SERVICES

An initial assessment of a child’s speech, language, fluency, voice quality, and social skills are provided. It includes parent interview, one formal test and informal language screening. A consultation session also serves as a starting point in determining if a comprehensive evaluation is required.

Providing comprehensive evaluation in speech and language is a complex process which includes standardized and non-standardized measures, describing and interpreting an individual client's communication ability. Comprehensive evaluation assesses all areas of the suspected disability.

The evaluation process begins with a parent interview, which includes the gathering of a child’s developmental, medical, and educational history. Evaluations may also include a thorough review of prior testing and reports from the child’s schools or other professionals. Following the administration and interpretation of all testing data, results are reviewed in detail with the child’s parents.

A successful evaluation identifies a child’s specific strengths and weaknesses resulting in the development of an organized plan of treatment. Parent communication is an integral part of this process. It often involves contact with other professionals working as part of an interdisciplinary team to best serve the needs of the client and address educational and behavioral concerns. Appropriate referrals for further testing are also included.

Individualized treatment plans focus on providing a variety of age-appropriate activities to target goals that have been identified during the evaluation process. Evidenced-based methods, coupled with JoAnn’s years of experience, form the basis of the therapeutic intervention plan.

Speech disorders occur when a person has difficulty producing sounds correctly or fluently or have problems with voice and resonance. Language disorders occur when a person has difficulty understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings (expressive language).

Language disorders may involve the form (phonology, morphology, syntax), content (semantics), and/or use of (pragmatic) language in functional and socially appropriate ways.

JoAnn specializes in the treatment of the following speech and language delays/disorders:

• Speech Sound/Articulation

• Phonological Processes

• Childhood Apraxia of Speech

• Childhood Fluency

• Feeding Difficulties

• Oral Motor Issues

• Late Talkers

• Receptive Language

• Expressive Language

• Mixed Receptive and Expressive Language

• Auditory Processing

• Pragmatic/Social Language

• Phonological Awareness/Pre-literacy