Like all other services provided at ILD, speech and language therapy is delivered in a highly child-centered, process oriented, and strengths-based manner. Our therapists can approach students very creatively, drawing on a large repertoire of skills, programs, and techniques in order to individualize intervention. Our work is grounded in well-established theory and current research.
Individual Therapy
Individual Speech and language therapy at ILD is provided with a focus on building a therapeutic relationship that forms the foundation for all of our clinical work. The major goal of speech and language therapy is to enable the student to develop strong metacognitive awareness and to become a strategic communicator.
Our clinicians address a variety of needs ranging from foundational skills such as speech sound production, phonemic awareness, and vocabulary development to higher order, integrative language skills such as drawing inferences, understanding metaphors, initiating conversations, and organizing thoughts for both oral and written communication.
Speech Production
Treatment for difficulties with speech production may address articulation of specific sounds as well as rate and quality of speech. Typically, sessions targeting only speech production are shorter in duration than those targeting language and literacy skills.
Language and Literacy
Our specialists typically address four major areas through individually tailored activities during weekly sessions:
- Develop internal structure (internal language)
- Communicate (use internal structures to communicate thoughts/expressive language)
- Apply language skills to broad learning goals
- Metacognition and strategy instruction
- Learn social pragmatics