FAQs

Have questions? We have answers about speech therapy, occupational therapy, the Jon Peterson and Autism Scholarships.
For any further questions please connect with us!

Speech and language disorders in children can affect the way they talk, understand, analyze, or process information. Four major areas in which these impairments occur include :

LANGUAGE-
Language impairments occur when a child has difficulty understanding what others say, verbally expressing needs, ideas, or information, and/or social skills. Language disorders include a child’s inability to hold meaningful conversations, understand others, problem solve, read and comprehend, and express thoughts through spoken or written words.

ARTICULATION-
Speech impairments occur when a child produces sounds incorrectly (e.g., lisp, difficulty articulating certain sounds, such as “l” or “r”);

FLUENCY-
Fluency impairments occur when a child’s flow of speech is disrupted by sounds, syllables, and words that are repeated, prolonged, or avoided. A child may experience silent blocks or inappropriate inhalation, exhalation, or phonation patterns;

VOICE-
Voice impairments occur when a child’s voice has an abnormal quality to its pitch, resonance, or loudness.

There are differences in the age at which each child understands or uses specific language skills. The following list outlines the general speech and language development. If your child is not doing 1 -2 of the skills in a particular age range, your child may have delayed hearing, speech, and language development. If your child is not doing 3 or more of the skills listed in a particular age range, please take action and contact Elite Kids Therapy to find out if an evaluation or consultation is necessary. Speech therapy services are provided in the Cincinnati and surrounding areas.

BIRTH– 3 MONTHS:

• Startles to loud sounds.

• Quiets or smiles when spoken to.

• Seems to recognize your voice and quiets if crying.

• Increases or decreases sucking behavior in response to sound.

• Makes pleasure sounds (cooing, gooing)

• Cries differently for different needs.

• Smiles when sees you.

4 – 6 MONTHS

• Moves eyes in direction of sounds.

• Responds to changes in tone of your voice.

• Notices toys that make sounds

• Pays attention to music.

• Babbling sounds more speech-like with many different sounds, including, p, b, and m.

• Vocalizes excitement and displeasure.

• Makes gurgling sounds when left alone and when playing with you.

7– 12 MONTHS

• Enjoys games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake.

• Turns and looks in direction of sounds.

• Listens when spoken to.

• Recognizes words for common items like “cup”, “shoe,” “juice.”

• Begins to responds to requests (“Come here,” “Want more?”).

• Babbling has both long and short groups of sounds such as “tataupup bibibibibi.”

• Uses speech or non-crying sounds to get and keep attention.

• Imitates different speech sounds.

• Has 1 or 2 words.

12 MONTHS

• Responds to their name

• Understands simple directions with gestures

• Uses a variety of sounds

• Plays social games like peek a boo

15 MONTHS

• Uses a variety of sounds and gestures to communicate

• Uses some simple words to communicate

• Plays with different toys

• Understands simple directions

18 MONTHS

• Understands several body parts

• Attempts to imitate words you say

• Uses at least 10 – 20 words

• Uses pretend play

24 MONTHS

• Uses at least 50 words

• Recognizes pictures in books and listens to simple stories

• Begins to combine two words

• Uses many different sounds at the beginning of words.

2 TO 3 YEARS

• Speech is understood by familiar listeners most of the time.

• Understands differences in meaning (go-stop, in-on, big-little, up-down)

• Follows two requests (“Get the book and put it on the table.”)

• Combines three or more words into sentences

• Understands simple questions

• Recognizes at least two colors

• Understands descriptive concepts

3 TO 4 YEARS

• Uses sentences with 4 or more words.

• Talks about activities at school or at friends’ homes.

• People outside family usually understand child’s speech.

• Identifies colors

• Compares objects

• Answers questions logically

• Tells how objects are used

4 TO 5 YEARS

• Answers simple questions about a story

• Voice sounds clear

• Tells stories that stay on topic.

• Communicates with other children and adults.

• Says most sounds correctly

• Can define some words

• Uses prepositions

• Answers why questions

• Understands more complex directions

*Compiled from www.asha.org, ASHA How Does Your Child Hear and Talk?

Each of our highly experienced professionals hold multiple licenses of national certification, state licensure and Ohio Department of Education (ODE) licensures. Exceptional skills. Exceptional quality. Best practices. This is what defines Elite Kids Therapy!

Ohio created an opportunity for choosing how to help educate your child. These scholarships were created to give children who are in the process of receiving or already have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) a choice. If you remove your child from public schools, you can apply for funds to educate your child. These funds are available at no cost to you. It is your right to use your scholarship funds and allocate these funds as you see fit to educate your child.

To qualify for the Autism Scholarship, your child will have (or be in the process of receiving) an eligibility determination from your districted public school IEP as “Autism”. For more information about the Autism Scholarship check: Autism Scholarship Parent Info.

To qualify for the Jon Peterson Scholarship your child will have (or be in the process of receiving) an eligibility determination as “Speech Language Only, Specific Learning Disability, Intellectual Disability, Other Health Impaired, Hearing or Vision Impaired, Emotional Disturbance, Orthopedic Impairment, Multi-Handicapped, or Traumatic Brain Injury.” For more information about the Jon Peterson Scholarship check: Jon Peterson Scholarship Parent Info

We welcome students with the Autism & Jon Peterson scholarship and can work with you on becoming your child’s SLP and/or OT. Choosing the right SLP and/or OT who is not only highly qualified, but experienced, makes a huge difference in your child’s communication levels! Contact us today about home-based speech therapy in Cincinnati and the surrounding areas and how to get started. Email: [email protected] or call: 513-444-0770.

Speech and/or occupational therapy services can be held at your home, our office or your child’s academic setting. Therapy sessions are provided in Cincinnati and Dayton. Speech and language therapy and Occupational therapy services are held in 50 minute sessions. These sessions are at least once or twice a week as determined together by the caregiver and team members. After the 50 minute session, we encourage a few minutes spent with the parent to give carry over and generalization ideas to use and implement throughout the week.

Yes! We are available to provide SLP and/or OT services in your home, our office, at a daycare, and even in private, or charter schools. Please connect with us for more information. Email: [email protected] or call 513-444-0770.
In addition, if your child is receiving a scholarship and attends a school where a SLP is not providing services, or you wish to opt out of their services, that is your right when opting to use the scholarship .

We are able to connect and help children who are ages 2-18 with their speech therapy and occupational therapy needs.