Speech and Language Services

CAS is a severe speech disorder.  The main problem i​s a motor speech difficulty. It is hard to start, organize, sequence and fluidly perform the complex movements required for speech.  Speech might be absent, limited, effortful or very hard to understand.  Speech is not just "immature" or "slow to develop".  Specific, individualized, intensive therapy is required. 

 Children make mistakes with certain sounds as they develop. These usually correct themselves with speaking practice. But, when speech continues to be immature, or difficult to understand, speech therapy may be required.  Therapy will typically be short-term 

  Problems with one sound are often called an articulation errors. These are often lateral or frontal lisps or "w" for "r" substitutions, which persist.  There may or may not also be a tongue thrust. This is when a child continues to push their tongue against their top teeth when they swallow, as they did when they were infants. This can affect the success of orthodontic treatment. A concentrated, but short, period of speech therapy is required.

In the first few years of life, young children need to learn to follow spoken directions, use many words,make small sentences, master grammar, and develop clear speech. Although there is some variation in the ages children accomplish this, children who continue to lag behind their peers, are at risk.  Speech and language treatment can help preschoolers catch up with their peers.

  Strong oral language skills are strongly related to success in school: rich vocabulary, understanding concepts, remembering and telling stories, making long, grammatical sentences. Children with weak language skills can struggle academically and socially. Comprehensive language evaluations can help children get appropriate services in school. Specific, directed language treatment can have an important impact on children's success

 This refers to a language disorder of childhood not caused by other developmental problems or hearing impairment. It can affect receptive or expressive language, or both. The ability to acquire grammar and sentence structure rules is often difficult. This language-based learning disability has a major impact on academic and social success. Comprehensive evaluations support requests for services in school, help set effective I.E.P. goals and direct intervention.