Speech Therapy

We believe that every first word, shared smile, and speech milestone is worth celebrating!

Whether a toddler is blowing bubbles to say their first B sound or a teenager is navigating the complex social code of high school, our Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) are here to guide them every step of the way.

Beyond the Table: Active, Connected Therapy

Unlike many companies, at The CTLC, you won’t find our SLPs tucked away in a quiet room sitting at a table, because we know that the brain’s language centers are intimately wired and connected to the vestibular system (movement) and sensory systems.

True communication and articulation skills thrive when the whole body is engaged. Instead of rigid table work, we utilize a naturalistic, sensory-rich environment to mirror the real world and to stimulate spontaneous speech and language while they are playing, navigating social spaces, and exploring!

Sensory-Ready Speech

Our SLPs work hand-in-hand with our Occupational Therapy team to bridge the gap between physical regulation and verbal expression, because we know that when a child’s nervous system feels regulated and safe, their communication flourishes.

By using sensory integration equipment, techniques, and strategies, we ensure the brain is awake and ready to process language. For a younger child, this might mean blowing bubbles to wake up the mouth muscles, using a swing to spark spontaneous speech and imaginative play and for an older student, it may mean using sensory strategies to stay calm and focused during difficult social interactions with peers.

Total Communication: Every Voice Heard

Whether your child uses verbal speech, signs, pictures, or high-tech eye gaze devices, their voice deserves to be heard. Our team doesn’t just teach talking — we build pathways for connection.

We meet your child exactly where they are, ensuring they have the tools to express their thoughts, their needs, and their unique personalities.

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Speech & Language Therapy

  • Limited Vocabulary: By 18 months, your child isn’t using at least 10-20 words, or by age 2, they aren’t beginning to put two words together.
  • Difficulty with Imitation: Your child doesn’t copy sounds or gestures (like waving), or simple words during play.
  • Heavy Reliance on Gestures: They primarily point or lead up by the hand to communicate needs rather than attempting to use sounds or words.
  • Frustration During Transitions or Play: Frequent meltdowns when moving from one activity to the next, often because they cannot express their needs or understand what is coming next.
  • Limited Play Skills and Imaginative Play: They struggle to engage in true make-believe play or don’t seem to understand the ‘back-and-forth’ nature of the interaction.
  • Positional Concepts: They have difficulty understanding prepositions like on, under, over, or around.
  • Open Mouth Posture, Tongue Thrust, or Drooling
  • Articulation Struggles: It is difficult for unfamiliar listeners (people outside the family) to understand what your child is saying by age 3 or 4.
  • “Tip of the Tongue” Moments: Your child frequently struggles to find the right word or uses vague words like thing or stuff versus the actual names of the objects.
  • Difficulty Following Directions: They seem to tune out or get lost when given 2-3 step instructions (e.g., “Put your shoes away, get your bag, and meet me at the door.”).
  • Grammar and Syntax: Your child has difficulty organizing words into proper sentences or using the correct rules of speech.
  • Fluency & Stuttering: Your child’s speech is not smooth and they may use repetitions of sounds when saying words.
  • Difficulty Reading the Room or Social Isolation: They have difficulty interpreting verbal and non- verbal cues like facial expressions and body language, which leads to trouble making or keeping friends because they struggle to join a group, and initiate and maintain conversations.
  • Reading and Writing Challenges: They have difficulty rhyming, identifying sounds in words, putting their thoughts onto paper in a logical order, or with reading comprehension.
  • Vocal Control: They have trouble using an appropriate pitch or use a “flat” tone of voice that doesn’t match the emotion of the situation.
  • Abstract Concepts of Time: They struggle to grasp the flow of the day, hours, seasons, or the difference between day and night.
  • Missing the Nuance: Your teen takes everything literally and struggles to understand sarcasm, idioms (e.g. “piece of cake”), or reading between the lines.
  • Poor Narrative Skills: They have trouble retelling a story or explaining their day in a way that makes sense to the listener.
  • Executive Function Gaps: They struggle to organize their thoughts for an essay or have difficulty planning out a multi-step school project.
  • Social Anxiety in Groups: They shut down or seem overwhelmed in loud, busy social environments (where the sensory system and language processing must work together).
  • Self-Advocacy Struggles: They have difficulty expressing their own needs to teachers or peers, often appearing passive or overly frustrated when misunderstood.
  • Listening and Learning: Your teen struggles to hear the distinct difference between similar sounds, requires extra time to process questions, struggles to recall what a teacher says, or has difficulty tuning out background noise to focus on a teacher’s voice.