PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Speech, Language & Learning Services of Marin-Sonoma offers the following programs:

Video taping and computer assisted therapy techniques are utilized to enhance progress.

In addition to speech and language evaluations and individual treatment of children and adults, Speech, Language & Learning Services of Marin-Sonoma offers the following services:

Multi-Modality Reading Programs
Both of our offices have Speech / Language Pathologists trained in Lindamood-Bell programs such as LIPPS, and visualizing/Verbalizing (On Cloud Nine, Seeing Stars), PhonoGraphix Reading program and Great Leaps reading program and are skilled at teaching written language, decoding and encoding skills to children who are having language and or phonemic processing difficulties that are interfering with learning to read or becoming a fluent reader.

SpeechEasy™
This cutting-edge, fluency enhancing device is offered at both offices. For more information visit the SpeechEasy™ section of our website.  Our center was among the first 7 providers in the United States.

Fast ForWord
Scientific Learning Corporation’s CD-ROM and Internet-based auditory processing and reading program is offered during the Summer months in both our San Rafael and Petaluma offices, or can be provided in the home setting. This intense, 5 days per week program focuses on facilitating improvement in the auditory processing rate, phonemic processing skills, auditory memory skills and auditory comprehension of grammatical structures including verbal directions of increasing length and complexity.

Social Thinking Skills Groups
This is for children 7 years and older, who have difficulty learning the many social rules that govern human interaction. Each group is limited to 4 children selected for compatible need and age. Groups are conducted by our Speech Pathologists who provide a unique opportunity for planned (as well as “teaching in the moment”) interactive demonstrations of desired and undesired behaviors. Videotaping, creative role playing, crafts and a trip in the community are part of the therapy process aimed at teaching skills and concepts such as:

Multi-Lingual Therapists
Contact our office for current availability of multi-lingual therapists.

Client Family Counseling
Parents, family, and patient education and counseling are provided by our speech pathology staff as an integral part of the therapeutic process.

Community Education
We work with community agencies, providing consultative service and in-service training. We consult with schools, hospitals, and community agencies to provide comprehensive programs to better serve our clients. We welcome the opportunity to provide consultation and referrals, as well as educational training sessions for parent groups, medical practitioners, educators, and businesses in regard to speech, language, and learning disabilities.

Referral Services
Speech, Language & Learning Services of Marin-Sonoma coordinates with agencies and resources throughout Marin and Sonoma counties in an effort to be familiar with personnel and services to facilitate effective and applicable referral.

Childhood Apraxia
Childhood apraxia of speech (AKA developmental apraxia, speech apraxia, dyspraxia, verbal apraxia) is a speech impairment of "motor planning."  It is believed that the level of impairment in the speech processing system occurs somewhere between phonological encoding and the motor execution phase.  In its most severe presentation, a child may be unable to motor plan pre-speech skills, i.e. "blowing" or initiate "voicing" volitionally. In its milder presentation, speech inconsistencies and reversals predominate (i.e. child says "top" for "pot").
Our therapists are well versed in the state of the art evaluation and therapy techniques for apraxia.  These include but are not limited to the Kaufman method and used as specific "tools" to facilitate kinesthetic feedback.  Overall, frequent and intensive practice is emphasized to facilitate appropriate motor planning along with enhanced sensory input (auditory, visual, tactile and cognitive cues for speech production) and timely/appropriate feedback.

Cochlear Implant
A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that is surgically placed behind the ear on the mastoid bone and into the cochlea itself.  It is designed to provide useful hearing and increased communication ability to individuals who are profoundly hearing impaired.  Adults and children 12 months of age and older with profound sensor-neural hearing loss may be candidates.
Our therapists have worked with both children and adults in auditory rehabilitation following implantation.  Therapy for adults follows a structured hierarchy of auditory skills from recognition of environmental sounds, pattern perception, segmental perception and speech discrimination in closed sets with gradual introduction of discrimination in open sets.  Carryover activities, including ability to understand speech over the phone are introduced as appropriate.  Therapy for young children with cochlear implants follows the same basic guidelines as those for adults, but with the addition of both language goals (vocabulary/concept development, appropriate grammatical structures) and articulation, as needed, depending on the individual child.

Pediatric Dysphagia
Pediatric dysphagia relates to swallowing difficulties in the 0-5 year old population.  Primary etiology for pediatric dysphagia falls under one or more of the systems sub serving swallowing/feeding: neurological, gastrointestinal, cardio-respiratory and/or metabolic.  Common historical factors in this population include but are not limited to: NICU stay, frequent hospitalizations, frequent ear/sinus infections, medications, failure to thrive, slow development (motor and/or sensory), and cognitive/learning delays.
Following the initial swallow/oral motor evaluation at our office, further medical referrals may be indicated, i.e. a modified barium swallow, further GI or neurology assessments, etc.  Direct treatment always includes close contact/communication with the parent and consideration of their goals for their child's oral intake.  Intervention may include positional changes, adapting the child's food to match the child's oral motor skills, modifying the sensory value of the food, as well as behavioral techniques.