Call today for your child's FREE speech and language screener! Jennifer's office is bright, colorful, and fun! Jennifer is a trusted and compassionate nationally certified and Utah licensed speech and language pathologist in Holladay, Utah. Therapy sessions may be provided in your home upon request.
Speech Superstars Mission:
To bring out the Superstar in Your Child
I am a Utah licensed and certified Speech and Language Pathologist specializing in:
Speech and Sound Disorders
Remediation of “R”
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Phonological Processing Disorders
Articulation Disorders
Autism
Receptive Language
Expressive Language
Late Language Emergence
Social Communication or Pragmatic Language
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder
Fluency: Stuttering
Voice Disorders
Neurodevelopmental Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Auditory Processing Difficulties
Reading and Writing Difficulties
Hearing Loss
Feeding Therapy/Picky Eating
Help your child speak clearly and be understood
Speech sounds usually develop very early in life. From cooing to babbling to first words and beyond, children rapidly learn how to produce all of the consonant and vowel sounds of our language in order for their words to be understood by those around them.
Most children can say almost all speech sounds by age 4, although some sounds might still be developing such as r, s, & l.
If a child is having trouble saying sounds that are expected for their age, then they have what is called a speech sound disorder.
Speech Production refers to how the sounds of a language are produced. Functional speech-sound disorders can include articulation disorders, phonological processing disorders, and disorders of “R.”
Difficulty planning the necessary motor movements for speech can be attributed to neurological speech disorders commonly referred to as apraxia. Notably, your child may benefit from speech therapy if they are:
- Having trouble pronouncing certain sounds or words
- Not understood by others
- Having difficulty imitating sounds or words
- Pronouncing the same word in many different ways
- Leaving sounds out of words
- Using one sound in place of others (such as ‘wabbit’ for rabbit or ‘thope’ for soap
Help your child improve his or her language skills
Receptive language refers to the ability to understand language. Expressive language refers to the ability to use language. With this is mind, a child who has not learned to understand or use language, may need help communicating effectively. This disorder can affect both written and spoken language. Your child may benefit from receptive language therapy if they are struggling with:
- Understanding what people mean when they use gestures like shrugging or nodding.
- Following directions
- Answering questions (who, what, where, when, how, and why)
- Identifying common objects and picture vocabulary
Your child may benefit from expressive language therapy if they are struggling with:
- Asking questions.
- Naming objects
- Using expressive gestures
- Putting words together into sentences
- Learning songs and rhymes
- Using correct pronouns, such as “he,” “she,” “we,” and “they,” and using correct verb tenses.
Help your child improve his or her pragmatic language skills.
Pragmatics refers to how we use language to communicate in a variety of situations. A child may benefit from pragmatic language therapy if they have difficulty:
- Taking turns in conversation
- Making and keeping friends
- Adhering to social rules such as personal space
- Understanding abstract language
- Recognizing or regulating different emotions
- Understanding others’ perspectives
- Solving social conflicts
Help your child improve his or her reading, writing, and spelling
Literacy is the capacity for reading, writing, and spelling. A child may benefit from literacy services if they are:
• Reading below the expected age level
• Failing to understand information
they are reading
• Having difficulty writing complete, meaningful sentences
• Struggling to spell age-appropriate words correctly
About Speech Superstars
Jennifer Schlendorf , M.A., CCC-SLP, is a nationally certified and licensed Speech and Language Pathologist and founder of Speech Superstars. Jennifer feels very lucky to have found a field in which she can work together with children and their families to support effective communication skills. Equally important, she knows helping others create meaningful communication is one of the greatest gifts we can give. Opportunities are created in a cheerful learning environment, maximizing your child’s potential to reach his or her speech and language goals. Jennifer has extensive experience working with thousands of children including babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. She has specialized training in speech sound disorders, phonological processing disorders, receptive and expressive language, childhood apraxia of speech, dysfluency, autism, disorders of the “R” and other developmental disabilities. Ultimately, it is Jennifer’s mission to bring out the superstar in your child!
Parent Information
What is the purpose of a speech language assessment?
Evaluations probe into all areas of speech and language to get a comprehensive profile of your child’s overall communication abilities. An evaluation includes a combination of standardized norm referenced assessments, language sampling, formal assessment in areas of receptive and expressive language, speech sound production, oral/motor development and clinical observation. Moreover, specific areas of concern may be targeted more in depth. A comprehensive report is provided and reviewed with the parent, including recommendations for targeted therapy goals and services if your child qualifies.
How long do your assessments typically last?
A comprehensive pediatric speech and language assessment includes a one-hour diagnostic assessment of your child.
What do your assessments involve?
Our assessments are varied and highly individualized. At the assessment appointment, parents are asked to fill out detailed intake forms for their child in order to determine which testing instruments need to be administered. At the end of this appointment, the speech and language pathologist will review the testing information and develop goals for therapy. In conclusion, a full comprehensive report will be provided to the parents within two weeks of the assessment.
What are your assessment and treatment fees?
At Speech Superstars, the cost of a 1-hour comprehensive evaluation of your child begins at $150. The cost of a 1/2 hour treatment session is $60. A 45 minute treatment session will be determined on an individual basis at the request of the client.
What can I expect as a result of a speech language assessment?
Within two weeks of the assessment, you will receive a comprehensive speech and language report detailing your child’s performance on administered formal and informal testing. It will contain a detailed case history, performance scores, a detailed descriptive summary of strengths and weaknesses, impressions, recommendations, referrals for additional professional consultations (if needed), treatment goals and objectives, as well as suggested remediation methods, techniques, and strategies.
What is the average therapy frequency and duration?
The average speech and language therapy frequency is 1-2 time(s) per week typically lasting 30 minutes or more, based on individual needs. On request, a longer 45-minute therapy session is also an option.
Are these services covered by insurance?
Speech Superstars is not currently accepting insurance. We will, however, provide documentation when requested for reimbursement by your insurance. It is the client’s responsibility to directly inquire with their insurance company to determine if treatment is covered and to process all reimbursements. With this in mind, all insurance companies vary, and speech-language services may or may not be covered by your insurance.
Is it too early to evaluate?
If you have concerns about your child’s ability to listen or communicate, it is never too early for your child to be evaluated by a speech and language pathologist. The first three years of your child’s life are called “the critical period” for learning language. Rapid growth and change in your child’s brain make learning easier and more efficient during these years. Your child is listening to you speak and learning communication skills that lay the foundation for future speech and language development. The earlier we diagnose a speech-language disorder, the less impact it will have on your child’s academic and social well-being.
Click here to read more: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/