Speech language pathology in Atlanta is available at Mind & Motion where you can find certified speech therapists offering comprehensive treatments for speech defects and disorders that are unique to each patient. Our experts know how varied speech and language pathology issues can be, which is why we strive to offer customized treatment plans suited to each patient’s individual needs.
Our speech therapists use a combination of pin-point specialty exercises and audio-visual aids to cultivate the development of new speech habits in three categories: articulation, language intervention, and oral motor therapy. Make an appointment today to discover which kind of treatment plan would work best for your needs, and take a closer look at what you can expect from our speech language pathology services at Mind & Motion.
The Allied Health Intake Form
The first step is to complete the Allied Health Intake form. This form offers us a detailed account of developmental milestones of the patient, which in turn offers insight into the specific concerns that need to be addressed during an evaluation. After the intake form is completed, you can schedule an evaluation with a speech language pathologist or SLP.
The Evaluation
Overall, the evaluation process takes about an hour to complete, and a parent will need to be present for any clinical interview of a minor as well as completing any relevant evaluation forms. Don’t forget to bring your IEP or 504 plan if you have one. Additionally, you will need to bring hearing screening results if you had one recently. These evaluations are available all year round, though availability can vary based on the season. In general, however, evaluations are scheduled within two weeks of the intake form being submitted.
The Plan of Care
After the evaluation is completed, it is scored to determine whether or not the patient qualifies for services. If they qualify, a plan of care or POC is created. This plan outlines the overall treatment goals as well as how often the patient should seek treatment. Most of the time, the frequency is one or two half-hour-long sessions each week, though this can change based on the needs of the patient and insurance approval. The overall time frame for care similarly varies, but it tends to be around six months for most cases.
Physician and Insurance Approvals
Once the plan of care has been finalized, it will be sent to the patient's primary care physician and health insurance company. We accept a wide range of insurance providers for all allied health services. Both the PCP and insurance company will need to sign off on the plan of care before treatment can begin. This typically takes up to two weeks to complete, but that time can vary based on the responsiveness of the doctor and insurance company.
Scheduling Recurring Therapies
When the patient’s PCP and insurance sign off on the POC, we can schedule the upcoming therapies. Not only will this schedule the dates the patient will need to come in, but it will also summarize all the out of pocket charges for each session outside of what the insurance will cover.
Treatment Details
Once treatment begins, the exact details are going to vary based on the patient’s unique needs. Speech and language difficulties can be complicated, so it’s important to recognize that one patient’s experience may differ significantly from another’s. Still, you can often expect some of the following treatments based on the patient’s requirements.
Language Intervention Therapy
Patients that have trouble with language development will likely experience language intervention activities with their SLP. These include tongue and mouth exercises designed to facilitate language development in the brain. This is where our audio and visual aids play a major role. Activities can include word games, books, and repetition among others to build language skills.
Articulation Therapy
Articulation therapy addresses the physical aspects of how sound is produced when communicating. This kind of therapy involves training the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue to more accurately reflect the brain’s intentions. For example, many children with speech issues have trouble pronouncing the “r” sound, instead making a “w” sound. In these cases, the therapist will model correct tongue placement and movements as well as practice sounds and syllables in words. This is all wrapped up in play activities depending on the age of the patient.
Oral Motor Therapy
Some children with speech difficulties have trouble with the motor functions of their face muscles. This can not only affect the ability to enunciate clearly, but can cause difficulties with eating, drinking, and swallowing. In these cases, the SLP may use physical oral exercises such as tongue and jaw exercises. Facial massages may also be involved to stimulate the oral muscles. In cases where the patient has trouble eating or swallowing, the SLP may introduce food of different textures and temperatures to build up oral awareness.
Get Started with Speech Language Pathology Treatment at Mind & Motion
If your child is showing signs of speech or language difficulties, Mind & Motion can help with our comprehensive treatment plans. Our speech language pathology in Atlanta services can help patients with a wide variety of different speech disorders and defects. We know how intimidating the process can seem, but this information will let you in on exactly what to expect. All you need to do to get started is make an appointment. You can use our easy online form or give us a call at 678-749-7600.
