Speech Therapy

The development of communication skills begins at birth before the emergence of the first word. This development can have a significant effect on the child’s social and academic skills and behavior. Early speech and language intervention can help children be more successful with reading, writing, schoolwork, and interpersonal relationships.

Our Speech/Language pathologists have the following specialties:

• Early Intervention for delayed language and speech development
• Pragmatic language
• Stuttering
• Assistive/alternative communication
• Articulation / Speech Sound Production
• Expressive and Receptive Language

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists increase an individual’s participation and independence in daily life skills (occupations). They address the child and youth’s physical (motor), psychological, and cognitive aspects to enhance occupational performance by working closely with the family and others.

Following a comprehensive evaluation, intervention may focus on:

• Daily living skills such as feeding, eating, dressing, toileting, hygiene, and sleep.
• Play and leisure skills (e.g., turn-taking, exploration, motor planning).
• Functional cognitive skills such as problem solving, attending, sequencing.
• Physical skills to increase movement, strength, balance, coordination.
• Fine motor and visual motor skills to enhance education and work (e.g., handwriting, cutting, dexterity).
• Self-regulation and sensory processing to enhance participation in the environment.
• Strategies to enhance social interactions (e.g., coping skills, social-emotional cues).
• Modifications or adaptations to environment or equipment to increase independence.

Feeding Therapy

Metro West's Eating/Feeding Program uses a family-centered approach that includes the family in an individualized evaluation and intervention program to help your child learn to eat a variety of textures and a range of foods. Strategies and education to enhance eating, feeding, and skills will be provided to families. Evidence-based strategies are provided by an experienced occupational therapist or speech therapist.

• Children who have difficulty eating, chewing, biting, or swallowing foods
• Children who have ongoing gagging, choking, or coughing during meals
• Children with strong negative reactions to non-preferred foods (tantrums, screams)
• Children who are having difficulty transitioning to baby food purees by 10 months
• Children who are not eating foods by 12 months of age
• Children who are still eating baby food at 16 months of age
• Children who do not eat foods orally (e.g. have feeding tube), but are safe to do so
• Children with 20 or less foods in their diet (e.g. dropping foods from their diet)
• Children who avoid food groups (e.g. proteins, fruits, vegetables)
• Families who are experiencing a high level of anger/frustration during mealtimes

Tongue and Lip Tie Therapy

Tethered oral tissues (TOTs) are oral restrictions that occur in the mouth and could include tongue, lip, or buccal. These restrictions can limit the movement needed for a baby to properly suck, swallow, and breathe, and may cause other tightness or tension in the body. 

Symptoms to look for in mom or baby: 

• difficulty latching or staying latched
• clicking while eating
• falling asleep when eating
• taking a long time to eat
• colic
• painful nursing
• nipple damage 
• supply issues or frequent mastitis 

If your baby is experiencing any of these symptoms, therapy may help to address body tension, feeding challenges, and motor development. 

Communicating Listening Understanding Empathy

Club CLUE (Communicating Listening Understanding Empathy) is a social communication/problem-solving group that helps students decode the often-confusing world of verbal and nonverbal signals. Small group sessions, led by trained staff on autism will address:

• Using appropriate strategies for making and keeping friends
• Interpreting and using body language cues for social interaction
• Initiating and participating in conversations appropriately
• Identifying and expressing emotions appropriately
• Matching communication and behavior to various group situations
• Applying social communication and problem-solving skills in interactive role-playing situations
• Managing meltdowns
• Expected/unexpected behaviors in various settings

Teen Talk

Teen TALK (Talent Advocacy Learning Knowledge) provides many of the same lessons in skill development found in Club CLUE, but at a more sophisticated level.  While middle school and high school students don’t necessarily need to learn “play skills” they do need support in being part of a group and navigating the perplexing drama known as dating.  Parents are encouraged to let staff know about topics they feel would be helpful for their child or particular difficulties encountered at school, social activities or in the community.  We are happy to address parent submitted topics in a future lesson. Teen TALK also provides students with social time outside the office.

Some of the topics addressed during Teen TALK groups are:

• Problem solving/negotiating
• Perspective taking
• Navigating the boring moments
• Using body language/facial expression to understand communication
• Self-monitoring
• Expected/unexpected behavior in various settings
• Making an impression
• Manners at home and away from home
• Managing milestones and celebrations: Funerals, weddings, graduation, holidays
• Navigating the internet
• Clothes: Casual, semi-formal, formal
• Hygiene
• Independence and taking care of yourself