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Frequently Asked Questions

Get Informed

When can a Speech Language Therapy assessment or sessions take place?

We offer in-person sessions between 9am and 7pm weekdays for Franklin-based clients. We can offer sessions during school hours and after school. Simply Speaking SLT is also able to provide services across the country through teletherapy. We use a high-tech online platform to host 1:1 speech therapy sessions in a virtual therapy space. This means therapy can happen in the comfort of your own home, with a trained professional, without the cost of travel to and from sessions.

Where can therapy sessions happen?

  • In our Pukekohe-based clinic 

  • In your child's home

  • ​At your child's school 

  • At your child's Preschool

  • Online via Teletherapy

How long is a session?

Sessions will be approximately 45 minutes. However, this time may vary as session length will be tailored towards what would best serve the needs of your individual child on the day in which the session occurs.

What is a Speech Language Therapist?

Speech Language Therapists (SLTs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

  • Speech disorders occur when a person has difficulty producing speech sounds correctly or fluently (e.g., stuttering is a form of disfluency) or has problems with his or her voice or resonance.

  • Language disorders occur when a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings (expressive language). Language disorders may be spoken or written and may involve the form (phonology, morphology, syntax), content (semantics), and/or use (pragmatics) of language in functional and socially appropriate ways.

  • Social communication disorders occur when a person has trouble with the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication. These disorders may include problems (a) communicating for social purposes (e.g., greeting, commenting, asking questions), (b) talking in different ways to suit the listener and setting, and (c) following rules for conversation and story-telling. All individuals with autism spectrum disorder have social communication problems. Social communication disorders are also found individuals with other conditions, such as traumatic brain injury.

  • Cognitive-communication disorders include problems organizing thoughts, paying attention, remembering, planning, and/or problem-solving. These disorders usually happen as a result of a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or dementia, although they can be congenital.

  • Speech therapists can also target areas of literacy development such as phonological awareness, reading, and writing. 

  • Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) are feeding and swallowing difficulties, which may follow an illness, surgery, stroke, or injury.

  • Additionally, SLTs provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems for individuals with a variety of communication needs such as ASD or other disorders that affect persons ability to make themselves understood.

Is Speech Language Therapy appropriate for my child/loved one?

Many parents and family members choose to consult a Speech Language Therapist if they are concerned about a person's speech, language or communication development or abilities. A Speech Language Therapist often assesses a communication skills using table-top and play-based (if applicable) activities. After the assessment the SLT may suggest therapy sessions, a home program, or inform you that your child/loved one's communication is typical. 

You may choose to contact an SLT if you have concerns about any of these areas: 

  • Speech Sound Difficulties 

  • Suspected Delayed Language Development 

  • Difficulty with Reading and/or Writing

  • Communication Needs Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Communication Needs associated with Downs Syndrome 

  • Communication Needs associated with Global Developmental Delay 

  • Other Special Education Needs 

  • Augmentative & Alternative Communication Needs (AAC)

  • Social Skills

  • Other Language and Communication Difficulties

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