The window of opportunity for language development happens between birth and six years of age. This is the most sensitive age for acquiring skills such as distinguishing between the sounds of different languages and grasping syntax or grammar. 

Speech therapy is most beneficial if administered at an early age and reinforced at home by parents. This is critical as there are specific windows of opportunity for the development of language skills. During particular periods in a child’s life, the brain is more active in forming connections to abilities – one of them being language skills. 

Speech therapy can be extremely effective in treating a broad range of speech and language problems. Speech therapy benefits children with speech and language difficulties emotionally, academically and socially. They become more confident in communicating with others, enabling them to succeed better.

• Speech and Language Therapy focuses on the assessment and management of all aspects of communication including speech, written expression, reading, signs, and gestures.
• Speech and Language Therapy focuses on enabling children to realize their maximum communicative abilities through individualized assessment and intervention programs.
• Intervention targets are cleverly disguised through play activities that tap into the child’s motivations to strengthen his or her areas of difficulties.

A Speech Therapy assessment covers all areas of a child’s speech, language, and communication skills. Assessments may be formal or informal, depending on each child’s needs and abilities. Sometimes, informal assessments are sufficient for our therapists to develop an intervention plan.

There are times when our therapists may conduct formal checks using standardized tests. These help to determine the severity of speech or language problems and allows our Speech therapists to make an accurate diagnosis and intervention plan.

A typical assessment session generally takes about an hour to complete. It may include administering a standardized test, clinical observation during free/structured play, and an interview or questionnaire with the parent or caregiver.

The three main areas to be assessed are speech, language (comprehension and expression), and communication.

Assessment findings will help us identify the problem, if one is present, and determine the child’s current developmental age of function and the severity and nature of the deficit.

Appropriate recommendations can then be made about the suitability of therapy, the type of therapy approaches, specific therapy goals, and frequency and length of treatment.

Telehealth or Virtual Speech Therapy services is also available