"Communication is the key to human connection, understanding, education, independence and peace."

Speech Language Pathology in Motion  is pleased to offer speech and language screenings to our Long Island community for both individuals and groups such as schools and day care centers.  Speech and language screenings are a wonderful tool to determine if a child is developing within the “average” range when compared to other children his or her age.  Screening tests identify conditions that might need further assessment and are an important part of well-child health  care.  

Pediatricians, library programs, camps, pre-schools, early childhood programs, learning centers and other facilities may contact us for more information or to inquire about setting up a free screening program at your facility. 

FREE consultations are offered to those who would like to learn more about our services.  A consultation can help determine if your child may benefit from private therapy, participation in our speech and language enrichment groups or therapy incorporating specialized treatment strategies as part of his or her speech and language treatment. In addition we are happy to offer second opinions, and answer questions or concerns about speech and language abilities.  Consultations may be provided by phone or at our Hauppauge, NY location. 

Speech and language evaluations are conducted for all new patients at Speech Language Pathology in Motion.  In addition, we offer re-evaluations as needed and Independent Education Evaluations upon request.  Speech and language evaluations are used to determine if a variety of speech and language difficulties are present.  We frequently assess the following:

• Receptive and expressive language skills
• Candidacy for Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC)
  
• Pragmatic language (social skills) skills
• Articulation and Phonology
  
• Motor speech skills (apraxia or dysarthria)
• Stuttering/Fluency
  
• Feeding and Swallowing
  
• Reading and pre-reading skills

It is important that communication is internally driven, therefore when we  target speech and language goals, we do this through activities that  are motivating and meaningful to the client.  Speech is not just about what happens in the mouth!  With this in mind,  movement, sensory experiences and play with preferred toys and games are incorporated into our therapy sessions. We use evidence based practice and clinical reasoning when choosing speech and language treatment approaches and strategies.  We are pleased to offer a number of specialized treatment strategies, as appropriate, as part of your child's treatment.  

Family involvement is encouraged and is an important component of our intervention plans.

We use evidence based practice and clinical reasoning when choosing feeding therapy treatment approaches.  Our feeding therapy sessions provide positive experiences and interactions with foods, encouraging clients to explore the foods in a positive and playful way. The sessions consider each client's unique learning style, sensory and motor differences and history with feeding challenges. 

Sessions focus on increasing a child's awareness and exploration of a variety  of food properties, including texture, temperature, color, smell, appearance, shape and taste.  In addition, children are taught to be comfortable with small changes being made to foods presented.  This is particularly helpful in addressing challenging feeding behaviors such as only eating one specific brand of cookie, or only eating with a specific fork.  We focus on developing a healthy, lifelong, positive relationship with food.  

What is AAC?  "Augmentative and Alternative Communication" (AAC) includes all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas.  Children and adults with speech or language challenges may benefit from the use of a dedicated AAC system to provide them with a way to communicate, to supplement their existing speech, or replace speech that is not functional.  

Our therapists have training in the use of a variety of AAC systems including LAMP, PECS, Proloquo2go, Dynavox, CoreScanner and TouchChat.

• We are able to provide AAC evaluations, recommend an appropriate AAC system, and implement AAC with clients and  their families.  
• The goal of AAC implementation at SLPIM is to provide clients with limited verbal skills with the most appropriate system to allow them to say what they want to say as efficiently as possible. 

Speech Language Pathology in Motion is pleased to offer intensive treatment programs upon request.  Each intensive treatment program is individually tailored to best meet the needs of the patient.  Suggested times to consider adding intensive programs are: 

• During a disruption in school based services (i.e. summer break) to keep your child moving forward and prevent regression of skills.  
• During a "growth spurt" when your child seems to be acquiring new language quickly.
• During times when your child is making slow or limited progress to give him/her a boost.

Patients who are not currently receiving therapy with us will need to complete an initial evaluation in order for us to develop a treatment plan before participating in one of our intensive programs

A week long speech and language enrichment program, offered annually in August in Islandia, NY.  

In this program, children are encouraged to Communicate, Articulate, Make Friends and Play  through interactions with animals and a number of exciting activities with peers including horseback riding, swimming, arts & crafts, language games, sensory play, playground and group lunch.  Each activity is led by a  licensed speech language pathologist. 

Goals  are selected for each child and these goals are targeted throughout each activity, all week long.  Participants develop critical speech and language skills, while also having a positive summer experience. 

Our groups are designed to meet the needs of each individual in the group.   Clients are grouped together based on age and ability. Our small group sizes maximize participant benefit. Groups are made up of  2-5 participants and sessions are approximately 1 hour long.  Sessions are available in our Hauppauge clinic on Long Island NY.   Each group is facilitated by a licensed speech language pathologist.

• Social Skills Groups
• Game Night: 
• Mommy/Daddy and Me
• Ready to Read
• Sound Station
• Language and Laughs
• Food is Fun  

Groups run periodically in 4 to 8 week sessions. 

We are proud to accept graduate level speech-language pathology students  for clinical internships from local colleges and universities.  

We currently have relationships with SUNY Plattsburgh, Molloy College and Adelphi University. 

In addition we are pleased to offer internship opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate level speech language pathology students year round and as part of our C.A.M.P. Program.  

• Therapist Continuing Education Workshops:
  • June 10th-12th: The PROMPT Institute- Introduction to PROMPT Workshop 
  • August 25th-28th: American Hippotherapy Association: Level I Treatment Principals.
     
• Therapist Mentoring Program:  Mentoring opportunities are available for licensed speech language pathologists who are looking for mentoring in the use of hippotherapy in clinical in practice.  Please inquire for more information and pricing.
  
  
•  Presentations: We have presented at universities, SEPTA meetings and for other numerous organizations on topics related to speech, language and feeding development, hippotherapy, and animal assisted interventions.  Please contact us if you would like to request a presentation. 

In order to support the carry-over of skills acquired at Speech Language Pathology in Motion and to support further progress toward goals, we offer the following services to our families:

• Participation at IEP meetings.
• Discussion with parents about speech and language progress and suggestions for home practice.
• Communication and collaboration with home and school based speech therapists and other related health professionals.
• Referrals for consultations or evaluations to appropriate related professionals.
• Participation in team meetings and school–based meetings when possible.

We are happy to offer collaboration and consultations with schools and other facilities in order to help our patients succeed in the community and at home.