Chickadee Speech Therapy, LLC
Accepting teletherapy clients
Chickadee Speech Therapy, LLC celebrates children and families from all backgrounds and abilities. We use evidence-based approaches paired with engaging therapy activities tailored to personalities, strengths and interests to make treatment engaging and fun. Caregiver coaching is provided to support empowerment and growth during the therapy process.
Services typically begin with a free 15-minute phone consultation where we address any questions or concerns about your child's speech, language, social, academic or feeding skills. We will determine areas of need and if an evaluation is needed.
A 30-to-90-minute comprehensive evaluation
includes parent questionnaire, formal and informal assessments, written report and a follow-up discussion of findings and treatment recommendations.
Services
Specialties
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Articulation disorders
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Phonological delays and disorders
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Childhood apraxia of speech
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Stuttering & cluttering
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Receptive and expressive language impairments
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Feeding disorders & "picky eaters"
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Early literacy and reading ​
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Developmental delays
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Down syndrome
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Autism
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Gestalt Language Processors (Echolalia)
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Speech Evaluations
& Treatment
At Chickadee Speech Therapy, we begin with an evaluation to assess your child's speech skills. The evaluation is a combination of parent interview, observation, and formal and informal assessments. The results from the evaluation will help us determine the appropriate plan of care. Speech therapy contains a combination of play-based therapy and evidence-based approaches. Caregiver coaching is provided to help facilitate carry over of learned skills.
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Common Signs of a Speech Delay or Disorder
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Not saying p, b, m, h, and w correctly in words most of the time (1–2 years)
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Not saying k, g, f, t, d, and n correctly in words most of the time (2–3 years)
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Being hard to understand, even to people who know the child well
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Produces speech that is unclear, even to familiar people (2-3 years)
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Having trouble saying sounds or words
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Omitting sounds in words
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Substituting/replacing sounds with other sounds in words
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Distorting sounds in words
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Lisps or sound distortions
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Repeats first sounds of words—“b-b-b-ball” for “ball”
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Speech breaks while trying to say a word—“—–boy” for “boy”
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Stretches sounds out—“ffffff-farm” for “farm”
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Shows frustration when trying to get words out
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Difficulty imitating speech sounds (apraxia)
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Inconsistent speech errors
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Slow rate of speech
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Slurred speech
We typically begin with evaluating receptive and expressive language skills. We will also assess the areas of reading and writing if those are of concern. The comprehensive evaluation includes caregiver interview, questionnaire, observation, formal and informal assessments.
The results guide us in determining the next step. If therapy is recommended, we will collaborate to address language skills for social, academic and functional communication. Evidence-based approaches and individualized activities are used to make therapy engaging and fun. A multisensory approach is used for reading therapy.
Language Evaluation
& Treatment
Common Signs of a Language Disorder or Delay
Preliteracy:
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Does not look at pictures in books when you read (8 months–1 year)
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Does not make sounds or words when looking at pictures in books; does not point or touch pictures in books when you name them; does not turns pages in books (1–2 years)
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Does not know that books have a front and back; does not point to and name many pictures in books (2–3 years)
Spelling, reading & writing:​
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Difficulty recognizing and/or spelling words
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Difficulty with reading fluency
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Difficulty with reading comprehension
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Difficulty with written spelling or written expression
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Does not smile or interact with others (birth and older)
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Does not babble (4-7 months)
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Makes only a few sounds or gestures, like pointing (7-12 months)
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Does not understand what others say (7 months-2 years)
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Says only a few words (12-18 months)
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Words are not easily understood (18 months-2 years)
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Does not put words together to make sentences (1.5-3 years)
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Has trouble playing and talking with other children (2-3 years)
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Difficulty understanding and following directions
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Limited vocabulary compared to same-aged peers
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Difficulty using correct grammar and putting sentences together
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Difficulty asking and/or answering questions
Feeding Evaluation & Treatment
Chickadee Speech Therapy uses a whole child approach to feeding. The comprehensive evaluation will determine the cause of feeding issues whether it is due to oral-motor issues, structural abnormalities, sensory concerns, or a combination. The results from the evaluation will guide treatment goals.
Feeding therapy will include a combination of evidence-based approaches, parent coaching and home programs to ensure we are addressing the whole child.
Signs and Symptoms of a Feeding Disorder
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Refusing age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate foods or liquids
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Accepting a restricted variety or quantity of foods or liquids
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Displaying disruptive or inappropriate mealtime behaviors for developmental levels
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Does not master self-feeding skills expected for developmental levels
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Does not use developmentally appropriate feeding devices and utensils
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Experiencing less than optimal growth
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Taking longer to finish meals or snacks (longer than 30 min per meal and less for small snacks)
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Refusing foods of certain textures, brands, colors, or other distinguishing characteristics
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Taking only small amounts of food, overpacking the mouth, and/or pocketing foods
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Delayed development of a mature swallowing or chewing pattern
Parent Coaching
Parent coaching is an excellent option for children who are not ready for direct therapy. It is an excellent option for caregivers who want to learn strategies to enhance developmental outcomes, such as:
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How to support your child to communicate effectively during everyday activities.
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How to engage your child in communication exchanges
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How to increase communication during play
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How to manage mealtime, continue practice and food exploration at home
Payment
Chickadee Speech Therapy accepts payment via cash, check, credit card or debit card. We accept private pay clients and provide support for out-of-network insurance reimbursement. Please contact Chickadee Speech Therapy with questions.
Good Faith Estimate
Beginning January 1, 2022, if you’re uninsured or if you opt for self-pay (i.e., not going through your health insurance), health care providers like me must provide you with an estimate of the expected charges before you get an item or service. This is called a good faith estimate (GFE).
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Providers and facilities (like mine) must provide you with a GFE if you request one, or after you’ve scheduled a service. It should include the expected charges for all items or services that are provided as part of the same scheduled experience. The provider must provide a list of all items and services associated with your care.
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For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Sources:
https://www.asha.org/public/early-identification-of-speech-language-and-hearing-disorders/
https://identifythesigns.org/signs-of-speech-and-language-disorders/
https://www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Written-Language-Disorders/
https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/pediatric-feeding-and-swallowing/#collapse_2