Speech Therapy by Wendy
Wendy Connolly M.S. CCC-SLP/L
Services
Developmental Screenings
During the infant, toddler and preschool years, a child’s brain grows at a very fast rate. Providing intervention during the early stages of development allows Wendy to utilize the brain’s immature state, while it is more capable of learning and changing. Although many parents use the “wait and see” approach, by the time the child reaches age 3 it’s then up to the school district to determine if they qualify for (free) help. Please keep in mind that each school district creates their own criteria when considering the qualifications for special education services, including speech therapy.
Screenings may help determine:
Where, when, how and why your child is struggling to communicate.
Recommendations to help your child communicate better at home.
If an evaluation is needed.
What options you have for getting a speech and language evaluation.
How to get help through the Early Intervention (EI) program.
How to navigate the public or private school system, including IEPs and ISPs.
If you are concerned with your child’s communication skills, a speech and language screening may help. Developmental screenings are the first step in the identification process, and may be a more affordable and faster option for your family to get answers. Please note that any concerns you have about your child’s development should also be discussed with your pediatrician.
Evaluations
Speech and language evaluations are used to find out more specific information about your child’s communication needs. They may include testing in any of the following areas of communication:
Articulation (how speech sounds are produced)
Receptive and Expressive Language skills (how language is being understood and used, and where a breakdown might be occurring)
Oral motor skills (appearance and use of the oral structures used for speech production, including the lips, tongue, teeth and cheeks)
Fluency or Stuttering (hesitations, repetitions or other disfluencies in speech production)
Voice (vocal quality, including appropriate volume and pitch)
The evaluation process includes using specific standardized assessment tools to determine how your child’s communication skills compare with other children their age. The total evaluation time will vary, depending on the individual needs of the child. You will receive a written speech and language report that includes scores from the testing, and an explanation of the findings.
Psycho-educational evaluations, including IQ testing from nationally certified school psychologist Aran Connolly, available upon request.
Speech and Language Therapy & Teletherapy
Individually tailored one-on-one therapy for impairments including, but not limited to:
Articulation Disorders
Phonological Disorders
Developmental Delays
Early Language Delays
Auditory Processing Disorders
Language-based Learning Disabilities
Receptive Language Disorders
Expressive Language Disorders
Pragmatic and Social Language Disorders
Oral Motor Delays
Tongue Thrusting and Lisping
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders
Executive Function Disorder
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Autism
Down Syndrome
Cerebral Palsy
Many of Wendy’s clients receive special education services with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) or Individual Service Plans (ISP) through their school district or private school. However, they also benefit from supplemental one-on-one therapy to practice carryover skills outside of school, in order to reach their full potential.
Wendy also helps clients who have previously been discharged from services, but may require a “refresher” of their goals due to a relapse in skills. Please reach out to Wendy with any specific questions related to pricing or availability for your child's individually tailored treatment plan.
Although Wendy's most effective service delivery model for treatment of communication disorders involves in-person sessions, she realizes that this isn't an option for everyone. Virtual teletherapy sessions are offered by Wendy, for clients who have access to any device with uninterrupted internet. Wendy is able to utilize almost any "video-conferencing" app that fits your family's specific needs. Contact Wendy to discuss any questions about the teletherapy process, and to help determine the most efficient treatment for you or your child.
Pre-K and Kindergarten Skills Class
Children with speech, language and other developmental delays are at a higher risk for learning problems in school. Early intervention is the key to long-term success, and Wendy’s skills classes help prepare your child before they enter kindergarten.
This option is beneficial for any child who does not attend preschool, or those who need an extra boost in readiness skills. Classes are designed to fit your child’s specific needs, and are planned around YOUR busy schedule.
Some of the skills that will help prepare your child for kindergarten include:
using whole-body listening to help prepare for classroom learning
maintaining eye contact with a speaker and/or listener
pre-reading skills
phonemic and phonological awareness (phonics)
identifying where in the word they hear a sound (beginning, middle or end)
manipulating sounds in words
rhyming
letter-sound awareness
decoding sounds in words
blending sounds in words
following complex, multi-step directions
learning basic vocabulary, including the names of colors, shapes, letters and numbers
increasing general knowledge of books, including being able to identify story elements such as characters, settings and plots
answering questions from a story that is read aloud
telling stories in sequential order, with a beginning, middle and end
Small group skills classes available for 2-3 students maximum, at a discounted rate. If your child and a friend or sibling would like to attend a skills class together, please reach out for prices and availability.
English as a Second Language
When a child or adult’s first language is not English, they may require extra help while learning new concepts. They also might struggle with sounds or words that don’t exist in their native language. Some children are labeled “EL”, “ESL” or “ELL” in school, but the help they receive may not be enough. Wendy is able to use her therapeutic skills to help kids and adults who struggle with the English language. Wendy is also able to help clients modify or decrease their accent, if this is something that would interest them.