Meet Your Therapist!

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month in the realm of all things speech, language, and audiology! This wonderful month is the time the community of speech language pathologists and audiologists work together to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role they play in providing LIFE-changing treatments. 

That being said… what better way to kick off Better Hearing and Speech Month than getting to know our very own on-site speech language pathologist, Taylor!

• What exactly do you DO? 
  • Speech-language pathologists in general work to screen, assess, identify and treat a variety of speech, language, cognitive-linguistic, voice, fluency, and swallowing/feeding problems for all age groups! I specifically work with individuals with Down syndrome of various ages… from 2-51 years old… assessing and treating communication disorders. Each participant I see is SO individualized that I have gotten to work with a variety of  disorders such as speech delays/disorders including articulation and motor speech disorders, language delays/disorders such as expressive and comprehension, fluency disorders, voice and resonance disorders, swallowing disorders, cognitive-communicative disorders, pre-literacy and literacy skills, as well as aural rehabilitation. I provide evaluations (testing), treatments (therapy sessions themselves), collaborating with the child’s other therapists, as well as providing parent education and empowerment! I am constantly talking with parents, attending IEP meetings, etc.

• What made you want to be a speech language pathologist? 
  • I took a class during my undergraduate career in American Sign Language (ASL). I loved that there was a language created to give individuals a voice, even if it wasn’t verbal speech. That’s when the power of communication and language really settled in and hit me. From that moment on, I decided I wanted to dedicate my life to helping EVERYONE find their voice.
• Do you have any particular areas of interest or specialties?
  •  I do!! I have recently begun diving into oral-motor based approaches when dealing with speech sound production and feeding skills. I think the “say and do” approach works for VERY few. Being able to provide kinetic (tactile) input and assessing and treat underlying weaknesses in terms of muscle movements, endurance, etc. is important! 
• What is your FAVORITE part of working at GiGi’s Playhouse?
  • Hands down the families! I LOVE each and every kid I work with and their families. In the 40 minutes I get to spend with these wonderful, amazing people, I truly take something away each day. I am committed to giving each participant their opportunity to shine and achieve their Best of All! 

• Do you have a favorite memory of working here?
  • There are WAY too many favorites to pinpoint just one. But I get the feels every time there is a Playhouse event and therapy is not in session…. and a little one goes to the speech room and tries to get in! I LOVE that participants want to come to GiGi’s and instead of playing, they want to work with me.
    
• What’s your favorite therapy toy/activity?
  • For my school-age and younger… BUBBLES. You can do so much with them! You can work on requesting with sign or words, expand language to form phrases (e.g. bubble up, big bubble, more bubble), target articulation sounds and respiratory support, joint attention, etc. It is always a great motivator as well! For school-age and older… I really enjoy HeadBanz. It’s a great way to work on asking and answering a variety of questions, expanding vocabulary, working on social skills (e.g. eye contact, active listening, turn-taking, etc.), rate of speaking, fluency, speech sounds, and so much more.

    The great thing about most activities is that they can be adapted in a way that works on goals! Communication is all around us and can easily be worked into a board game or pretend play! 

• Tell us some fun facts about yourself!
  • I have a crazy, silly, adorable 2-year-old kitty named Capone. 
  • I love live music! 
  • I was recently married in December!

For more information about the Amina Grace Speech and Language Program, visit our webiste at https://gigisplayhouse.org/hoffmanestates/amina-grace-speech-and-language-program