What are Rachel's credentials?

Rachel is a New York State licensed speech-language pathologist who has an ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). She is PROMPT trained level II and currently working towards PROMPT certification. She completed the QOM 28 hour OMD(Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders) course, making her OMD trained.

How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?

If you notice any speech or language delays, difficulty understanding or expressing thoughts, unclear speech, limited vocabulary, stuttering, or feeding/swallowing difficulties in your child, it is advisable to consult a pediatric speech therapist for an evaluation. They can assess your child's communication skills and determine if therapy is necessary.

Does my child need a full speech and language evaluation to start therapy?

No. Sessions can begin immediately and your child can be assessed informally throughout the first few sessions. This can relieve the pressure your child may feel from being tested. A formal write-up is not provided in this scenario, however I discuss my findings with the parent/caregiver after the sessions or over the phone.

A full speech and language evaluation, will include formal and informal age-appropriate testing materials, and a write-up provided 2-3 weeks later.

How long are speech and language sessions?

Sessions can be 30 or 45 minutes long, depending on the age and attention span of the child. Quality and productivity are most important, so if a child needs breaks, I may recommend 45 minutes. However, if a child has the ability to stay focused for longer periods of time and loses steam after a half hour, I may recommend a 30 minute session. This is something that can be decided once the sessions begin.

What type of location settings do you offer?

Sessions are located in the office or at your home. If seen at home, it is expected that the child has a separate space away from too many distractions. Ideally, depending on the child's needs and age, they will have a table and child size chair.

Do you take insurance?

I do not take insurance. A superbill will be provided with the appropriate codes to get reimbursed from your insurance company. It is recommended to call your insurance provider prior to starting therapy to gather all information.

Does a parent/caregiver need to be present during session?

Parents/caregivers need to be in the waiting area or in the home during session. They do not need to be in the actual session with the child.

What age groups do you provide speech therapy services for?

Speech therapy services are provided for children of various age groups, ranging from infants to adolescents. Each age group may have different speech and language developmental milestones, and I create therapy approaches that are tailored accordingly.

How often should my child attend speech therapy sessions?

The frequency of speech therapy sessions depends on the child's specific needs and goals. Initially, sessions may be scheduled once or twice a week. As progress is made, the frequency may change. I will work closely with you to develop an appropriate schedule that suits your child's requirements.

How long does it take to see improvement through speech therapy?

The rate of improvement varies for each child and depends on factors such as the severity of the speech or language disorder, consistency of therapy, and parental involvement. With regular attendance, practice at home, and collaboration between the therapist and parents, positive changes can often be observed within a few months.

How can parents support their child's progress outside of therapy sessions?

Parents play a crucial role in their child's progress. The speech therapist will provide specific strategies and activities for parents to practice with their child at home. Consistency and reinforcement of therapy goals in everyday activities can greatly enhance the child's progress.

What is PROMPT?

PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) therapy is a specialized approach to speech therapy that focuses on the development of motor control for speech production. The approach is designed to help individuals with speech difficulties achieve more accurate and fluent speech production through the use of tactile and kinesthetic cues.

PROMPT therapy involves a trained therapist using their hands to provide tactile and kinesthetic cues to help the individual produce speech sounds with greater accuracy and clarity. The therapist uses touch to guide the individual's lips, tongue, and jaw into the correct positions for producing sounds, and provides feedback to help the individual make the necessary adjustments to their speech production.

The therapy approach is based on the idea that speech production involves the coordination of multiple motor systems, including the respiratory, phonatory, and articulatory systems. By providing tactile and kinesthetic cues to help the individual coordinate these systems more effectively, PROMPT therapy aims to improve the accuracy and fluency of speech production.

PROMPT therapy is typically used to treat a wide range of speech difficulties, including apraxia of speech, dysarthria, and articulation disorders. It is particularly effective for individuals with motor planning and sequencing difficulties, as it helps them develop the necessary motor control for speech production.

PROMPT therapy is a highly specialized approach to speech therapy, and requires specialized training and certification for practitioners. It is typically provided on an individual basis, with therapy sessions tailored to the specific needs and goals of the individual. The therapy approach is considered to be highly effective, with many individuals experiencing significant improvements in their speech production following PROMPT therapy.

What is an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder?

An orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) refers to a group of abnormal patterns or habits involving the muscles and functions of the face, mouth, and throat. It typically involves the improper use of the muscles used for speaking, swallowing, breathing, and facial expressions. These disorders can affect individuals of any age, including children and adults.

Common examples of orofacial myofunctional disorders include:

Tongue thrust: This occurs when the tongue pushes forward against the teeth during swallowing or speaking, instead of resting against the roof of the mouth.

Incorrect swallowing pattern: Some individuals may use an atypical swallowing pattern, where the tongue pushes against the front teeth instead of the roof of the mouth.

Mouth breathing: Instead of breathing primarily through the nose, individuals with an OMD may habitually breathe through their mouth.

Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use: Prolonged habits of thumb sucking or pacifier use beyond a certain age can contribute to OMDs.

Incorrect resting posture of the tongue: The tongue should naturally rest against the roof of the mouth. In individuals with OMDs, the tongue may rest in a low or forward position.

These disorders can have various causes, including genetic factors, structural abnormalities, prolonged habits, allergies, and even dental issues. Orofacial myofunctional disorders can lead to a range of problems such as malocclusion (misalignment of teeth), speech difficulties, swallowing problems, and facial muscle imbalances.

Treatment for orofacial myofunctional disorders typically involves a multidisciplinary approach, involving a speech-language pathologist, dental professionals, orthodontists, and other healthcare professionals. Treatment may include exercises to retrain and strengthen the muscles, correcting swallowing patterns, facilitating nasal breathing, and addressing any underlying dental or orthodontic issues.

What is Myofunctional therapy?

Myofunctional therapy, also known as orofacial myofunctional therapy, is a specialized form of therapy that focuses on the muscles and functions of the face, mouth, and throat. It aims to correct or improve the improper or dysfunctional patterns of muscle movement and function in these areas. The therapy primarily targets the muscles involved in swallowing, chewing, speaking, and breathing.

During myofunctional therapy, a trained therapist works with individuals to assess and address various orofacial issues, which may include tongue thrust, incorrect swallowing patterns, open mouth posture, tongue tie, or improper resting posture of the tongue and lips. These issues can affect speech production, swallowing efficiency, and dental health.

The therapy typically involves a combination of exercises, techniques, and behavior modification strategies. The exercises aim to strengthen or retrain specific muscles and promote proper muscle coordination and function. The therapist may also provide guidance on proper tongue posture, nasal breathing, and swallowing patterns. Additionally, myofunctional therapy often includes education and guidance for patients and their families to reinforce positive habits and achieve long-term improvement.

Myofunctional therapy is commonly used as a supportive treatment for individuals with speech and language disorders, orthodontic issues, or swallowing difficulties. It is typically provided by speech-language pathologists or myofunctional therapists who have specialized training in this area.