have different rules and requirements. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the details of your specific plan to ensure you receive the maximum benefits available.

When seeking treatment at a physical therapy clinic, it’s crucial to understand which insurance plans are accepted. Before your first visit, make sure you have your insurance card handy. This small piece of plastic holds valuable information about your coverage and can help streamline the billing process.

Don’t see your plan listed? This is not a complete list and plans are constantly changing. Please contact us. We make every effort to verify your insurance benefits before your first visit with us.