Our Services
Our Speech-Language Pathologists provide assessment and intervention services that focus on helping children speak, understand language, and learn to their fullest potential. Empower Speech Therapy focuses on improving children’s communication skills by addressing the following:
Receptive and Expressive Language
Receptive language refers to how your child understands language. Expressive language refers to how your child uses words to express himself/herself.
Articulation
Articulation (pronunciation and talking) is the ability to physically move the tongue, lips, teeth and jaw to produce sequences of speech sounds, which make up words and sentences.
Phonological Awareness
Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the sound structures in spoken language, such as syllables, rhymes, and individual phonemes. It is a critical precursor to reading and spelling, helping children understand how sounds combine to form words. This skill allows them to break down words into smaller parts, blend sounds, and identify sound patterns, which supports literacy development.
Literacy & Vocabulary
Language and literacy development are major domains of early childhood development. They involve development of the skills used to communicate with others through languages (language development), as well as the ability to read and write (literacy development).
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) refers to methods and tools used to support or replace speech for individuals with communication difficulties. AAC includes a range of options, from simple tools like picture boards and gestures to more complex systems like speech-generating devices. It enhances a person's ability to express their needs, thoughts, and emotions when traditional speech is limited or unavailable
Auditory & Language Processing
Children with Auditory Processing Disorder have trouble hearing and interpreting sound, whereas children with Language Processing Disorder have trouble using and understanding language.
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder where children have difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed for speech, despite knowing what they want to say. This condition affects the brain's ability to send correct signals to the muscles involved in speech production, leading to inconsistent sound errors, difficulty with speech rhythm, and speech that may appear effortful. Early intervention with speech therapy is crucial for improving communication skills in children with CAS.
Nervous System Regulation
Nervous system regulation refers to the body’s ability to maintain balance and respond appropriately to stress, emotions, and environmental stimuli through the autonomic nervous system. This system, which includes the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) branches, manages involuntary functions like heart rate, breathing, and digestion. Proper regulation ensures that the body can shift between states of alertness and calmness, promoting overall well-being and resilience to stress.
Social Communication
Social (pragmatic) communication allows an individual to use and understand verbal and non-verbal communication that is appropriate for social interactions. It involves greetings, turn-taking, topic maintenance, and gestures.
Orofacial Myology
Orofacial myology is the study and treatment of muscle function disorders in the face and mouth that affect activities such as chewing, swallowing, and speech. These disorders, known as orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs), often involve improper tongue positioning, tongue ties, mouth breathing, or abnormal oral habits like thumb sucking. Therapy focuses on retraining the muscles to achieve proper function, improving breathing, speech, and overall oral health.
