Our Specialty

At Utter Success Speech Services, we specialize in three main areas:

• Speech Sound Disorders

• Reading and Literacy Challenges

• Late-Talkers/Late Language Emergence

What is a Speech Sound Disorder?

Speech sound disorders (SSDs) encompass a range of difficulties related to the production of speech sounds. These disorders can affect the articulation (the physical production) and/or phonological aspects (the organization and usage of speech sounds within a language) of speech.

SSDs can vary in severity, ranging from mild difficulties that only affect certain sounds, to more severe impairments that impact overall intelligibility and communication. Speech Sound Therapy is a type of intervention utilized by Speech Language Pathologists to help individuals improve their speech production skills and enhance communication abilities.

There are three main types of Speech Sound Delays or Disorders: Articulation, Phonological, & Motor-based.

1. Articulation: These involve difficulties with the physical production of speech sounds. It can manifest as substitutions (replacing one sound with another), omissions (leaving out certain sounds), distortions (altering sounds in an unusual way), or additions (inserting extra sounds).

2. Phonological: These involve difficulties with the underlying sound system of language. Children with phonological disorders may have trouble understanding and applying the rules that govern the organization and sequencing of speech sounds in their native language. This can result in patterns of errors, called Phonological Processes, affecting multiple sounds or sound groups.

3. Motor-based: Motor speech disorders, including childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), affect a child's ability to plan and coordinate the movements needed for speech. Children with CAS often struggle to articulate sounds correctly, which can lead to misunderstandings and frustration when communicating.

Key characteristics of CAS include inconsistent speech sound production, difficulty pronouncing longer words, and challenges with rhythm and stress in speech. These children may also avoid speaking or rely on nonverbal communication due to their difficulties.

A Speech Language Pathologist can evaluate your child’s speech to determine which type of speech delay they may be exhibiting. Speech Therapy begins after the SLP creates a tailored therapy plan which may focus on improving motor planning skills, increasing sound production accuracy, and enhancing overall communication effectiveness.

What does it mean for a child to have Reading or Literacy Challenges?

Reading and Literacy Delay refers to a developmental delay in acquiring reading and literacy skills that is behind what is typical for a child's age and developmental level. This delay can manifest in various ways, including challenges with decoding (the ability to sound out words), fluency (reading smoothly and accurately), comprehension (understanding and interpreting written text), spelling, and writing. Speech Language Pathologists can help children with reading challenges or dyslexia through specialized training in reading and literacy strategies.

Children with reading delays may struggle to recognize and understand letters, sounds, and words, which can impact their ability to read and comprehend written text. These difficulties can stem from a variety of factors, including Speech Delay, Language Delay, learning disabilities (such as Dyslexia), lack of exposure to print.

Early identification is crucial in addressing reading and literacy delays, to prevent future academic difficulties and promote successful reading development into adulthood. Interventions will include targeted instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension strategies, and writing skills, through specialized interventions tailored to your child’s individual needs.

While reading delay and speech sound delay are separate conditions, it is not uncommon for them to co-occur. Additionally, both conditions benefit from early identification and intervention to support children's academic and communication development.

After your Speech Therapy Consultation, your SLP will screen or evaluate your child to determine which (if any) of the above areas your child will benefit from support in, and how that will look going forward. Whether you prefer a Speech Therapist at home, or an Online Speech Therapist, we can guide you through the process of getting your child help with their reading, literacy, or speech skills early on, to ensure that their future is set for success.

What does it mean for a child to have Late Language Emergence?

Late language emergence (LLE), also referred to as “late-talking” toddlers refers to a delay in the development of verbal communication skills. Typically identified in children aged 12 to 30 months, LLE is characterized by limited vocabulary and reduced ability to combine words into phrases or sentences. While some children may catch up over time, LLE can sometimes indicate underlying speech or language disorders.

Early intervention is crucial, as it helps children develop essential communication abilities and boosts their confidence. Parents and caregivers should seek guidance from a Speech Language Pathologist if they have concerns about why their toddlers have not started to speak, or how they can help their toddler. Identifying and addressing LLE early can significantly enhance a child's social, cognitive, and academic outcomes.

Speech Therapy for toddlers can look like play, or embed activities from their daily routine into sessions. Parents learn techniques to use both during play, and during their every-day tasks, to enhance their child’s speech and language development in new ways. A Speech Therapy consultation can be a great start to learning more about how to get started.