The Speech Space

iPad Games to Develop Language Skills

webadmin — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 14:49:00 +0000

Learn how we use the iPad to build language skills. We go over three games we really like and how we use them!

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s s development, contact us at The Speech Space. We offer free screenings, which take approximately 30 minutes, and can help identify potential problems.

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Ways to Organize Your Child’s Toys

webadmin — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 14:51:00 +0000

Children benefit from organization and routine. Having too many toys or options at one time can actually make your child’s development (of play, communication and attention) scattered and disorganized. There really can be too much of a good thing when it comes to toys.

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Language Activities Using Household Items

webadmin — Tue, 19 May 2020 15:01:00 +0000

A few suggestions of activities that encourage language, using items you probably have around your house!

If you are having concerns or questions about your child’s speech, language and/or communication development reach out to us at The Speech Space! We offer free screenings, which take approximately 30 minutes, and can help identify potential problems.

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A New Way to Play Go-Fish

webadmin — Tue, 12 May 2020 15:09:00 +0000

Our version of Go Fish gives you ways to incorporate more language skills into the game! Work on using as many different descriptors as you can during turns– category, attributes (color, shape, size, number), function, location. Check out our instagram page (@thespeechspacedc) for more ideas.

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Do you know the important milestones for your child?

webadmin — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 15:12:00 +0000

Knowing appropriate developmental milestones helps caregivers spot and act upon potential delays. The CDC has a nice resource page outlining some general, overall developmental milestones for children. Their slogan of “Learn the Signs. Act Early” could not be more on-point. For more specific speech and language milestones, check out our page here. Feel free to reach out if you have concerns — we see the most success when acting early on any delays.

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Paying Out of Pocket vs. Using Insurance

webadmin — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 15:13:00 +0000

Parents that reach out to us are doing so because they are worried about their child and want to help them. Typically in the course of an initial phone call with parents the big question comes up: “Do you take insurance?” As a practice we have chosen not to take insurance, but it may not be for the reasons you suspect. The most important reason we do not accept insurance or work directly with insurance companies, is to be able to provide the best quality of care for the children we work with.

As a practice, we have had some good success with helping families get partially or fully reimbursed. Of course, this completely depends on their insurance. We have seen many insurances write specifically that they will only cover “rehabilitative” therapy. Well folks, since in most cases the children we work with have not yet acquired the skills we are working on, the nature of their therapy is “habilitative”. Thus, they will never qualify for coverage.

The vast majority of insurance companies, if they cover speech therapy for children at all, limit visits and also set a limit on session time. Often, this means a child may only be allowed a few visits for the whole year and each session would only be allowed to add up to “1 unit” (which sometimes is only 30 minutes total!). There are many children that we work with who benefit from frequent, consistent therapy, which sometimes can mean up to two hours of speech therapy per week. We want to be able to provide a child with exactly what they need, in terms of session length and frequency of therapy sessions.

Another reason we do not participate directly with insurance is for the costs of running our small business. This very much ties in to being able to provide the best quality of care for your child. Insurance companies nickel and dime providers on the rates they will reimburse. We prefer to use our resources to keep our games, toys, tools and book selection new and fun for the kids we work with, as well as, to attend courses to keep up with the latest research and techniques. If we participate with insurance, we would have less resources to do these things.

Navigating insurance can be tricky and frustrating, but we are always happy to help when we can. Our biggest goal at The Speech Space is to provide the best quality of therapy and support for your child and family.

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Do Pediatricians Always Know Best?

webadmin — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 15:16:00 +0000

When it comes to your child’s speech and language development, they may not. At The Speech Space, we are lucky to collaborate with some great pediatricians and developmental pediatricians. However, this is not always the case. It’s not uncommon for us to hear that someone’s pediatrician recommended a “wait and see” approach. Unfortunately this is not always the best approach– especially if some red flags for speech and/or language issues are present already. For instance if your child is 18 months old and has not yet started talking, this is a major red flag and a “wait and see” approach may not be beneficial for your child. Beginning therapy as early as possible is aways recommended to help more easily build up a child’s skills and to close the gap with their same-aged peers.

As a caregiver, you are your child’s biggest and best advocate. If your gut is telling you something is not right, you should go with it! We always want our families to feel empowered to know what they can and should do for their child.

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Have questions about your child’s communication development?

webadmin — Mon, 07 May 2018 15:18:00 +0000

Do you have any questions about your child’s communication development? Write in and let us know! We will be hosting a Q & A video on our youtube channel very soon.

Any question about your child’s communication development is fair game! Maybe you have a question about tongue-ties or lip-ties? Or maybe your question is related to toys? Whatever your question is, we will have an answer for you!

To submit your questions, simply email us (info@thespeechspacedc.com). The cut-off for this round of Q & A is May 14th, so get your questions to us before then! Also, your questions will remain anonymous (unless you want us to give you a shout-out, then you can let us know in your submission).

We look forward to reading and answering your questions!

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It’s Better Speech and Hearing Month!

webadmin — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:19:00 +0000

In recognition of “Better Speech and Hearing Month”, The Speech Space is re-sharing some of our favorite posts about communication development.

The difference between speech skills and language skills

When your child should start talking

Ways to encourage language in your 18-24 month old child

The impact of ear infections

The importance of organizing your child’s toys

What sounds 5 year olds should be able to produce

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What can I do to encourage my child’s communication development?

webadmin — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 15:23:00 +0000

Parents often ask us for activities they can do in their daily lives to help encourage their child’s development. Recently, we came across Vroom, a website and app, which can do just that! To get started you simply make a profile and then Vroom will send you a daily tip or idea to help encourage your child’s development. The service is free and you can get it sent directly to your phone, so you can do these activities on-the-go and anywhere!

Vroom is tailored to your child’s age, so the activities grow with you as your child continues to develop.

Apps and websites like Vroom make it easier to incorporate ways to encourage your child’s development. But, if you are worried about your child’s communication development, contact us at The Speech Space! We offer free screenings, which take approximately 30 minutes, and can help identify potential problems.

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