If you are concerned that your child isn’t speaking as much as milestones, norms or other kids on the playground, they might have an expressive language delay (and be a late talker). I can help support you and your child through play based language intervention and weekly parent coaching to increase their language and hopefully decrease their frustration.

Gestalt Language Processors learn language differently (through delayed echolalia). If they are treated using “traditional speech therapy” they can often become “stuck” at single words. If you believe that your child is a Gestalt Language Processor I would love to talk!

Signs of a Gestalt Language Processor:

• Repeats scripts from favorite tv shows over and over and over

• Rich intonation

• Unintelligible long strings of sounds/language

• Possible “stuck” on single words

Gestalt Language Processors are typically Autistic children, though not always.

AAC means all of the ways that someone communicates besides talking. People of all ages can use AAC if they have trouble with speech or language skills. Augmentative means to add to someone’s speech. Alternative means to be used instead of speech. Some people use AAC throughout their life. Others may use AAC only for a short time.

Many parents worry “If I start AAC my child will be less motivated to communicate with “mouth words”. Fortunately there has been significant research that actually shows the use of AAC can INCREASE a child’s language skills and is often a bridge to spoken words.

AAC, just like all technology, is always changing and improving. I have experience with many of the most well known forms of AAC but if you have a specific AAC app or system that I am not familiar with I will clear my weekend to learn how to best help your child with their current system.

The most important part of supporting a person with AAC is the willingness to learn, try new things and be open to the possibilities. I do not follow the archaic belief that AAC is a “last resort”, but rather I support it from day one while we continue to work on spoken language.

Neurodiversity simply refers to the reality that a diversity of human brains and minds exist and are all a valid way to experience the world. Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference, and Autistic brains do not develop along the “expected” trajectory. The neurodiversity movement isn’t designed to gloss over the challenges of being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world, but instead to bring awareness that Autism is not a disease to be “cured” (but does often require medical, social, sensory, and communication support).

Improving the quality of life of autistic children and their parents should be the goal of speech therapy in regards to autism. It’s not about trying to get your child to look like a neurotypical child when they were uniquely made exactly how they are.

If your child has difficulty self advocating, expressing wants, needs and ideas then that will be the focus of treatment. Therapy should be strength, interest and trust based if you want to provide respectful parenting and therapy.

In addition, many challenges would be lessened if appropriate accommodations were put in place with the willingness to see things from your child’s perspective. I support the use of AAC, speech, spelling, pointing, looking and reaching all as valid communication.

Understanding the research behind language development is also essential to best support your child with Autism. Have you heard of “Gestalt Language Processing” or “Natural Language Acquisition”? It is how many autistic children learn language (though are often discouraged due to some people calling echolalia “silly talk”). It’s essentially learning language in chunks, then with support breaking the chunks down into individual words (which is in contrast to how “typically” language is learned from sound to word to phrase). Working to understand what type of language processor your child is essential for progress.

I have worked with many autistic children and truly love the work. I would love to be a part of your story as well.

I work with children with Rett Syndrome, Down Syndrome and a variety of other syndromes and rare genetic conditions which often result in difficulty communicating.

I enjoy being part of the treatment team and working directly with families and other professionals to help give your child the best care possible. I am am AAC focused therapist and love helping you give your child a voice.

I am currently being trained in eye-gaze and switch access communication for children with reduced motor abilities.

This is how a child says sounds and words. Maybe you or other people have difficulty understanding the sounds your child is saying. This could be an articulation delay (motor), phonological delay (linguistic), apraxia (planning) to name a few. You might notice your child says “tup” instead of “cup”, or they may say “poon” instead of “spoon”. There are many different types of speech sound errors a child might make but focused practice on the most beneficial sounds in the correct order of treatment is essential for fast progress.

Expressive language refers to how your child uses words, symbols, facial expressions or gestures to express themselves.

Receptive language refers to how your child understands language.

I offer one time coaching sessions or continued coaching for parents for the following situations:

-You don’t want to start therapy yet, but want home practice ideas, education and support

-Your child receives therapy at school or a clinic and you aren’t receiving any training or ideas to increase the speed of results

-Your child was just diagnosed with Autism and you don’t know where to start or what to look for in therapy. You believe in respectful parenting and want to learn how to parent your autistic child in a manner that matches your beliefs (but is still backed by research).

-You are considering homeschooling your child with difficulties in the area or speech/language or they have a diagnosis. You need help crafting your homeschool to meet the needs of your child based on strengths and weaknesses.

Hopefully these give you an idea of what might be discussed during a parent coaching session. I’d love to connect.