Services

Pediatric Speech Therapy in Hartland, MI

Speech development in children is a crucial aspect of their overall growth and development. At Leigh Harter Speech Services, we understand the significance of early intervention and specialized care for children facing speech-related challenges. Our pediatric speech therapy services are designed to support children in achieving important speech milestones, addressing common speech disorders, and providing effective treatment approaches.

Speech Development Milestones

Every child progresses at their own pace, but there are key speech development milestones that are generally expected within certain age ranges. Our speech therapists work closely with parents and caregivers to monitor and support a child’s speech development. Here are some important milestones to be aware of:

Babbling (6-8 Months):

Babies start to produce repetitive sounds, like “ba-ba” or “da-da.”

First Words (12 Months):

Typically, children begin to say their first recognizable words.

Vocabulary Growth (18-24 Months):

A child’s vocabulary expands with more words and basic sentences.

Sentence Formation (2-3 Years):

Children start forming longer sentences and communicating more complex ideas.

Pronunciation (3-4 Years):

Clearer articulation and better pronunciation of sounds.

Conversational Skills (5+ Years):

Improved communication skills, including storytelling and holding conversations.

Our therapists tailor therapy programs to ensure each child reaches these milestones, providing the necessary support and guidance along the way. Learn more about communication milestones from American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Common Pediatric Speech Disorders

Speech disorders in children can take various forms, and early identification and intervention are crucial for successful treatment. Some common pediatric speech disorders include:

Articulation Disorders:

Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds or words.

Apraxia:

a phonological disorder causing challenges in planning and executing purposeful speech movements. Treatment includes Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC).

Stuttering:

Repetition or hesitation in speech flow.

Language Disorders:

Challenges in understanding or using language effectively.

Voice Disorders:

Problems with pitch, volume, or quality of speech.

Swallowing and Feeding Disorders:

Problems with sucking, eating from a spoon, chewing, drinking from a cup, or swallowing food or liquid.

At Leigh Harter Speech Services, our experienced pediatric speech therapists are trained to diagnose and treat these disorders, creating customized therapy plans to meet each child’s unique needs.

Treatment Approaches for Children

We understand that every child is unique, and their speech therapy journey should reflect that. Our treatment approaches for children are highly individualized, focusing on their specific strengths and areas of improvement. Some common treatment methods include:

Articulation Therapy:

Targeting specific sound production difficulties.

Feeding Therapy:

Treating feeding disorders via adaptive equipment, postural and positioning techniques, diet modifications, maneuvers and exercises, and oral motor exercises.

Oral & Written Language Therapy:

Enhancing language comprehension and expression using a total communication approach, which can include AAC when needed.

Play-Based Therapy:

Using play to engage and facilitate speech development through focused stimulation, expansions, recasts, and incidental teaching approaches/treatment methods.

Parent/Caregiver Involvement:

Providing strategies for parents to support therapy at home.

Visual and Auditory Aids:

Incorporating visual and auditory cues for improved communication.

Our goal is to create a supportive and nurturing environment where children feel comfortable and motivated to improve their speech skills. We work collaboratively with families to ensure consistent progress and celebrate each milestone achieved.

For more information on our pediatric speech therapy services or to schedule an appointment, please contact us.

Groups

Talking Toddlers Group

Targets skills such as communication through gestures, vocalizations, or verbally, social skills, sharing and turn-taking, attention, pre-Literacy skills, and problem solving.

Preschool Language Group

Identify colors and numbers, Recognize & name basic shapes, Sort items by size, color and shape, Identify letters & sounds, Increase vocabulary, Early literacy skills, Social skills, Pre-writing Skills.

Pediatric Literacy Group

Group goals include phonological awareness skills (letter recognition, rhyming, sound blending, letter identification), increase vocabulary inventory, make connections through reading and interactive activities related to the story (reading comprehension), and enhance social communication with other children through discussion.