Social Skills
Speech therapy for social skills, focuses on helping individuals understand and apply the "unwritten rules" of communication to build meaningful relationships. Your speech language pathologist will work on key areas such as maintaining eye contact, taking turns in conversation, and interpreting non-verbal cues like body language and tone of voice. By practicing these skills, children can gain the confidence needed to navigate complex social environments at school, home, or work.
Language Skills
Speech therapy for language skills focuses on helping children understand and have the ability to communicate their thoughts and feelings. This involves improving receptive language—how we understand, process, and interpret information—and expressive language, which is the ability to express yourself. By building these foundational skills, children can better follow complex directions, expand their vocabulary, and advocate for themselves with confidence.
Articulation
Speech therapy for articulation focuses on the physical production of clear and precise speech sounds to ensure your child is easily understood by others. Your speech language pathologist will identify specific sounds that are being substituted, omitted, or distorted and use targeted exercises to improve the coordination of the tongue, lips, and jaw. By mastering these motor patterns, children can reduce frustration and communicate with clarity across all settings.
We provide online speech therapy anywhere in Florida or California, and in-home speech therapy in the Orlando, FL area.
We are Step Up For Students (SUFs) direct pay providers.
Our Philosophy for Speech Language Pathology for Autism
At Alternative Speech and Swallowing Solutions, our philosophy for supporting children on the autism spectrum is rooted in the belief that true communication begins with a genuine, heart-centered connection. We embrace a child-led, play-based approach, moving away from rigid, compliance-based models to meet children exactly where they are. By joining a child in their world—rather than forcing them to conform to ours—we create a safe, joyful environment where language can naturally flourish.
Our methodology is deeply inspired by the principles of The Son-Rise Program (now part of Do Autism Differently®). This parent-led, home-based intervention, developed by Barry and Samahria Kaufman, emphasizes "joining" a child’s repetitive behaviors to build rapport and emotional bonding. We believe that when a child feels completely accepted and understood, their motivation to interact with the outside world increases.
In our sessions, play is not just a reward; it is the therapy itself. Whether we are on the floor engaging in a child's favorite repetitive game or exploring their unique interests, our speech language pathologists use these moments of shared joy to build foundational communication skills. By following the child's lead, we honor their autonomy and build the confidence they need to navigate the world with their own unique voice.
How we can help with articulation disorders and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
We understand that every child’s path to clear speech is unique, which is why we offer flexible therapy options tailored to your family’s needs. For families in the Orlando, FL area, we provide personalized in-home sessions, bringing expert care directly to your dining table or playroom. By working in the child’s natural environment, we reduce "performance anxiety" and help them generalize new speech sounds where they feel most comfortable.
For those seeking even more convenience, our online sessions provide high-quality, interactive teletherapy that keeps children engaged through digital tools while maintaining the same clinical rigor as face-to-face visits.
Our specialized approach focuses heavily on articulation disorders and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). While articulation therapy helps children master the physical placement of the tongue and lips for specific sounds, our work with Apraxia focuses on the brain's ability to plan and sequence those movements.
Using evidence-based motor learning principles, we help children "find" their voice through repetitive, playful, and successful practice. Whether in person or via screen, our goal is to build the motor pathways necessary for clear, effortless communication, ensuring your child can be understood by family, teachers, and peers.