A Multifaceted Approach for Speech Therapy
S.M.I.L.E.S. provides traditional to cutting edge approaches for all aspects of the speech therapy field at our Speech Therapy Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. As the speech-language field evolves, so do we. We continuously add in more varied approaches so that we may always offer the best possible treatment for each child.
Since each child we treat is a unique individual, therapy will require his/her own unique therapeutic approach. We strive to gain insight into all techniques, then blend and mold each to fit the child’s specific needs. We invite and encourage parental input to gain the best insight to each child so that we may deliver the best possible results. Along with parental insight, we also encourage parents to be involved with their child’s therapy through home programing on a functional level, which is the ideal for faster and greater results.
We do not limit our vision to the issue or diagnosis presented. We treat each child holistically, utilizing great insight from parents, caregivers, therapists, and physicians/specialists. This ensures issues are not isolated, but part of the entire therapeutic regimen that is then addressed with each successive therapy session. If you want a team that is truly working for your family and your child, then S.M.I.L.E.S. is the speech therapy center for you!
Using the Expanding Expressions Tool (EET) to Increase Oral & Written Language Skills
The Expanding Expressions Tool (EET) is a hands on tool that provides a mnemonic device to teach expansion of defining and describing skills. It provides visual and tactile information to help organize expressive language output to increase use of vocabulary, paragraph length, and quality of report writing.
The EET is a handheld device that is color coded to remind kids to describe different aspects of an object or activity including:
- Green-group: What category does the object belong in?
- Blue-do: What does it do or what can you do with it?
- “Eye ball”: What does it look like? (eg. Colors, shapes, size, etc.)
- Wood ball: What is it made of? (eg. Plastic, metal, wood, etc.)
- Pink-parts: What parts make up the whole?
- White-where: Do you find it? (eg. Where can you buy it, keep it, do it? etc.)
- ? Ball: What else do you know? (A chance to name everything left that you know that has not been previously covered.)
The EET is a great tool for any age group preschool through high school and it can grow with your child. It can be used to help increase describing skills with a preschooler during show and tell or be used for writing a large report on a topic in upper grade level curriculum. It is a helpful tool to use when describing similarities and differences between objects. It is amazing to see one simple tool help kids who initially use single word answers, to start sharing their knowledge in paragraph form. For more information about the EET, visit Expanding Expression.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) includes all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas. We all use AAC when we make facial expressions or gestures, use symbols or pictures, or write.
People with severe speech or language problems rely on AAC to supplement existing speech or replace speech that is not functional. Special augmentative aids, such as picture and symbol communication boards and electronic devices, are available to help people express themselves. For more information about AAC, visit ASHA.
Target Areas Addressed in Speech Therapy
There are many areas that we target for speech services. These areas are typical in most speech therapy programs and include but are not limited to:
- Receptive Language
- Expressive Language
- Written Language
- Reading/Reading Comprehension
- Language Processing
- Auditory Processing
- Social Skills
- Pragmatic Skills
- Following & Providing Directions
- Sequential Skill Patterns
- Saftey Skills