Brooklyn Letters (Online Speech Language Therapy, Literacy & Math Tutoring)
1139 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn
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We were delighted with Christie. First, and most importantly, our son made great strides under her guidance. So great, that we felt he no longer needed help! She was incredibly patient and kind with him and our son really responded to … More her. Christie was also great with me and my wife. She provided thorough and informative updates on our son's progress and which exercises she was using with him, so we could reinforce what she was teaching him. All in all, we had a fabulous experience with Christie and would highly recommend her. -
Our experience with Theo was terrific. Theo was great with my son. He developed a positive relationship with him based on sincerity, respect, trust and a deep personal connection. In their lessons, Theo was encouraging, creative and kind. … More He helped our son understand how to differentiate the sounds he made when he spoke, and gave him great exercises to practice every week between lessons. Our son was sorry to have the lessons come to an end, but recognized that Theo had helped him as much as possible and it was time for him to stop. Theo explained to him (and us) how to keep working to get the last 5%, and encouraged him to keep working on the exercises on his own. I have recommended Theo to another parent who noticed my son's improvement and inquired for her own son.
We are all grateful to have gotten to know Theo, and we greatly appreciate all the work he did to help our son. -
Theo is a wonderful Clinton Hill speech therapist. We were really pleased with him. Our son showed drastic improvement, not only in his speech but in his confidence. -
Alexa has been an enthusiastic, reliable, well prepared and caring teacher for our 6 year old daughter. She has been able to improve and increase our daughter's confidence lesson by lesson with patience and competence; through varied … More and productive didactic practice. Alexa has engaged our daughter in several activities that always kept her motivated and eager to learn literacy. My wife and I, both of us are educators, feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to observe Alexa's pedagogical skills. Alexa has had a big impact on our daughter literacy growth. Thank you Brooklyn Letters! -
We were absolutely DELIGHTED with Marsha's services. She was wonderful. We found her to be kind, fun, engaging, very knowledgeable. She provided us with clear instructions and additional written handouts each week. She engaged our … More son with different techniques and toys, and showed us how to use her techniques when we were interacting with him. I actually just texted her on Saturday - Our son finally said "more" - one of the target words we had been working on with her. It was a total joy to hear, and I had to share it with her - she wrote back immediately to congratulate us. I am so appreciative of her expertise, and wish we could have seen her for longer. I recommended her to another family in our neighborhood who is looking for a speech therapist.
TOP IN-PERSON PRIVATE PAY 1:1 SPEECH THERAPISTS FOR SELECTIVE MUTISM
Understanding Selective Mutism
Selective mutism, often misinterpreted, creates hurdles to verbal expression in particular social contexts despite an individual’s ability to communicate effectively elsewhere. It’s imperative to grasp the nuances of this condition; it’s rooted in anxiety rather than defiance, forming the foundation for targeted therapeutic interventions, where speech pathologists play a pivotal role in creating tailored strategies to foster communication breakthroughs. Our speech pathologists travel throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx.
Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Selective Mutism
Identifying signs of selective mutism, whether they are subtle cues or more overt indicators, plays a crucial role in enabling early intervention. The ability to spot these manifestations across diverse settings is instrumental in paving the path toward providing appropriate support and fostering understanding for individuals grappling with this condition.
Individuals with selective mutism may demonstrate the following characteristics and behaviors:
At Home:
- Limited or no verbal communication in specific situations, especially when there are visitors or unfamiliar individuals present
- Engaging in non-verbal communication, such as nodding, pointing, or using gestures instead of speaking
- Speaking comfortably and freely with immediate family members but exhibiting silence or hesitation in interactions beyond the family circle
- Reluctance to speak even in familiar settings, particularly when asked direct questions by non-family members
At School and in the Community:
- Persistent silence or extreme reluctance to speak in school settings, including refusal to participate in classroom discussions or activities that require verbal communication
- Limited interactions with peers, often preferring solitary activities or engaging in non-verbal interactions.
- Being perceived as shy, aloof, or withdrawn by teachers and peers due to their consistent lack of verbal communication
- Demonstrating excellent communication skills and verbal ability outside school or in familiar community settings
Recognizing these signs across home, school, and community environments can significantly aid in early identification and appropriate support for individuals with selective mutism.
Selective Mutism generally requires multidisciplinary care:
1. Anxiety Disorder: SLPs collaborate with psychologists or psychiatrists to address the child’s underlying anxiety disorders. They create a comfortable environment for the child, crucial for encouraging communication in those with selective mutism.
2. Poor Family Relationships: In cases where family dynamics might impact the child’s condition, SLPs work with family therapists. They help improve family communication and relationships, fostering a supportive environment to aid the child’s communication efforts.
3. Untreated Psychological Issues: SLPs often work in tandem with mental health professionals to identify and address any coexisting psychological issues. This collaborative approach ensures a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses both communication and psychological aspects of selective mutism.
4. Family History of Anxiety Disorders: Understanding and addressing a family history of anxiety disorders is important. SLPs, along with psychologists, guide families. They offer strategies to manage anxiety, which is essential in creating a supportive environment for the child.
5. A Traumatic Experience: When a traumatic experience triggers selective mutism, SLPs collaborate with psychologists who specialize in trauma. This partnership is vital to provide care that addresses the child’s emotional and communication needs, ensuring a holistic approach to treatment.
In summary, SLPs play a crucial role in the multidisciplinary approach to managing selective mutism, working closely with other professionals to address this condition’s various underlying and contributing factors.
Treatment Options and Techniques
Treatment options for selective mutism often involve speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working within their scope or as part of an interprofessional team. These options can also require additional training for comprehensive care. Some of these approaches include:
- Behavioral Therapies: Professionals may use behavioral techniques like systematic desensitization or stimulus fading to expose individuals to anxiety-provoking situations, promoting verbal expression gradually.
- Language and Communication Interventions: SLPs can work on language comprehension and expression skills, offering strategies to improve communication in various settings.
- Parent and Educator Training: SLPs provide guidance and training to parents, educators, and peers, enabling them to create supportive environments and implement communication strategies.
- Collaboration within Interprofessional Teams: SLPs collaborate with psychologists, educators, occupational therapists, and mental health professionals to provide a holistic approach to treatment.
- Play-Based Interventions: SLPs utilize play-based therapy to facilitate communication in a relaxed and comfortable setting, encouraging verbalization through engaging activities.
While SLPs play a crucial role in these treatment options, some approaches might require additional training or collaboration with other professionals to ensure a comprehensive and effective intervention for individuals with selective mutism.
How Can Our NYC Selective Mutism Speech Therapy Help?
At Brooklyn Letters, our speech language pathologists (SLPs) are pivotal in supporting individuals managing selective mutism. They conduct thorough diagnostic assessments, curate personalized therapies utilizing techniques like desensitization and play-based interventions, and focus on enhancing language and communication skills.
Collaborating closely with families and educators, our SLPs provide tailored education and training, fostering a supportive environment crucial for progress in addressing selective mutism. Their expertise guides communication breakthroughs and empowers individuals on their unique journey toward verbal expression and confidence.
We travel throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx, offering a free consultation and meet-and-greets with our staff. We prioritize flexibility over contracts. Embrace a pay-as-you-go approach and select session times that seamlessly align with your family’s lifestyle.
