Our therapists can provide treatment for a wide variety of speech and language impairments, which we have summarized below.  We are also experienced in providing services related to Augmentative and Adaptive Communication (AAC) systems/devices. Disorders of Speech-Sound Production Speech-sound production, as opposed to language, is a motor act. Speech requires the rapid sequencing of movements of the articulators for the production of sounds which are strung together in various combinations for the production of words. Articulators include the various parts of the speech-mechanism such as the lips, jaw, teeth, tongue, hard palate and soft palate. There are many reasons why a child's ability to produce speech sounds might be delayed or impaired. A careful evaluation by a certified speech pathologist helps uncover the reason for the delay. Knowing the reason for the delay yields appropriate treatment strategies and effective therapy.  Click on any of the below to learn more.                  Developmental Articulation Disorders             Phonological Disorders                  Developmental Apraxia                                  Developmental Dysarthria     Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders Language is an organized set of symbols that are used to communicate thoughts and feelings. Receptive Language refers to the skills involved in understanding language. Expressive Language refers to the skills used to express thoughts and ideas.  Language is a "rule-governed" system consisting of phonology( the system of organizing sounds into words), semantics (word meaning), morphology (rules for plurality, verb tense, pronouns, etc.), and syntax (sentence structure).  A child might have difficulty  with any one or combination of these aspects of language.  A careful evaluation by a speech pathologist will help determine the nature of the child's difficulty so that an effective treatment plan can be implemented.     Autistic Spectrum Disorders Autism is a developmental disability characterized by unique patterns of behavior. The behavioral symptoms generally include impairment in social interaction, qualitative impairment in verbal and nonverbal communication, and a markedly restricted repertoire of activities and interests.  Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means that there is a wide range of variability of accomplishment within each of the characteristic areas of performance. There is probably no single cause of autism, but it is believed to have a neurological or physical basis. Due to significant progress in teaching children with autism in recent years, there are many effective methods of educating children with autism. Parents are sometimes confused, however, over the wide array of techniques, which often seem to be in direct opposition to each other.  At Building Bridges, our staff is knowledgeable about a variety of methodologies.  We never try to fit the child to one technique; rather, we help parents select the therapeutic approach to which their child responds best, and which is best suited to their unique parenting styles.      Processing Disorders Auditory Processing Disorders An Auditory Processing Disorder occurs when something adversely affects the brains ability to" process" or interpret the information it receives through the ear.  It is sometimes referred to as Central Auditory Processing Disorder or CAPD.  The causes of auditory processing disorders are generally unknown, however children with this disorder typically have normal hearing and intelligence.  Children with auditory processing disorders: 1. have trouble paying attention; 2. have reduced auditory memory; 3. need more time to process information; 4. have low academic performance; 5. have language difficulty; and 6. sometimes have behavior problems related to low self-esteem. Proper diagnosis is done in conjunction with an audiologist and a speech-language pathologist. The audiologist will rule out hearing-loss and help define the nature of the processing deficit. A speech-pathologist  will determine how well a child understands and uses language and implement a treatment program specifically for him or her.   Language Processing Disorders Language Processing is the act of conceptualizing auditory messages, enabling the listener to relate the words and sentences that he hears to ideas and cognitive images. It is how we relate one auditory symbol to another by categorizing, associating, and comparing them. It is especially important to understanding abstract concepts such as time, direction, and space. Efficient, automatic skill in performing these activities leads to the rapid retrieval of words and phrases that enables us to express thoughts in an organized and cohesive manner.   The speech of children with disordered language processing often appears disorganized. These children have orienting themselves, so that they often speak around a particular subject, using vague phrases without making clear and precise statements. Their speech is characterized by word-retrieval deficits. The use of "off-target" terminology often requires the listener to "fill-in-the-blanks" to arrive at the speakers intended meaning.  Treatment entails training in word association activities, categorizing, comparing and contrasting, and practice in rapid recall of words and phrases.