COMMUNICATION SKILLS

ARTICULATION

Speech sound development begins at a very early age. Sounds are learned as the child listens to the speech in his/her environment.  Speech sounds, also known as phonemes are produced by moving the articulators of the mouth. These include lips, tongue, and teeth.  Some examples of difficulty with speech sound production are:

-sound omissions—(i.e., "ba for "bat" and "poon" for "spoon")

-substitutions—sounds are substituted (i.e., "yemon" for "lemon" and "wabbit" for "rabbit")

-additions—extra sounds are inserted into a word (i.e., "fuly" for "fly")

-distortions—sounds are altered or changed (e.g., a lateral "s")

-syllable-level errors—weak syllables are deleted (i.e., "nana" for "banana")"

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If your child demonstrates similar speech sound characteristics, Skilled SLP can help!  Our skilled speech-language pathologists strive to improve communication skills.  Many children's communication skills are impacted by articulation (speech sound) disorders.  Our focus is providing developmentally- appropriate articulation therapy.  

A speech- language evaluation will be conducted to determine if your child demonstrates developmentally- appropriate articulation skills as compared to their peers. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Language is EVERYWHERE and yes, language begins at birth! 

RECEPTIVE LANGUAGE involves listening and understanding language. EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE involves learning to speak and use language.  PRAGMATIC LANGUAGE involves the social use of language, best known as social skills.  Language skills are the foundation for the development of reading and writing.  Our skilled speech-language pathologists strive to improve communication skills.  Effective communication skills can be impacted by delays in language skills.  

A speech- language evaluation will be conducted to determine if your child demonstrates developmentally- appropriate receptive and expressive language skills as compared to their peers.  

To learn more about signs and symptoms of speech- language delays, click here.  

FLUENCY SKILLS

Fluency refers to continuity, smoothness, rate, and effort in speech production. Stuttering interrupts the flow of speech. 
Types of disfluencies include:
REPETITIONS of sounds, syllables, and monosyllabic words (i.e., “I-I-I-I want some,” “Look at the bu-bu-bu blue one”).  Repetitions are the most common characteristic of stuttering.
PROLONGATIONS of consonants  (i.e., “I want the y.......yellow one”).  
BLOCKS- periods of silence or struggle, unable to initiate sounds (i.e.,"G-------o over there!" "I like p----opcorn.)