Specialties

Specialties

While all speech-language pathologists receive education and are licensed to work with all individuals with any communication disorders, it is common that professionals choose continuing education and serve clients that exemplify their interests. At Communication PowerHouse, our therapists strive to be leading experts in:

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) refers to various methods and tools that can be used to support individuals who have difficulty communicating verbally. These tools and methods can be used to supplement or replace spoken language, and they are particularly useful for children and adults with developmental disabilities or other conditions that affect their ability to communicate effectively.
AAC can take many different forms, including sign language, communication boards, picture-based systems, speech-generating devices, and various other technologies. The goal of AAC is to give individuals a way to express themselves, share their thoughts and feelings, and engage with others in meaningful ways.
As a parent, it’s important to understand that AAC is not a replacement for verbal communication, but rather a supplement to it. It can be used to help your child develop their language and communication skills, and to help them participate more fully in their community and social interactions.
If you think your child may benefit from AAC, it’s important to work with a team of professionals, including speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists who can help you identify the best tools and methods to support your child’s communication needs. These professionals can help you understand how to use AAC effectively and can provide ongoing support and guidance as your child’s needs change over time.
At Communication PowerHouse, we are committed to providing high-quality Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services to individuals who have difficulty communicating verbally. Our Evaluation and Education Center in Greensboro, NC is staffed by a team of experienced speech-language pathologists who specialize in AAC, and who are dedicated to helping individuals and their caregivers understand the various tools and methods available to support communication.
We offer comprehensive communication evaluations to assess the unique needs of every individual, and we work closely with caregivers to develop personalized communication plans that are tailored to their specific needs and goals. We provide device trials to help individuals and caregivers find the best communication tools for their needs, and we assist with the insurance purchasing process to help individuals obtain dedicated communication devices when warranted.
In addition to our services at our Greensboro location, we also work with therapists and families across the state of North Carolina to improve the quality and availability of AAC services throughout our community. We believe that everyone deserves access to the tools and support they need to communicate effectively, and we are committed to making these services available to as many individuals as possible. Contact us today to get your questions answered.

Auditory Processing Disorder/Central Auditory Processing Disorder (APD/CAPD)

Auditory processing disorder (APD), also known as central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), is a condition in which the brain has difficulty processing and interpreting sounds, even though the ears are functioning normally. This can result in difficulties with speech and language, reading and writing, and other areas of learning.
Therapy practices for APD typically involve a multidisciplinary approach that includes a speech-language pathologist, audiologist, and occupational therapist. The goals of therapy are to improve auditory processing skills, communication, and academic performance.
Therapy may include activities that improve auditory discrimination, sequencing, and memory, as well as exercises that improve attention and listening skills. Other approaches may include the use of assistive technology, such as FM systems, which amplify sound and reduce background noise.
It’s important for parents to work closely with their child’s therapist to develop an individualized therapy plan that addresses their specific needs and goals. With early diagnosis and intervention, children with APD can make significant progress and succeed academically and socially.
At Communication PowerHouse, we will make a collaborative effort with other service providers to identify your child’s strengths and deficits impacted by APD so that we make a care plan to improve those skills and support your child along the path for developmental and academic success. Call and talk to us today.

Articulation/Phonology

Articulation, phonology, and phonological processing disorders are all speech disorders that affect a child’s ability to produce speech sounds correctly and to communicate effectively. Articulation disorders refer to difficulties in producing individual sounds, while phonology disorders refer to difficulties in organizing and using sounds in the right places in words.
Symptoms of articulation disorders include difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, such as “r,” “l,” or “s.” A child may substitute one sound for another, such as saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit.” A child may also leave out sounds altogether, such as saying “pider” instead of “spider.” These errors can be caused by weakness in the muscles responsible for speech, incorrect airflow or control of motor movements, or a lack of sound awareness.
Phonology disorders, on the other hand, can result in a child using simplified speech patterns, such as leaving off the last sound in a word or using the same sound for different letters. For example, a child may say “tup” instead of “cup” or “doo” instead of “zoo.”
In contrast, phonological processing disorders involve difficulty in processing and manipulating the sounds of language, even when the child can produce the individual sounds correctly. A child with a phonological processing disorder may have trouble identifying or distinguishing between the sounds “b” and “p,” blending sounds to form words, such as “cat” from “c-a-t,” or breaking words down into individual sounds.
Furthermore, apraxia of speech is a motor speech disorder that affects a child’s ability to plan and coordinate the movements needed for speech production. A child with apraxia of speech may have difficulty pronouncing words correctly and consistently, and may struggle with the rhythm and timing of speech. They may also have difficulty with the planning and sequencing of sounds and syllables, making it hard for them to express themselves clearly and effectively. It is caused by damage to the parts of the brain responsible for controlling the muscles used in speaking. It is important to note that apraxia of speech is not related to muscle weakness or paralysis, and the child may have no other physical or cognitive impairments.
All types of speech disorders can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to communicate effectively and may lead to frustration, academic difficulties, and social isolation. It is important to note that some amount of speech sound errors is normal in young children as they develop their speech skills. However, if a parent is concerned about their child’s speech development, it is important to seek an evaluation from a speech-language pathologist to determine the best course of treatment.
At Communication PowerHouse, we help parents to identify sound errors or patterns of errors that would be expected at different ages and which sounds should be targeted for mastery now. We analyze speech samples to determine target sounds for each person and we attack the errors in developmental order using evidence-based practices to assist your child in communicating more effectively as soon as possible. Early detection and periodic screening for speech sound errors is critical because it becomes increasingly difficult to develop new, accurate motor plans for speech as poor speech habits persist over time. Contact us now to see how we can help you.

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Thank you for considering us as your partner in your child’s development journey. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and let us help you and your child thrive.