Improving Language & Communication Skills

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Speech Therapy

If you think your child could benefit from pediatric speech therapy, turn to the team at Thera-Play Pediatrics. With clinics in Springdale and Fort Smith, AR, our speech-language pathologists work with children of all ages to help them reach their full developmental potential and full range of communication abilities.

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Pediatric Speech Therapy in Springdale & Harrison, AR

Speech Therapy Addresses…

Speech therapy may be beneficial if your child displays any of the following:

  • Difficulty following directions
  • Difficulty producing speech sounds
  • Ignores or does not respond to his or her name
  • Difficulty understanding abstract language concepts or interpreting nonverbal messages (e.g. facial expressions)
  • Difficulty with feeding or swallowing

At our therapy center, we will evaluate your child to determine the particular type of therapy needed and will work with you and your family to develop a plan to improve your child’s speech and language function.

Areas of Focus

Our speech-language pathologists support children in working on and improving the following:

  • Production of sounds
  • Communication skill development
  • Increasing the range of sounds
  • Language acquisition & articulation
  • Vocabulary
  • Feeding skills
  • Oral-motor function
  • Dyslexia
  • Ability to swallow
  • Ability to socialize appropriately

Central Speech Therapy Methods

Every patient is different, but below are our 6 main Speech Therapy Methods. We cater to each patient’s specific needs and are able to administer other methods as well.

The Picture Exchange Communication System

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) was developed in 1985 as a unique augmentative/alternative training package that teaches children and adults with autism and other communication deficits to initiate communication.

First used at the Delaware Autistic Program, PECS has received worldwide recognition for focusing on the initiation component of communication. PECS does not require complex or expensive materials. It was created with educators, resident care providers, and families in mind and is readily used in a variety of settings.

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Kaufman Method for Childhood Apraxia

The Kaufman Method is a treatment method for childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), other speech-sound disorders, and expressive language development. The method helps children to become more effective vocal communicators by focusing on their speech-motor skills, shaping the consonants, vowels, and syllable shapes/gestures from what they are capable of producing to achieve higher levels of speech-motor coordination.

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SOS Approach to Feeding

The SOS Approach focuses on increasing a child’s comfort level by exploring and learning about the different properties of food, This allows a child to interact with food in a playful, non-stressful way, beginning with the ability to tolerate the food in the room and in front of him/her; then moving on to touching, kissing, and eventually tasting and eating foods.

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VitalStim Therapy

VitalStim is the only Neuromuscular Electric Stimulation procedure approved by the FDA for use on the anterior neck. VitalStim is proven effective to strengthen and coordinate the small muscles of the tongue and throat to increase an individual’s ability to swallow. VitalStim is approved for infants, children, and adults and has research showing powerful outcomes.

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Feeding Therapy

Feeding therapy helps infants and children with a wide array of feeding difficulties, which may include one or more of the following:

  • Reduced or limited intake
  • Food refusal
  • Food selectivity by type and/or texture
  • Dysphagia (swallowing difficulty)
  • Oral-motor deficits
  • Delayed feeding development
  • Food or swallowing phobias
  • Mealtime tantrums

Beckman Oral Motor

“Oral motor” has been defined in a variety of ways. Many of the strategies of the 1950s and ’60s were primarily stimulation techniques, such as brushing (pressure massage), icing (thermal stimulation), quick stretch (tapping), and vibration (manual and mechanical).

These strategies have been used by physical and occupational therapists to prepare a muscle area for movement. These strategies cannot change the range of movement of a muscle or the strength of a muscle without additional muscle movement. Other oral motor techniques require the individual’s cognitive cooperation to follow a command in order to complete a movement.

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Discover Our Other Services

Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Speech Therapy in Springdale & Harrison, AR
For more information about our speech therapy services, contact us today!

Springdale Clinic

2112 W Huntsville Ave Suite C
Springdale, AR 72762

Get Directions

Phone: 479-856-6400
Fax: 479-856-6623

Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Fort Smith Clinic

2220 South Waldron Road
Fort Smith, AR 72903

Get Directions
Phone: 479-434-2371
Fax: 479-434-2009

Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed