Brighton Center’s Speech Therapists (STs) or speech and language pathologists (SLPs) will work with your child on receptive language (how children process and understand information) and expressive language (how children combine words into phrases and sentences to outwardly communicate). Our San Antonio speech therapy team works with children on verbal and non-verbal language development as well as feeding and swallowing disorders. Pediatric speech therapy begins with an evaluation to determine areas of need and/or concerns. This evaluation is performed through conversation with the family as well as by examination and observation of how your child understands and uses different words, their pronunciation of speech sounds, physical ability to produce speech, voice quality, etc.

Because children learn through play, interventions are embedded within play activities to optimize motivation, meaningful participation and joy. Specifically, pediatric speech pathologists may consider and propose the use of assistive devices and/or toy and equipment adaptations/modifications. These can optimize the child’s movement and ability to participate in desired play or other desired activities.

Once a plan of care is established to include target outcomes as well as frequency of visits, pediatric speech therapy may take place in a variety of settings including at home, at child care centers, and in the community within the context of every day routines and using toys and other supports typically found within those settings. Because children learn through play, interventions are embedded within play activities to optimize motivation, meaningful participation and joy. Speech therapists may consider and propose the use of assistive devices and/or toy and equipment adaptations/modifications. These can optimize the child’s movement and ability to participate in desired play or other desired activities.

Of utmost importance is the collaborative relationship between the speech therapist and parent(s)/caregiver(s) to facilitate child- and family-centered care. Speech therapists and parents typically schedule visits for 45 minutes to 1 hour. During that time, speech therapy activities are planned jointly based on parent-identified needs/priorities and target outcomes. Children practice activities within usual routines, while the pediatric speech therapist provides instruction and modeling of activities. Our San Antonio speech therapy team also facilitates parent(s)/caregiver(s) practice of the same activities with discussion and feedback with parent(s)/caregiver(s) throughout the visit. Equipping children through use of play and participation in daily routines that addresses areas of need, and empowering parent(s)/caregiver(s) with knowledge and skills to carry over strategies within daily routines, is essential.