Pediatric Speech Therapy
How Speech Therapy Affects Kids
The ability to communicate is necessary to having needs met and developing deep connections with the world around you. Whether through improving articulation, building verbal language skills, or introducing an augmentative or alternative communication form, speech therapy unlocks a child’s ability to connect with caregivers, siblings, playmates, and beyond.
Speech Therapy at Buttonloop
Speech therapy encompasses articulation, expressive language, receptive language, and social pragmatic language skills. We work in a play-based approach, moving a child from where they are, offering scaffolding, and helping them realize their fullest potential.
Our pediatric speech therapists have specialized training in:
-
PROMPT (PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) Therapy
-
Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC)
-
Kaufman Apraxia Therapy
-
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD)
-
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI)
-
SOS Approach to Feeding Therapy
-
Social Thinking
-
Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
-
Lively Letters
-
Executive Function
-
SKILL Narrative
-
Play & Language: The Roots of Literacy
Speech therapy may be beneficial if your child demonstrates any of the following:
Speech understood by others less than 50% of the time by two and understood by others less than 80% of the time by three
Missing consonants from the beginning of words
Shows frustration around communication
Fewer than 50 words or lack of two-word combinations by 18 months of age
Cannot point to body parts or follow simple commands by 15 months of age
Does not respond to his/her name or make eye contact frequently
Does not participate in reciprocal games, such as peek a boo
Has difficulty using toys for their intended purpose, for example, turning a bus upside down and spinning wheels rather than driving it back and forth
How We Help Children with Speech Problems
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) are abnormal movement patterns of the face and mouth. OMDs can be the source of problems, such as drooling beyond two years of age, tongue thrust, or open mouth posture/forward tongue carriage.
Developmental Language Disorder Treatment & Evaluation
Language is broken down into two components, receptive and expressive. Receptive language refers to a child’s understanding of language. It can be observed in your child’s response to questions or ability to complete directions. Expressive language refers to a child’s use of language. It can be seen in the vocabulary, grammar, and length of utterance. Vocabulary weaknesses may be exhibited in receptive and expressive language skills and may be associated with decreased vocabulary or retrieval difficulties.
Childhood Onset Fluency Disorder and Stuttering
Stuttering affects the fluency of speech and may include prolongations, blocks, sound or word repetitions, interjections, or circumlocutions.
Speech Apraxia
Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a motor speech disorder characterized by difficulty in planning and producing the precise articulatory patterns required to form intelligible speech. Our clinicians have participated in a number of trainings specializing in the treatment of CAS. We are also quite fortunate to have a provider listed on Apraxia Kids Speech-Language Pathologist Directory.
Phonological Awareness
Phonological Awareness refers to multi-level skills, including the child’s ability to hear and manipulate the sound structure of a letter or word. These skills are essential to the reading process and may or may not be impacted by articulation or phonological delays.
Speech Articulation Disorder
Articulation refers to sound production or the way that air or voice is moved through a child’s articulators, including the tongue, lips, teeth, and nose.
Speech Therapy for AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication)
Giving Every Child a Voice
Communication is so much more than just spoken words! AAC therapy gives children new ways to express their thoughts, needs, and personalities through tools like picture systems, speech-generating devices, and button switches. Our therapists make AAC fun, meaningful, and personalized so your child has a way to communicate authentically in everyday life.
AAC can feel like a big change at first, but you don’t have to figure it out alone! We partner closely with parents, teachers, and other important adults to make AAC feel natural and successful. Whether you’re just beginning the AAC journey or learning how to make it part of your family’s daily routines, we’ll provide practical, hands-on support every step of the way.
-
AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, which refers to any tool or strategy used to support or substitute speech. AAC allows children to share their thoughts, needs, feelings, and ideas with the world by bridging the gap between what a child wants to say, and their ability to express it through speech.
-
Absolutely! Tailored communication supports can benefit any child, but AAC is especially helpful if:
Your child is not talking
Your child’s verbal speech is limited
Your child is often frustrated due to breakdowns in communication
Your child is not easily understood
Contact us to get your questions answered or schedule an AAC evaluation in Peabody, MA.
-
Buttonloop provides comprehensive AAC evaluations for children of all ages and abilities. Our thorough AAC evaluations typically include the following:
In-depth intake forms
Parent interview
AAC device trial period (typically 30 days)
Comprehensive AAC assessments
Parent education and training
Our AAC specialists work tirelessly with families to find the best AAC device for their child’s communication style and needs— no matter how long it takes! We’ll trial several AAC devices to find the best size, symbols, organization, and voice output for your child.
Parent and caregiver involvement is essential to our AAC evaluation process. We’ll listen to your needs, gain insight into your child's daily life, and give you the training and confidence you need to help your child use their AAC device everywhere they go.
-
Our lead AAC specialist will walk you through the steps for how to get an AAC device funded through insurance! We’ll help you begin your trial application, assist with filling out the required paperwork, and stay in touch with AAC vendors to ensure a smooth evaluation process.
We’ll be there to answer all your questions about getting a high-tech AAC device through your insurance provider!
-
At Buttonloop, our AAC therapy sessions focus on connection, understanding, and authentic communication. That’s why we take a personalized and play-based approach to AAC therapy!
Our experienced AAC specialists incorporate your child’s interests into each session and focus on skills that are important for your family. By weaving AAC naturally into play and daily routines, your child will learn how to use their custom vocabulary in daily life.
AAC sessions may also include some light, on-the-go programming by your therapist to support natural communication opportunities as they arise. We’ll stay flexible and customize your child’s device to help them use the words they want to use in the moment.
-
You may have heard that AAC will prevent a child from learning to speak, or that certain boxes need to be checked before a child is a good candidate. We’re here to clear up those misconceptions and bust the top three myths we often hear about AAC!
1) AAC will stop my child from talking.
Research shows the opposite is true. AAC does not restrict speech development. Many AAC users actually increase their verbal speech with consistent and meaningful AAC use.
2) My child is too young or too old for AAC.
Age alone is never a reason to rule out AAC. It is highly flexible and can be tailored to support communication across any age and a wide range of cognitive, motor, and communication profiles.
3) AAC is only for children who don't speak.
AAC can benefit children who use some speech as well as those who are nonspeaking. When speech is difficult to understand, communication breaks down. AAC gives children another way to get their message across, leading to more successful and positive interactions.
Speech Therapy Testimonial
“Within a matter of a month or two, I saw progress in my son’s speech. Suddenly, I could understand most of what he was telling me. His articulation improvement was even noticed by friends and family. We were elated, and so very relieved, to know that the therapy was not only working, but working incredibly well… and fast!”
— Stephanie M., Melrose, MA
There are a 3 ways to get started with Buttonloop Children’s Therapies.
No matter where you are on your journey, we can help.
If you are ready to get started and book an appointment, please choose:
Option 1
Complete our intake form, and we can move forward with scheduling your initial appointment.
If you are wondering if therapy could be helpful and would like to speak with a clinician, please choose:
Option 2
Book a free 10-minute phone consultation with a clinician.
If you’d like someone from our team to reach out to you directly, please choose:
Option 3
Fill out the contact form, and we will contact you by phone or email.