FAQ
Speech Therapy Questions for Tina Thompson
What is speech therapy?
How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?
Often you know your child needs speech therapy if they experience language delays, disorders, and deficits. Many situations occur where a child may need speech therapy. I have almost a decade of experience working with a variety of children with disabilities and challenges.
If your child is experiencing any disorders, delays, or deficits listed here, please get in touch and talk to your doctor about referrals and options.
What are the most common examples of speech therapy needs?
These include but are not limited to:
- Speech sound deficits (articulation)
- Phonology (substitution or omission of sounds in words)
- Cluster Reduction (pot for spot)
- Reduplication (wawa for water)
- Weak Syllable Deletion (nana for banana)
- Final Consonant Deletion (ca for cat)
- Velar Fronting (/t/ for /k/ and /d/ for /g/)
- Stopping (replacing long sounds like /s/ with short sounds like /t/)
- Auditory processing – this can affect a person’s ability to attend, understand, and remember
- Fluency/stuttering
- English-Language Learner deficits
- Cleft-palate
Some have cognitive-linguistic delays whereby an individual may have difficulty paying attention to a conversation, staying on topic, remembering information, responding accurately, understanding jokes or metaphors, or following directions.
Expressive Language Delays may include difficulty answering questions, expressing basic wants/needs, and more.
Receptive Language Delays involve difficulty understanding what is being asked of them and more.
Social Pragmatic Disorders include difficulty with others, conversations, and social situations.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication involves finding other ways to communicate, including signs, pictures, communication boards, and/or devices.
Speech therapy also helps those with Autism or who are Hearing Impaired.
Where does speech therapy take place?
In our private pediatric clinic, located in Olympia, Washington.
What sets you apart from other speech therapists?
I have been practicing for over ten years and have worked in various settings (private clinics, schools, and outpatient pediatrics). I am comfortable with a wide array of disabilities and challenges.
I am a mom and therapist, which allows me to connect deeper with you and your children.
My goal is to serve you and partner with you so your child can be as successful as possible. If you have a concern about your child, I empower you to trust your gut.
Please get in touch with me here.
Do you only treat children for speech therapy?
We treat adults as well as children. Please get in touch with us to learn more about adult therapy.
Occupational Therapy Questions for Jennifer Blossom
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy for kids focuses on specific areas that impact their daily functioning. We address fine motor skills, such as improving hand strength and dexterity for tasks like writing, cutting, and buttoning clothes. Whole-body coordination and postural control are targeted to enhance balance, stability, and movement patterns, which are essential for activities like sitting, standing, and engaging in play. Sensory processing is another key area, helping children better interpret and respond to sensory input, improving focus, behavior, and emotional regulation. We also work on self-care skills like feeding, dressing, and toileting, promoting independence. Additionally, we help children navigate big feelings by teaching emotional regulation strategies, empowering them to manage frustration, anxiety, and other strong emotions. Executive functioning skills, such as planning, organizing, and problem-solving, are also developed to foster greater independence and success in daily life.
How do I know if my child needs occupational therapy?
Knowing if your child needs occupational therapy can start with observing their daily activities and how they handle tasks compared to their peers. If your child struggles with fine motor skills, like holding a pencil, using scissors, or fastening buttons, or if they have difficulty with whole-body coordination, such as balancing, sitting still, or engaging in physical play, these could be signs they need support. Challenges with sensory processing—such as being overly sensitive to sounds, textures, or lights, or seeming under-responsive—might also indicate a need for occupational therapy. Additionally, if your child has trouble with self-care tasks, managing big emotions, or staying organized and focused during routines, an occupational therapy evaluation could help determine if they would benefit from targeted interventions to build these essential skills.
Where does occupational therapy take place?
In our private pediatric clinic, located in Olympia, Washington.
How does occupational therapy work?
Occupational therapy evaluations start with a comprehensive assessment of your child’s strengths, challenges, and daily routines, ensuring a thorough understanding of their unique needs. Through playful and engaging activities, we develop a personalized treatment plan that targets areas like motor skills, sensory processing, and social-emotional growth, empowering your child to thrive in everyday life. Our sessions focus on making progress fun and meaningful, with an emphasis on skills that matter most. We work closely with you, the parent, to ensure that progress is seamless and supportive at home, creating a strong partnership for your child’s development.
What makes you different from other occupational therapists?
As a pediatric occupational therapist, I focus on creating a deeply personalized and holistic approach that goes beyond surface-level strategies. I specialize in understanding the unique sensory and behavioral needs of each child, helping them thrive in their environments while empowering parents with practical tools and evidence based practices. My sessions are designed to be playful and engaging, ensuring that therapy feels like an adventure, not a chore. Every milestone is a celebration!
I’m also a mom of two boys and passionate about leadership, having a growth mindset, and bringing the absolute BEST out of others; including our patients! ☀️
Do you only treat children for occupational therapy
General Questions
Who is involved in the therapy process?
Parental involvement is vital. It’s a team approach that includes the therapist, parent/s, AND child as we work together to support treatment and build the relationship to meet and succeed in our goals together. You can read more about our approaches here.
