Phone: (804) 378-6141

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Fax: (804) 378-6183

Speech and Language Services

Speech & Language Services in Richmond, VA

Working with licensed speech-language pathologists.

Being able to communicate needs and wants, thoughts and feelings, desires and goals is one of the most important aspects in society. When those we care for are having difficulty being able to communicate effectively, it can be overwhelming, confusing and frustrating.

With Spectrum Transformation Group, it doesn’t have to be. Our certified professionals are committed to helping children, adolescents and adults with speech and language challenges learn how to effectively communicate. No matter what your child is diagnosed with, the challenges they may be facing or the difficulties they may be enduring, Spectrum is passionate about providing the resources, assistance, personalized treatment and customized approaches necessary for success.

As professionals who focus on improving communication and swallowing across the lifespan, the speech-language pathologists at Spectrum Transformation Group hold active licenses with the state of Virginia and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

We work with our clients, families and related professionals to understand the impact communication and swallowing has on our lives and how intervention can lead to amazing results.

Communication & the areas we address.

Communication has a pretty simple definition: it is the process of passing information from one person to another.  To pass and receive that information, a lot of things must go right, and when they don’t, there is a communication breakdown.

At Spectrum Transformation Group we focus on five main areas of communication difficulties:

Communication Difficulties

Speech-Related Difficulties

Speech-related difficulties affect a person’s ability to use sounds and words. Speech therapy can help with the following:

  • Articulation – how we produce sounds
  • Apraxia – Impairments in the underlying movements and function of our speech mechanism
  • Dysarthria – also known as slurred speech
  • Fluency (Stuttering) – a speech impairment related to how smoothly we speak
  • Voice – A voice impairment occurs when an individual’s quality, pitch or loudness differs from that of their age-appropriate peers.

Language-Related Difficulties

Language-related difficulties affect how we understand and use language to express ourselves. Clients in speech therapy may have one or many language-related difficulties. Some of these are:

  • Receptive Language – understanding what is being said to us
  • Expressive Language- expressing ourselves to others
  • Phonemic and Phonological awareness – when our brain organizes our speech sounds for use
  • Written Language – when we put our thoughts into print

Social Communication Difficulties

Social communication difficulties affect how we communicate with both words and actions for social reasons. Social Communication breakdowns are found in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, but also occur in the presence of other disorders such as ADHD and learning disorders.

Cognitive-Communication Difficulties 

Cognitive-Communication difficulties are related to how our brain works when we communicate.

  • This may include difficulty organizing one’s thoughts, paying attention, planning, problem-solving and remembering.
  • Central Auditory Processing is how our central nervous system understands and uses what we hear. Individuals with Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) may experience the following difficulties:
    • Difficulty understanding spoken language
    • Taking longer to respond when communicating
    • Frequent requests for repetitions like saying “what” and “huh” frequently
    • Inconsistent or inappropriate responding
    • Difficult following directions or commands
    • Difficulty learning songs or nursery rhymes
    • Difficulty paying attention
    • Being easily distracted

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Some individuals with significant and complex communication disorders will need Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) that will either supplement existing speech (augmentative) or will be used in place of speech (alternative).

Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia).

Swallowing is one of those skills that we often take for granted but that we need to survive.  Swallowing is a process in which we move liquid and food from our mouths to our stomach while keeping it out of our airway. With feeding and swallowing disorders, we address:

  • The function of the muscles in our mouth and throat
  • Safe passage of food and liquids from our mouths to our stomachs
  • Breathing and coordination
  • Strategies for improving safety
  • Client and family education
  • Food preparation and presentation
  • Referrals to other related providers

With Spectrum Transformation Group’s interdisciplinary team, we can address feeding and swallowing related issues through a collaborative approach. This provides us with the opportunity to create goals and outcomes to meet clients’ individual needs. Our interdisciplinary team may include the speech pathologist, psychologist, ABA therapist and YOU (client/family)!

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT Loud).

LSVT LOUD is an effective speech treatment for people with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions.  While LSVT LOUD focuses on vocal loudness, research is demonstrating that the treatment can also help with other qualities that improve communication, including articulation and intonation and even facial expression.

LSVT LOUD has increasing research supporting voice and communication in children with neurological and neuromuscular impairments including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome. LSVT LOUD is an effective speech treatment for people with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions.  

Our Process

Evaluation

  • In order to get started with any service at Spectrum Transformation Group, you must fill out a Client Screening Form.
  • After you have heard back from us, the next thing to do is talk to your doctor. Insurance companies often require a doctor’s order to begin assessment and intervention.
  • Next, in order to properly assess and provide recommendations and/or treatment to a client, the speech-language pathologist conducts a comprehensive Evaluation based on each client’s individual needs. Our Evaluation process combines standardized assessments with client/family interviews, observation, and skill assessments.
  • The speech-language pathologist will then set up a follow-up appointment to review the Evaluation results and develop a functional treatment plan.

Next Steps

  • Once a determination has been made that a client requires speech-language intervention, we will work with you to schedule follow-up therapy sessions.
  • We will focus on parent involvement (where applicable), keeping you in-the-loop with each therapy session and encouraging/training home practice.
  • We will revisit our therapy plan on a regular basis to ensure our focus continues to match the client’s needs.

FAQ

What insurance coverage is accepted?

Spectrum Transformation Group’s Speech & Language Services accept Medicaid, self-pay, and most private insurance plans (please check with your benefits specialist to verify coverage).

Spectrum Transformation Group aims to provide gold-standard, comprehensive treatment across a continuum of care, and across the lifespan of those needing our Speech & Language Services. We are happy to provide more information and answer any specific questions you may have about our Speech & Language Services. We look forward to serving your family!

If interested in learning more please call us at 378-6141 or start the process by filling out our Client Screening Form.

Our Services

Client Screening Form

Have you already scheduled an intake appointment? Click here to print out New Patient paperwork.

Get Started

Patient Portal

Have you already become a patient? Click here to access your patient portal.

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