Therapy Focus
I provide evaluation and treatment via teletherapy or in-person sessions.*
*Limited service area in San Antonio. Contact me for details.
Gestalt Language Processors
Who is a Gestalt Language Processor?
Children who use gestalt language processing are often drawn to longer units of language they hear in their environment, in songs, or in media clips. The child encodes an entire experience that was meaningful to them in a chunk of language, called a gestalt. The child uses these gestalts to communicate although it may not be clear to their communicative partner what they are trying to say. Many autistic children are gestalt language processors, but not all gestalt language processors are autistic. We will work together to determine if gestalt processing fits your child.
Natural Language Approach (NLA)
Described by the work of Dr. Barry Prizant, Dr. Marge Blanc, and Dr. Ann Peters, and shared through the work of Meaningfulspeech.com, the Natural Language Approach describes the 6 stages of Gestalt Language Development and a framework for moving from gestalts to single words and to self-generated language. The approach is child-led, strengths-based, and incorporates the child's interests.
Stuttering
Who is a Stuttering Client?
Stuttering is the interrupted flow of speech characterized by repetitions, blocks, elongated sounds, and interjections. Excessive tension, movements, and negative feelings often accompany stuttering. Stutterers are usually very aware of their speech patterns.
Client-Centered Approach
Fluency shaping techniques should be personalized - and sometimes this means working on stuttering tolerance instead of or in addition to fluency skills; however, fluency shaping is often the tip of the iceberg.
We build a knowledge-base tailored for the client that helps them navigate the emotional and practical impacts of stuttering such as bullying, preparing for the job market, and many other invisible elements that affect a stutterer's life. I use a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach to promote your vision.
Struggling Readers
Who is a Struggling Reader
Struggling readers are learning to read and demonstrate difficulty sounding out words, difficulty remembering sound-letter relationships, or can produce the sounds with each letter but are unable to put them together.
Structured Literacy Approach
A structured literacy approach combines learning routines and structured sessions. The format of each session lessens the demands on a student and allows them to focus on the explicit reading instruction. Learning to read and spell words are interrelated and follow rules. Common rules are taught first and practiced to automaticity. Once these rules are established, exceptions - which often follow rules - can be addressed.
Whether your child struggles with letter-sound correspondence, recognizing and remembering letters, blending words, or spelling words, I can support them where they are and help them make the progress they need.