Speech Therapy
Collier Speech-Language Therapy
The Speech and Language program at Collier addresses a full range of communication disorders. Highly trained speech language specialists provide speech and language therapies to students with speech, language and/or hearing disabilities. This involves preparing clinical goals based on the student’s IEP and educational curriculum, with an emphasis on communication. Therapy sessions are provided individually or in a small group within the therapy room or classroom.
The range of conditions treated by Collier’s Speech Therapists includes speech disorders, language disorders and other communication impairments.
Who Benefits From Speech-Language Therapy?
Speech disorders may include conditions such as impaired articulation, prosody or fluency. Language disorders are represented by difficulties with receptive, expressive and pragmatic/social language, as well as auditory/language processing. Altogether, the aim of working with the speech therapist is to remediate speech disorders and provide a foundation of language proficiency essential for effective communication and academic success.
Successful communication is the cornerstone of the speech language program at Collier. As an integral part of Collier’s education team, the Speech Therapist collaborates with teachers, case managers and parents to facilitate the carry-over of acquired communication skills in the classroom and at home.
Speech-Language Therapy Techniques at Collier
Therapy is comprised of a wide range of evidence based techniques. Different approaches are utilitized to address the needs of each individual. Speech production treatment adresses articulation, prosody, and fluency. Remediation techniques include both direct skill based practice and indirect academic support. Speech therapy often incorporates games and other fun elements to encourage engagement and to avoid making sessions arduous. Comprehensive language therapy addresses semantics, grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and pragmatics. Language therapy may include one or more techniques to enhance a student’s ability to understand and use language effectively.
At Collier social communication is a main focus for many students who struggle with social pragmatic language. The Social Thinking Protocol developed by Michelle Garcia Winner is the basis for this type of therapy. This program enhances the students ability to think independently when presented with an unfamiliar social situation. Treatment varies significantly for each person, depending on their area of difficulty.
How Can Parents Help?
Parents can be the key to the success of a student's progress in speech or language therapy. A speech therapist can point parents toward activities they can do at home with their children to help with their speech and language development.
Collier Speech Therapist
Please consider reaching out to our gifted speech therapist with any questions you might have.
Ann Middlebrook, SLS
Speech Language Specialist
732-946-4771 ext. 253
amiddlebrook@collieryouthservices.org
