Speech Therapy at PPEC: 5 Ways It Helps Your Child Find Their Voice

Many children with complex medical conditions or special needs struggle with communication. Neurological conditions and other disabilities can make it challenging to understand others or speak clearly.

Speech therapy is a type of medical therapy that offers a proven way to address these challenges by improving language comprehension and supporting verbal, nonverbal, and alternative communication methods. 

At Little Angels PPEC, with locations in Longwood, Orlando, and Apopka, Florida, our team offers speech therapy as part of our prescribed pediatric extended care (PPEC) program.

This blog highlights five benefits of speech therapy, so you can determine whether it may be right for your child.

1. Builds communication skills

Children with autism and other conditions that affect communication often struggle with social engagement cues, such as eye contact, using hand gestures, and making sounds and vocalizations.

Speech therapy helps children develop these skills in a safe and supportive environment. We have certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs) on staff who have years of training teaching children and teens with complex medical needs to communicate effectively and intentionally.

2. Supports receptive and expressive communication

Communication is broken down into two categories:

Receptive communication

This involves understanding what others are saying, such as words, instructions, and questions. 

Expressive communication

This involves using words, sounds, or physical gestures, like hand motions, to communicate needs.

Many children and teens with complex medical conditions or special needs struggle with one or both of these skill sets. Speech therapy provides lessons on both, so your child can better understand others and learn how to advocate for themselves.

3. Develops oral motor and feeding skills

Neuromuscular disorders, like cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, can impact your child’s ability to chew and swallow or speak clearly. 

Speech therapy often uses specific exercises to help strengthen the muscles in the mouth, tongue, and throat. It can also improve your child’s posture when eating and provide strategies to lower the risk of choking and aspiration.

4. Introduces alternative communication methods 

Sometimes, children with autism or complex neurological disorders can't speak at all or make sounds that are difficult to interpret. 

Alternative communication methods (AAC) provide a way to supplement or entirely replace written or spoken language.

Depending on your child’s needs, this may include:

• Sign language
• Hand or body gestures
• Facial expressions
• Dedicated speech-generating devices (SGDs)
• Pre-recorded words or phrases
• Electronic tablets equipped with specialized apps

Since communication needs often change as children grow and develop, we typically introduce several of these techniques during speech therapy.

5. Builds confidence through regular interactions

Children who have difficulty communicating may feel frustrated or angry, which can contribute to behavioral outbursts or emotional challenges like depression and anxiety.

Our medical daycare provides a welcoming and supportive environment for your child to practice their communication skills. We often incorporate speech therapy into our group classes so children can interact with their peers and build their skills over time.

See if your child may benefit from speech therapy

If you’ve noticed that your child struggles to communicate or express themselves, speech therapy may support their growth and development. To learn more, contact the nearest Little Angels Pediatric Extended Care office in Orlando, Apopka, or Longwood, Florida. 

Call or book your appointment online today.