At Boston Ability Center, we believe that each child is capable of amazing things. Learning that your child has a diagnosis, or even a minor speech issue, that warrants the evaluation and assistance of a speech therapist can be confusing and worrisome. You may wonder whether your child will learn to speak naturally, articulate properly, or have a conversation with their peers.

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Get in touch with us to learn about the benefits of speech therapy for your child and see one of our licensed speech therapists for a specific diagnosis. In the meantime, read through the following information and frequently asked questions to learn how they serve your family and help your child meet their potential!

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Speech-language pathologists combine evidence-based practice and creativity to help children reach functional goals related to:​

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• Expressive language
   

• Receptive language
   

• Pragmatic language/social skills
   

• Articulation and phonology
   

• Play
   

• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
   

• Fluency
   

• Phonological awareness/early literacy skills
   

• Reading comprehension
   

• Aural rehabilitation
   

• Feeding
   

Who might benefit from speech-language therapy at Boston Ability Center? Children with a diagnosis of:

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• Developmental delay
   

• Language delay
   

• Speech sound disorder (apraxia, phonological delay, dysarthria, etc.)
   

• Autism
   

• ADHD/ADD
   

• Hearing loss
   

• Down Syndrome
   

• Cerebral Palsy
   

• Other genetic syndromes
   

• Executive functioning deficits
   

• Voice disorder
   

• Auditory processing disorder
   

• Late talkers
   

• Acquired cognitive deficits/TBI
   

• A social pragmatic communication disorder
   

• Learning disabilities
   

• Tongue Thrust
   

• Feeding disorders
   

Expertise, Training, and Intervention Tools Available via 1:1 therapy, dyads, and small/large groups:​

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• Social Thinking
   

• DIR
   

• ASL proficiency
   

• AAC
   

• SOS Approach to Feeding
   

• Beckman Oral Motor
   

• Hanen – It Takes Two to Talk
   

• PROMPT (PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets)
   

• Story Grammar Marker
   

Frequently Asked Questions About Speech Therapy

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Parents may wonder why their pediatrician is referring them to a speech therapist when their child seems to have mastered the physical act of forming words. Alternately, parents may know that their child has a speech issue such as a severe articulation disorder but have no idea how to handle it at home. Seeing a trained speech therapist can help put your anxieties to rest as we work with you to form a specific, targeted plan for your child that is appropriate for his or her developmental level. Read through our FAQs below to learn more. If you don't see your question here, contact our office to talk to someone about your child's speech issue or your referral.

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Why Does My Child Need Speech Therapy?

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Though the discipline is called "speech" therapy, it encompasses everything involving speech, from the oral motor skills involved in forming phonemes to the vocal tract itself. It can also consider your child's receptive and expressive language skills, which heavily factor into your child's understanding of language. Many children struggling in school and at home can benefit from uncovering hidden problems that they have with language, conversation, and even social communication disorders.

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My Child Doesn't Speak At All. Can You Help them?

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Depending on the cause of your child's lack of speech, it's possible that a speech therapist can help them to communicate better. Your child may need help communicating on a physical level, or they may need help understanding language. There are many reasons why this may be the case, and only a thorough evaluation can begin to discern the cause.

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Won't My Child Grow Out of the Speech Problem?

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Your child may grow out of whatever issue they are experiencing, but this often depends on age, developmental level, and whether your child can understand the issue itself. For example, if your child has an articulation issue below the age of four, it will likely resolve itself (think about how many kids you've heard mis-articulating the "r" sound or lisping their "s" sounds). Most younger kids mispronounce words and letters, mix up their sentences, and more, but this is a part of growing up.

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Other children have physical or cognitive roadblocks that prevent them from speaking clearly or understanding language as they should. It's a speech therapist's job to do a thorough evaluation and discern which children will grow out of issues and which need intervention. If you have questions about your child's specific case, get in touch with us today! 

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The Benefits of Early Speech Therapy

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We've touched on the concept that many kids will "grow out of" a speech issue, but if this is the case, it often means that the problem was one of normal development. Speech therapists are trained to spot speech and language development issues and target issues that will not resolve over time or without intervention. If you have concerns about your child's speech or understanding of language, you must schedule an evaluation for early intervention sooner rather than later. The earlier your child receives speech therapy, the fewer issues they will have later in life.

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Choose Boston Ability Center for Your Child's Speech Therapy Services

We understand that parents are learning alongside their children when it comes to speech and language development issues. When you partner with Boston Ability Center to help your child speak and listen to their fullest potential, we make it a point to listen to and educate parents regarding the child's diagnosis. Get in touch with us today to schedule a thorough evaluation for your child and learn about the life-changing benefits of pediatric speech therapy!

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