Breakthrough Behavior Is Now Acorn Health
SPEECH THERAPY
WHAT IS SPEECH THERAPY?
Individuals with developmental disabilities often experience difficulty communicating effectively and efficiently. Communication deficits may present a number of challenges for children and families, limiting academic progress, appropriate socialization, and the overall quality of everyday life. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are trained to treat a variety of communication issues including problems with language, literacy and speech sounds. Speech therapy could help your child communicate wants and needs, expand the use of words and sentences, understand and express emotions, and recognize and interpret social cues.
Should my child be evaluated?
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Frustrated when playing and talking with others
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Difficulty expressing and understanding emotions
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Trouble making certain speech sounds
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Difficulty maintaining attention to others
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Lisp, stuttering, feeding issues or other disorders
Children typically start:
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Babbling between 4-6 months of age
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Using hand gestures between 8-12 months of age
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Saying first words around the age of 1
EVALUATION
An SLP will evaluate your child’s needs through parent/caregiver interviews, observation, interaction, administration of norm-referenced assessment (e.g. PLS-5, GFTA-3) and use of criterion-referenced assessment measures (e.g. communication matrices, checklists). Information obtained from this assessment will help generate a report with the recommended treatment plan of care.
TREATMENT
Our SLPs work on early language, literacy, appropriate play, articulation (speech), social communication, augmentative and alternative communication. Treatment approaches and goals are determined based on relevant scientific evidence, parent/caregiver input and the individual’s specific strengths and weaknesses. We offer one-on-one speech therapy in the clinic setting.
PARENT & CAREGIVER TRAINING
We work with your family to help you understand your child’s specific needs, support your child’s development, and facilitate carryover and generalization of communication skills. Additionally, the therapist may collaborate with your child’s care providers to ensure consistency and continuity of care.
Breakthrough Behavior offers comprehensive assessment & treatment for a variety of speech, language & feeding/swallowing concerns including:
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Language Disorders (e.g. Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder)
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Feeding & Swallowing Disorders (e.g. Food Sensitivities, Oral Motor Deficits)
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Augmentative & Alternative Communication/AAC (e.g. Picture Exchange, Speech-Generating Devices)
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Speech Sound Disorders (e.g. Articulation & Phonology)
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Motor Speech Disorders (e.g. Apraxia, Dysarthria)
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Fluency Disorders (e.g. Stuttering)
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Executive Function & Cognition (e.g. Attention, Memory, Problem-Solving)
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Reading & Writing Disorders (e.g. Dyslexia)
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Social Communication/Pragmatics
SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS
Ryan Hoesten
Director of Speech-Language Pathology
Speech Language Pathologist
M.A., CCC-SLP
Ryan received a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Central Florida and he has nearly ten years of experience working with individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Ryan began his work at the University of Central Florida Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (UCF-CARD), then served as a speech-language pathologist at Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) centers where he was also a supervisor for graduate-level student clinicians. He has contributed to the development and execution of social skills groups and summer programs, such as Breakthrough Behavior’s Camp InterACTION!
Yasmine Al-Khub
Speech Language Pathologist
M.A., CCC-SLP
Yasmine received both her bachelor’s and master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Central Florida. She has more than five years experience working with individuals of all ages and backgrounds with varying diagnoses, including autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities. Yasmine has worked with the UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, along with their supporting non-profit organization PALS (Providing Autism Links and Support), providing opportunities, resources and programs for constituents across the lifespan. She enjoys providing one-on-one speech therapy and is interested in intervention focused on articulation/phonology, social skills/pragmatics and early intervention.
