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Kid Talk: An Elementary Social Language Therapy Group

Comprehensive Speech and Language Evaluation

Speech and Language Therapy

Talking Toddlers: A Toddler Communication Therapy Group

Child to Child: A Preschool Social Language Therapy Group

Teen Talk: A Middle and High School Social Thinking Group

Getting In Gear: A Learning Strategies Group

Fast ForWord Programs / CompuKids Computer Lab

Feeding and Swallowing Disorders

At Pediatric Speech and Language Specialists, we offer a variety of groups that target social language use, or pragmatics. Our groups target different skills based on the level of the children involved, from basic social skills up to social thinking concepts. All children must go through a screening process to enable therapists to form groups of similar ages, skills, and needs. Groups meet one time per week for an hour or an hour-and-a-half, under the direction of a speech-language pathologist. During the last five to ten minutes of each session, a family information period is offered to educate parents about vocabulary and strategies that are being used/taught to improve their child's pragmatic language skills. We focus on important skills such as;

Social Skills

Identifying Expected vs. Unexpected Behaviors
Thinking Flexibly
Perspective Taking
Understanding Hidden Social Rules
Reading Social Cues
Whole Body Listening
Understanding the Effect of One’s Behavior on Others
Increasing Self-awareness/Self-monitoring

Language Skills

Asking & Answering Questions
Staying on Topic
Switching Topics
Specific Word Finding
Processing of Information
Formulation and Sequencing of Thoughts in Conversation
Reasoning and Problem Solving

Cooperating With Peers

Negotiating with Peers
Being a Good Leader/Participant
Taking Turns
Good Sportsmanship

KidTalk

For school-aged children, we offer social thinking groups, known as KidTalk. These groups meet for an hour. Groups are typically smaller, ranging from three to six children with one speech-language pathologist. KidTalk groups are often separated into children aged seven to ten and those aged ten to thirteen. However, age ranges are subject to change slightly based on the skill levels of interested children.

KidTalk groups focus on social thinking concepts and "hidden" social rules. Children are taught to think through social situations, and are provided with guided practice in learning to take the perspective of others, from peers to parents. This focus often enables greater social success for children because it helps them understand why they are supposed to act a certain way, rather than simply having them memorize social rules. A new social thinking vocabulary is introduced to help parents, therapists, and children communicate openly about social expectations and how they relate to others' thoughts and perspectives. This understanding is critical for making and keeping friends.

Call the PSLS office for our current schedule at (480) 991-6560.