FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
You’ve Got Questions - We’ve Got Answers
WHAT IS SPEECH?
The sounds we make are put together to form words. Speech is the physical act of verbal communication. This includes articulation, voice, and fluency.
Articulation: the production of sounds using the jaw, lips, cheeks, and tongue
Voice: pitch and volume
Fluency: accuracy, rate, and expression
WHAT IS LANGUAGE?
Language is a method of communication using words (spoken (verbal or using a speech-generating device), written or signed (ASL)) to express one’s thoughts, ideas, feelings, and more. It is the ability to learn and store new vocabulary, communicate, and receive messages (i.e., understand language).
Expressive language is language use
&
Receptive language is language comprehension (understanding)
*This includes the ability to use and understand grammar "rules" (e.g., using past tense).
WHAT IS AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION (AAC)?
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a method of communication that can be used to supplement, support (augmentative) or replace (alternative) speech. AAC can be a reliable and effective method of communication for those who have difficulty communicating via speech due to congenital (present from birth) or acquired (developed) disorders. Use can be temporary or permanent, and methods include unaided AAC (no physical aid or tool) or aided AAC (use of an aid or tool). Unaided AAC are non-spoken means of communication, such as: body language, facial expression(s), gesture(s), and manual signs). Aided AAC is a method that uses external aids or tools, such as: symbol boards, pictures, objects, letter charts, speech-generating devices or AAC applications.
WHAT IS PRAGMATICS (SOCIAL COMMUNICATION) ?
Pragmatics is communication for social purposes. Social communication is what helps a child build social relationships with others as well as supports their ability to work with others. Social communication therapy focuses on language use (e.g., greetings, requesting, reporting); being able to adapt to the situation or our target listener (e.g., speaking differently to a peer versus an adult; inhibiting a thought when a teacher is speaking); and adhering to unwritten conversational "rules," such as: turning one's body towards the speaker, use and understanding of gestures, allowing others to share their thoughts and ideas, topic initiation and maintenance, allowing others an appropriate amount of personal space, understanding the implied meaning behind figurative language or tone of voice, and more. Following social "rules" and being able to adapt to a situation requires so much more than just understanding and using verbal and non-verbal language.
WHAT IS JOINT ATTENTION AND ATTUNEMENT?
The ability to initiate and maintain eye gaze, as well as share attention with a person, objects, or noise/event, is referred to as "joint attention." Joint attention is a major building block of early language development, social interaction, and building relationships. Joint attention, such as following a shift in eye gaze or following a gesture (point), emerges between 6 and 12 months of age and is well established by 18 months.
​
Attunement is emotional connectedness (exchange of feelings, bond formation). It supports the fact that all behavior is a form of communication, and children should be met where they are developmentally. It builds trust and bonds in social relationships.
WHAT IS EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING?
Executive functioning is the cognitive ability to:
-sustain focus
-shift attention
-shift tasks
-initiate
-plan
-organize
-set goals
-manage time
-prioritize
-monitor progress
-evaluate results
-solve problems
-apply prior knowledge
-use working memory
-ask for help
-exhibit flexibility
-control impulses
-regulate emotions
-decision making
-monitor behaviors
​
Without many of these skills, it is difficult for a child to: build and maintain social relationships with others; build independence; carry out activities of daily living; have academic success; build vocational skills; and much more.
If you still have further questions regarding our services, please contact us at FUNctionalSLPpllc@gmail.com