Speech Therapy Built Around Your Child
Every child communicates differently. Speech therapy at Playdate is one-on-one and built around what your child needs help with—whether that is speech sounds, language, stuttering, social communication, or another communication concern.
For younger children, much of that work happens through play. For older children, teens, and adults, the activities change with age and goals.
Play Gives Children a Natural Way to Communicate
Children are most comfortable and interactive when they are playing. Play helps them build a natural connection with the person they are with, and that connection and interaction are important parts of therapy.
Play-based therapy is child-centered, so children are free to choose and engage with activities that interest them. What may look like simple play has a purpose behind it. The therapist has specific goals in mind for each activity, so no matter what your child chooses, those goals can still be worked on while they play.
Hidden behind the play are specific clinical targets: following directions, using words and sentences, building vocabulary, practicing speech sounds, taking turns, asking questions, or sharing ideas.
When children are comfortable and engaged, communication often comes more naturally.
Communication is the key to everything
When children are able to express themselves, they can communicate their needs and ideas, interact with peers, and participate more successfully at home and school.
What We May Work On in Speech Therapy
The goals are different for every child. These are some of the areas we may work on depending on what your child needs.
Speech Sounds
Practicing sounds and sound patterns so speech becomes easier for other people to understand.
Language
Building vocabulary, using words together, forming sentences, answering questions, following directions, and expressing ideas.
Fluency
Helping children who stutter communicate more comfortably and confidently while reducing tension or struggle when appropriate.
Social Communication
Working on taking turns in conversation, maintaining a topic, understanding communication in different situations, and self-advocacy.
Following Directions
Helping children understand spoken information, follow directions, and respond to questions more successfully.
Everyday Communication
Helping the skills practiced in therapy carry over into communication at home, school, and with other people.
The Therapist Has a Plan Behind Every Activity
The child may feel like they are playing, but the therapist is paying attention to much more than the toy or game in front of them.
During an activity, the therapist may be modeling a word, encouraging a longer sentence, practicing a target sound, asking the child to follow a direction, or helping the child communicate an idea in a different way.
The activity can change during the session. The goals do not.
We want children to learn and make progress while doing something that feels natural and enjoyable to them.
You Should Know What We Are Working On and Why
Parents and caregivers are kept informed about the goals and the progress being made in therapy.
The therapist will explain what they are working on and share simple ways you can support those same skills during everyday routines, reading, play, or conversation at home.
There is no single timeline for speech therapy. Every child is different, and goals and frequency can change as progress is made.
Older Children, Teens & Adults
Not every therapy session looks like play. With older children, teens, and adults, activities are chosen based on age, interests, communication needs, school or work demands, and the goals being addressed.
The same principle still applies: therapy should be practical and connected to real communication.
Therapy That Fits the Person and the Situation
Speech therapy is available in person at our Charlotte office. Teletherapy may also be appropriate for some clients.
The treatment goals stay the same. What changes is how the session is delivered.
Playdate Speech Therapy
3900 Colony Rd, Suite B
Charlotte, NC 28211
Call or Text Us: 704-912-4622
Serving families from Charlotte, SouthPark, Myers Park, Cotswold, Ballantyne, Matthews, Pineville, Waxhaw, Indian Land, and surrounding communities.
Not Sure Whether Speech Therapy Is Needed?
Start with an evaluation. We can look at what you are noticing and help determine the next step.