Local Business Spotlight: Sounds & Smiles
Does my child talk enough?
Are they supposed to have a lisp at this age?
Why can’t other people understand them when they speak?
These are questions that Sounds & Smiles wants to answer.
My interest in speech therapy began when my younger sister couldn’t say her /R/ sound. I could see her frustration and embarrassment when she needed to repeat herself or wasn’t understood. When I had children, my son had frequent ear infections and later required tubes. This delayed his speech and language development, which gave me insight as both a professional and a mother.
I’ve been a speech-language pathologist for over 13 years and have worked in a variety of settings: public schools, private schools, outpatient pediatric clinics, and, most recently, teletherapy. Over the years, I found that my passion is working with children one-on-one to tailor sessions to their individual goals. I especially enjoy working with language delays and articulation (speech sound) impairments. In my clinical experience, working on sounds before they progress to a more severe level can result in quicker remediation-- bad habits are hard to break! Similarly, focusing on language skills in the early years can reduce frustration for both kids and parents!
There is a demand for speech therapy in the Cedar Rapids area. This can result in long waiting lists or appointment times that don’t fit into a family’s schedule. School-age children can have speech sound errors but may not qualify for services in the academic setting. I started Sounds & Smiles with the desire to give families access to private speech therapy in a way that works best for them. I accept private payment as well as HSA/FlexSpend cards. This is a great option for high deductible plans and for faster initiation of speech services. I feel confident providing speech therapy services in-person while following COVID-19 precautions. I also offer teletherapy for families preferring that option.
Some choices include:
-Therapy at a preschool, daycare, or private school (with permission from the location). This is a wonderful way to eliminate extra appointments during the week and see children in their natural environment.
-Therapy at locations based on the family’s comfort level:
-My NE Cedar Rapids home office
-The child’s home
-Hiawatha Public Library
-Teletherapy. I use a platform that is fun and engaging.
Sounds & Smiles was named by my 7 year old son because, “You work on sounds and smile a lot.” The name captures my goal of helping children communicate effectively while ensuring they feel valued.
Contact information:
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