Frequently Asked Questions

Speech and language therapy helps children (and people of all ages) who have difficulty with communication, speech sounds, language development, or feeding and swallowing skills.

This therapy is provided by professionals called Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), who are trained to assess and treat a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders.

At Express Yourself Speech Therapy, I provide pediatric speech therapy in Portland, Oregon, helping children strengthen their communication skills through fun, play-based, evidence-driven sessions.

They’re the same thing!

A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) — also called a speech therapist — is a licensed professional who has:

• A Master’s degree in Communication Disorders or Speech-Language Pathology

• Passed a national certification exam

• Completed a 9-month Clinical Fellowship Year under supervision to earn the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)

So whether you hear speech therapist or speech-language pathologist, both refer to the same highly trained professional.

Every child develops at their own pace, but the following are general guidelines for when to check in with a speech-language pathologist:

• No babbling or cooing by 6 months

• No words by 15 months

• Fewer than 50 words by 24 months

• Not using two-word phrases by 24 months

• Difficult to understand by familiar adults by age 3

If your child meets any of these signs or you simply have concerns, reach out for a speech and language evaluation. Early support can make a big difference!

I provide assessment and treatment in a wide range of areas, including:

• Speech sound production and articulation

• Expressive and receptive language

• Social and pragmatic language

• Early play and toddler communication

• Stuttering and fluency

• Voice and resonance

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

• Feeding and swallowing

• Executive functioning and memory

• Vocabulary, grammar, and phonological awareness

Speech therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Sessions are designed around age, goals, interests, and real-life needs.

Depending on the individual, therapy may include:

• Play-based activities and movement

• Games, structured tasks, and problem-solving

• Conversation practice and social communication support

• Academic and classroom-based language skills

• Real-world scenarios (presentations, self-advocacy, peer interactions)

• Collaboration with families, educators, and other providers

For adolescents and teens, therapy often includes explicit discussion about why therapy is helpful, goal-setting that feels relevant, and strategies that can be applied directly to school, social situations, and daily life.

Not at all!

Speech therapy helps with so much more than pronunciation or stuttering.
SLPs work on communication skills at every stage—from toddlers learning to talk, to older children working on reading, storytelling, or executive functioning.

I also work with children on the autism spectrum, those with Down syndrome, and children who benefit from support with social communication, sensory-based feeding, and language comprehension.

If you’re unsure whether speech therapy could help your child, please reach out — I’m happy to talk through your questions.

Every child is unique! The length of therapy depends on the type and severity of the speech or language challenge, motivation, consistency, and practice at home.

Progress happens fastest when families participate in home programs and practice between sessions. I’ll guide you with simple, fun activities you can do at home to keep learning going all week long.

Most children attend speech therapy once per week, though some benefit from twice-weekly sessions depending on their goals and availability.

If you’d like to discuss increasing session frequency, we can always talk about what works best for your child’s needs and your family’s schedule.

Parents and caregivers play a vital role in progress!

At the end of each session, I’ll review what we worked on and give you simple home practice strategies to keep your child learning. Regular practice helps your child generalize new skills and build confidence.

Feeding disorders involve difficulty preparing or managing food in the mouth — such as chewing, sucking, or swallowing safely.

Signs can include:

• Trouble picking up or moving food to the mouth

• Difficulty closing lips to keep food in

• Excessive drooling or messy eating

• Picky eating or refusal of certain textures

• Tongue thrust (immature swallow pattern)

As a speech-language pathologist, I’m trained to assess and treat feeding and swallowing difficulties through gentle, evidence-based techniques.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is an excellent resource. Visit www.asha.org for reliable information on speech, language, and hearing development, as well as tips on finding a certified SLP in your area.

I understand that speech therapy services can be an investment. My practice is private pay, but if your insurance plan includes out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement using a Superbill.

If you’re facing financial hardship, please reach out. I’m happy to discuss lower-cost options or flexible scheduling to help your child receive the support they need.

Every child’s communication journey is unique.
➡️ Contact Larissa for a free phone consultation or to schedule an evaluation.