Professional Services
At Let's Chat!, we offer speech and language screenings, evaluations, and therapy sessions to help children communicate more effectively. We understand the importance of early intervention and personalized treatment, and we are dedicated to providing the best possible care for your child.
Speech & Language Screenings
A screening tool is a 15-minute assessment of your child’s speech and language abilities. A brief verbal and informal written report will follow a screening. A screening does not replace an evaluation.
Evaluations
Speech evaluation sessions are usually 30-45 minutes. Parents complete a questionnaire regarding their concerns, the child’s medical, developmental, and educational history. A written report detailing evaluation results will be provided.
Therapy Sessions
Therapy sessions are 30-45 minutes in length and will be determined by the speech pathologist and parents based on the goals and needs of your child. To advance your child’s skill level and avoid regression of skills, consistent weekly attendance is recommended.
Speech & Language Screenings
A first step in identifying possible speech delays
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Identification
Screening tools are used by Let’s Chat! as a first step in identifying possible speech delays. If delays are suspected, it may be recommended that you contact your child’s pediatrician for a medical follow-up, as well as a speech evaluation performed by a speech-language pathologist.
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Results
A screening tool is a quick assessment of your child’s speech and language abilities. It usually takes about 15 minutes. A brief verbal and informal written report will follow a screening. For more in-depth information and reporting, a comprehensive speech and/or language evaluation is recommended. This process may take one to two hours of evaluation time with your child and will be followed by a formal report and parent meeting.
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Next steps
A screening is not as thorough or extensive as a complete speech and/or language evaluation. This is a helpful tool if you are unsure if your child has a delay or disorder in speech/language and would like a professional opinion about whether you should pursue further evaluation. It also can be a great opportunity to see if Let’s Chat! is a good fit for your child and family.
Evaluations
Identify areas to evaluate more closely
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Prior to the Evaluation
Parents complete a questionnaire regarding their concerns and the child’s medical, developmental, and educational history. In certain cases, we will request medical information from the child’s pediatrician, and may also request information from other medical or educational professionals who have evaluated the child.
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During the evaluation
Your child’s medical, developmental, and educational history is carefully reviewed. Parents are interviewed regarding their concerns and the child’s history. This information helps the Speech-Language Pathologist identify areas to evaluate more closely. A variety of methods, including formal and informal tests, observation, parent/caregiver interview, and play-based activities will be used to evaluate your child’s speech, language, cognition, and voice. Selection of testing methods is based on your child’s individual needs.
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Following the evaluation
Initial results of the evaluation and recommendations are reviewed with you (and your child if age appropriate). A written report detailing evaluation results will be provided and mailed to your child’s physician (if requested).
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Treatment plan
A treatment plan typically follows a screening and evaluation. A treatment plan is an individualized plan created by the Speech-Language Pathologist to address your child’s speech, language, cognitive, and/or voice needs.
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The plan may include
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Recommendations for therapy or re-screening/re-evaluation at a later time
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Initial goals to address during therapy
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Referrals to other professionals (i.e., audiologist, medical specialist, occupational/physical therapist)
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Referral to other community services, such as an early intervention program
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Suggestions for parents/caregivers and educators
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Parents involvement
​During the evaluation process, we gather developmental history via a parent/caregiver interview, to guide the initial assessment, write treatment goals and develop home programs. During therapy, the clinician and parent determine the optimal approaches for the child. The Speech-Language Pathologist provides feedback following each session. A Home Program, including suggested activities and other recommendations is provided regularly as a part of the treatment process.
Therapy Sessions
Advance your child's skill level and avoid regression of skills
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Session length
Therapy sessions are 30-45 minutes in length and will be determined by the speech pathologist and parents based on the goals and needs of your child. Most articulation/speech sessions are 30 minutes.
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Session attendance
To advance your child’s skill level and avoid regression of skills, consistent weekly attendance is recommended. Therapy is most effective with consistent repetition and practice at school and at home. Sessions are scheduled with your child’s classroom teacher at a time that is mutually agreeable. Sessions are scheduled for each student on the same day and time each week.
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Homework
Homework is given to your child at each therapy session. For consistent progress with therapy goals, home practice is recommended daily.
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Session duration
The duration of treatment is dependent on several factors: diagnosis, therapy goals, performance during therapy sessions and home practice. Progress Reports and Treatment Plans will be updated and distributed every 4 months.