Opening and Reinforcing Communication Channels

The primary goal of speech therapy is to improve overall communication and ensure that your child can be understood in any environment. The general benefits of speech and language pathology include*:

• Improving coordination of speech muscles through strengthening exercises, such as pushing the tongue against a tongue depressor, and training exercises involving sound repetition.
• Improving communication between the brain and the body through visual and auditory aids such as mirrors and video recorders.
• Improving fluency through breathing exercises.

Results of speech therapy vary from student to student, and it’s important to understand that the severity of individual disabilities affects outcomes. Regardless of the severity, however, in virtually 100% of cases, SLP dramatically improves an individual’s ability to better articulate and communicate needs and emotions over time. Port View Preparatory® urges parents to also be proactive in their child’s speech and language progress by continuing to help with therapy at home.

There is nothing more exhilarating than seeing your child beam with pride when capable of expressing his or her thoughts, ideas, and feelings. Additional outcomes of effective SLP offered at Port View Preparatory® include*:

• More fluid speech and clarity
• Enhanced vocal quality
• Improved capacity to solve problems independently
• Improved performance in school
• Development of practical social skills
• Better quality of life
• Increased self-esteem
• Decreases in maladaptive/challenging behaviors

Your child’s ability to express themselves is critical to developing a greater sense of independence and minimizes their reliance on others to be their voice consistently. Port View Preparatory® uses both the “pull out” and “push in” models in SLP, depending on each student’s program and areas of need. Pull-out treatment targets skills requiring repetitive trials and is also used to create structured opportunities; there are fewer distractions with this form of treatment. Push-in or classroom-based services typically result in additional time for students to spend with classmates and afford fewer interruptions to class schedules.

Port View Preparatory® SLP also specializes in treating apraxia and oral motor challenges. This includes impaired oral movements (oral apraxia), difficulty smiling or puckering, delayed fine and gross motor skills, and feeding difficulties that may include choking. Another unique area of specialization at Port View Preparatory® is augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for non-verbal students, meaning those who demonstrate extreme difficulty in communicating verbally. Our SLP and SLPAs are trained interventionists in this complex area of speech and language pathology.

*Source: Bravekids.org