Helping Your Child Thrive Through Communication
At Laughlin Children’s Center, our experienced speech-language clinicians support children with a wide variety of communication challenges. Every child is unique, so we take an individualized, caring approach focusing on building strong foundations while keeping your child motivated, engaged, and excited to grow. We always consider your child’s needs and interests, using proven strategies to help make meaningful progress.
What We Help With:
Speech Sound Development
If your child has trouble saying certain sounds or words clearly, they may be experiencing a speech sound disorder. Some kids use simplified ways of speaking (called phonological processes) because they haven’t yet mastered all the rules of speech. We work gently and patiently to help them learn to use sounds more accurately.
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Apraxia is a motor planning speech disorder where a child knows what they want to say but has trouble coordinating the movements needed to speak. In some cases, implementing a speech-generating device can support motor speech development by giving children a consistent way to practice planning, coordinating, and expressing speech even when producing spoken words is challenging.
Language
Language delays affect how children understand (receptive language) and use (expressive language) words and sentences. If your child is taking longer than expected to build vocabulary or follow directions, we can help them improve and learn in a fun, supportive environment. In some cases, implementing a speech generating device can support language development by giving children another way to express themselves while they learn and practice meaningful communication.
Early Literacy
Some children struggle with reading, spelling, or writing, even though they have average or above-average intelligence. We focus on building the key skills they need, including vocabulary, following directions, and organizing ideas so they can thrive academically and socially.
Gestalt Language
Some children learn language by first using whole “chunks” or scripts they’ve heard, like movie lines or familiar phrases, before breaking them down into smaller words. It’s a natural language-learning style, especially for many autistic children, and it progresses through predictable stages. With support, kids can move from using long memorized phrases to building their own flexible, original sentences.
Social Communication
Also called pragmatic language, this is about how children use language in everyday interactions, like taking turns in conversations, asking questions, or staying on topic. If your child has difficulty in social settings, we can help build their confidence and connection with others.
Stuttering
If your child gets stuck on sounds, repeats words, or struggles with the flow of speech, they may be stuttering. Our team uses supportive strategies to help make communication easier and more fluent.
Voice
Sometimes a child’s voice may sound hoarse, too quiet, nasal, or unusually loud. We work to improve vocal quality so your child can communicate clearly and comfortably.