Specialties
From clinical experience, courses, conferences, and leading programs
Causes: genetic and neurological differences.
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Approximately 5% of children will experience an episode of stuttering.
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Stuttering often starts in childhood, around age 2-5.​​
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There are often negative emotions related to stuttering, such as shame, guilt, embarrassment, and frustration.
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Stuttering might sound like repetitions of syllables and/or sounds, prolongations, blocks before or in between words
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Someone with apraxia of speech might not be able to move their lips or tongue in the right ways, even though their muscles are not weak.
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Signs Include:​
Trouble putting sounds and syllables together
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Varying tones and rhythms during speaking
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Producing the same word differently every time
Groping movements of the jaw, lips, or tongue when speaking
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Vowel Distortions in speech
Autism Spectrum Disorder
A speech therapist can help you better understand your child and promote communication by helping them:
Respond to their name
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Understand body language
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Understand social cues
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Understand abstract language
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Initiate conversations
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Maintain joint attention
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Participate in urn-taking during play
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Engage in play
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Understand emotions
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Use gestures or non-verbal language
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Tethered Oral Tissue
Tethered oral tissues can include lip tie, buccal (i.e. cheeks) tie, and tongue tie. Tethered oral tissue can restrict range of motion of oral structures.
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Tethered oral tissues can Impact:
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Speech sounds: /s, z, t, d, n, l, r, sh, ch, j, th/
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Breathing: mouth breathing instead of nasal breathing
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Snoring
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Chewing
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Swallowing
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Picky eating
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Cognition: ADHD symptoms
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Infant feeding/latching
Sonia uses somatic healing for teens and adults to address emotional aspects of stuttering.​
Sonia is PROMPT level 1 trained, which is a successful tool in treating apraxia and articulation errors.
Sonia has training in sensory integration to help your child achieve their highest learning potential while staying regulated.
Pediatric Language
Pediatric language can include one or more of the following:
Using correct grammar
Increasing sentence length
Understanding and using age-appropriate vocabulary
Asking "wh" (who, what, where, when) questions.
Sequencing and describing images, stories, or events
Understanding and responding to questions