The Speech and Language Center has services for children, adults and seniors with developmental disorders and specializes in treating individuals with Autism. The clinic is open to the public and has professional, experienced and caring therapists who provide evaluation and treatment of a variety of communication difficulties. The clinic takes a holistic approach in treating individuals and offers Floor Time Therapy, Behavior Modification and Sensory Integration when working with children with communication disorders.

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SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS

Early Intervention Classes

This innovative class mirrors a “mommy and me” format with an opening and closing circle-time; weekly structured lessons to allow interaction time with your child while learning specific techniques to enhance communication in children with special needs. Classes are designed and taught by a speech-language pathologist with experience in Early Intervention, parent instruction and FloorTime Therapy. Parents will learn different techniques to increase speech and language. This includes using signs and gestures, different styles of talking to the child to optimize communication, picture communication systems, sensory integration techniques, and structured practice time with guidance from a speech-language pathologist. Classes will be 1 hour per week for a 12 week session.

Social Communication Groups

Villa provides social communication groups for children and adults with communication disorders associated with developmental disabilities. Groups meet weekly for an hour under the direction of a speech-language pathologist. The focus of the groups will be: improving social interaction and joint attention with peers, while problem solving together and enjoying recreational activities, such as cooking, music, arts and crafts, light exercise and games.

Aquatic Speech Therapy

This new specialized program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders provides a relaxing and calming, yet stimulating environment where communication and sensory needs can be met simultaneously. Immersion in warm water provides full-body sensory input. Water’s hydrostatic ressure provides proprioceptive feedback and creates a calming environment. Experience and research have shown that accommodating the sensory needs will often improve attention, learning and language output. Communication is targeted in the pool in much the same way as in a clinic only with waterproof materials, laminated pictures, boats, plastic animals, and other pool/bath toys as well as music. This approach incorporates gross and fine motor skills, attending skills, play skills, problem solving, and social skills, with speech and language. This program is offered as a one hour individual therapy session or small group of 2 with an appropriately matched peer.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Additional services provided by the Speech Pathology staff at Villa Esperanza Services Speech and Language Center include: speech services to children at Villa’s Non-public School (NPS); adults and seniors at Villa’s Adult Day Program (ADP); regional center clients; children from area school districts; and children, adults and seniors in the community seeking speech and language services.

Villa Esperanza Services is a non-public school (NPS) with contracted services with school districts and regional centers. Private-pay options are also available. Please call 626/449-2919 ext. 45 for details.

For more information please contact Starla Affatati, Director of the Speech & Language Center at (626) 795-8355 or saffatati@villaesperanzaservices.org

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