Services
Does your child get frustrated expressing their thoughts, feelings, or ideas?
Do they have a hard time answering or asking questions?
Does it seem that your child does not understand you or has difficulty following directions?
Are you the only one who can understand your child’s speech?
Do you have concerns your child is not developing at that same rate as their peers?
Speech/Language Therapy Can Help
A SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST (SLP) IS A HIGHLY-TRAINED PROFESSIONAL WHO EVALUATES AND TREATS CHILDREN AND ADULTS WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH SPEECH OR LANGUAGE, AS WELL AS PROBLEMS WITH FEEDING/SWALLOWING . DIFFICULTIES WITH SPEECH INCLUDE THE COORDINATION OF THE MUSCLES AND MOVEMENTS REQUIRED TO PRODUCE SPEECH SOUNDS, I.E ARTICULATION OF SPECIFIC SOUNDS, APRAXIA, ETC. DIFFICULTIES WITH LANGUAGE INCLUDE THE STRUGGLE TO COMPREHEND WHAT THEY ARE HEARING OR SEEING, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO FORMULATE PHRASES, SENTENCES, OR QUESTIONS/ANSWERS.
OUR PRACTICE ADDRESSES THESE NEEDS IN A WHOLE CHILD, FAMILY CENTERED APPROACH. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IMPROVING YOUR CHILD’S SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THROUGH EMPOWERING THEM TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. OUR PRACTICE IS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED NEAR THE CROSSROADS OF HWYS 78 AND 316, ALLOWING US TO SERVE FAMILIES IN OCONEE, CLARKE, WALTON, AND BARROW COUNTIES, TO INCLUDE THE TOWNS OF WATKINSVILLE, BOGART, ATHENS, WINDER, MONROE, AND MADISON.
1.
Free Screenings
Southern Hope Therapy offers complimentary screenings to any individuals concerned about speech and language. This will be a brief meeting looking at cursory skills to determine if investing in a full evaluation and possible treatment would be recommended. These are also available to daycares, preschools, etc.
2.
Evaluation/Assessment
A comprehensive evaluation is conducted to determine a child's speech, language, and social communication skills. Appointments include formal and informal testing, observations, review of results, parent education, and recommendations. A detailed report will be provided within 2 weeks of the evaluation.
3.
Individual Therapy
Individualized therapy programs are developed based on family concerns and evaluation results. (Outside evaluations can be used to develop treatment plans if occurring within 1 year). Sessions are child centered using research-based approaches to address data driven goals. Most appointments are 45 minutes and include direct therapy, parent education, progress updates, and home practice activities. Collaboration with other service providers (e.g., school therapist, occupational therapists, ABA therapists, neurodevelopmental pediatricians and psychologists, etc.) is an integral piece of therapy to provide a comprehensive approach, ensuring success across environments.
4.
Social Skills Groups
Social skills groups available for typical developing children as well as children with Autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and other related developmental disabilities. These groups are designed to address various social skills needs in natural settings. They create opportunities for positive peer interactions and aid children in developing and maintaining friendships. Groups are composed of 4 similarly aged children (i.e preschool, elementary, middle school), and participants do not have to be receiving services with Southern Hope Therapy to attend. Groups will be offered for 1 hour per week for 8 week sessions.
5.
Caregiver and Me Groups
(Play and Talk)
In this caregiver and me class, you will learn easy and fun ways to increase your child’s speech and language through everyday interactions and play. This will include: how to respond to your child to increase communication; how to create language opportunities throughout the day; and simple strategies that can be incorporated into everyday tasks and activities. Groups will be offered 1 hour per week for 8 week sessions.
