We accept CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, United Health Care, Wellpoint and Maryland Physician Care Insurance.
AAC Therapy: Give Your Child the Tools to Express Themselves.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication equips your child with a way to express themselves and connect socially, even if they lack the physical capacity for speech. This can help them lead a more fulfilling life with a sense of independence and belonging.
Serving clients in Prince George's County, MD, Montgomery County, MD, Howard County, MD, Anne Arundel County, MD, Baltimore, MD and more.
Speech Therapy for Ages 2-18
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Children who are nonverbal or unable to speak clearly because of congenital or acquired challenges have difficulties communicating through language. These challenges interfere with their ability to express themselves and be understood. Understandably, you may be worried about your child's ability to live with some level of independence.
We specialize in speech therapy for kids that utilizes augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods or systems. The right treatment can be liberating since it helps your child communicate and get their needs met.
Is Augmentative and Alternative Communication System Therapy Right for Your Child?
Signs of a Speech or Language Disorder Can Be Concerning.
Children typically start saying words
(expressive speech) between 10-14 months. They're also developing hearing and understanding (receptive speech). However, some children are nonverbal or not proficient speakers due to medical conditions associated with speech and language disorders or delay. These can include
autism, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, and traumatic brain injury. Although speech and language disorders affect between 3-16 percent of U.S. children, it's no consolation. It's still frustrating to see your child encounter difficulties communicating at home, school, or in the community.
Consequences Last a Lifetime.
Language and speech impediments can negatively impact your child's academic performance and social life. They are also vulnerable to bullying by their peers. Other potential setbacks include loss of interest in learning, isolation, and mental health problems in adulthood.
Helping Your Child Is Paramount.
You want your child to have the most promising start to life possible, so it can be difficult to watch them struggle with communication. Meeting your child's needs is challenging if they do not speak at all (nonverbal), do not speak much, have intelligible speech, or mostly rely on gestures to communicate.
How AAC Can Help.
It doesn't mean something is wrong with your child if they
miss speech development milestones. However, children diagnosed as nonverbal or with
speech language disorders or delay can benefit from augmentative and alternative communication system therapy. AAC is an alternative method of communication. It involves using systems and devices, such as iPads, tablets, and computers, to give children a voice with speech-language production or comprehension impairments.
Pictures Are Indeed Worth a Thousand Words.
We use an augmentative and alternative communication system therapy called Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). PECS tools and techniques help enhance children's expressive communication. They include nonverbal children or children who have limited verbal abilities due to autism and speech-language disorders, such as apraxia. We can also add AAC systems to your child’s existing speech therapy program as we seek to expand their ability to communicate at home, school, and in the community.
We Equip Your Child to Express Themselves.
As a nationally certified pediatric speech-language pathologist, my mission is to help your child communicate with confidence and reach their full potential. With AAC speech therapy tools and techniques, I can help your child express themselves and be understood.
How AAC Speech Therapy Works?
Step 1. Schedule Initial Consultation
We'll have a brief call to discuss your concerns about your child's communications skills, developmental milestones, red flags, and other areas of assessment.
Step 2. Assessment
We evaluate your child to industry-standard speech and language development benchmarks. Based on the results, we create a step-by-step treatment plan built around your child's needs.
Step 3. Treatment
We implement the treatment plan in series of 30-minute one-on-one in-person or virtual sessions with your child. You'll receive updates after each session with supplemental materials for practice and reinforcement.
Step 4. Results
You'll experience relief and pride of watching your child's ability to communicate grow and as building blocks are mastered throughout the treatment plan.
Are you ready to equip your child with a critical skill for a life of independence?
Get started with a consultation
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Why Choose Us for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Therapy
Built Around Your Child
We implement successive building blocks to help your child master foundational communication skills based upon the initial assessment.
Each week your child builds confidence for interpersonal interactions, more outgoing social engagements, and sustained academic achievement.
Exciting and Fun
Creative teaching techniques combined with patience, understanding, and an authentic rapport with your child create a safe space for overcoming insecurities and learning new skills.
These enjoyable one-on-one sessions transform reluctant attendance into an enthusiastic engagement.
Team Effort
We understand that it takes a village to raise a child. That's why we coordinate our strategy with your school and other providers. We also keep you actively involved with weekly updates and materials for at-home practice and reinforcement.
Start Equipping Your Child to Communicate Today.
Our PECS program gives your child new tools to express themselves and grow academically and socially.
Get started with a no-obligation consultation today.
Don't let a speech challenge impede your child's development any longer.
