ATLANTA PEDIATRIC THERAPY
Expert in-clinic and teletherapy Evaluations and Treatment
We founded Talk About Therapy because we believe in and love providing intuitive, effective, and sustainable therapy to our patients and their families to improve their feeding and communication skills. We pride ourselves in treating our families like they are our own. Our philosophy is to help our patients and their families build a strong, functional foundation towards communication and feeding, and slowly build upon that foundation to create lasting results.
We offer clinic-based Early Intervention, Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy, Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Feeding Therapy, Pediatric Physical Therapy, Psychological Services, Autism Evaluations, and Tongue-tie Therapy to families in the Metro Atlanta area, including: North Atlanta, Buckhead, East Cobb, Decatur, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Vinings, Suwanee, Chamblee, Druid Hills, Tucker and Marietta, Georgia.
Our licensed therapists are here to support your child and family with the best individualized care through services like speech therapy for kids, speech therapy for toddlers, pediatric occupational therapy, pediatric physical therapy, tongue tie and lip tie intervention, Psychologist assessments, Autism Evaluation, Autism Diagnosis, feeding therapy, and to guide you through challenging experiences such as breastfeeding problems, and knowing what to expect after tongue tie release.
SERVICES
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy is an intervention service that focuses evaluation & treatment of improving a child’s speech & abilities to understand & express language, including nonverbal language. It includes two components: 1) coordinating the mouth to produce sounds to form words & sentences and 2) understanding & expressing language.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy is an intervention service that focuses on evaluation and treatment to improve fine motor skills, gross motor skills, sensory processing, self-regulation, hand-writing skills, texture aversions, feeding skills, activities of daily life, and social skills. OT is able to promote functional outcomes in many areas of life.
Feeding Therapy
Pediatric feeding therapy can address many challenges that you face including but not limited to: breastfeeding issues, increasing oral intake, food aversions, strengthening the oral motor muscles, and moving from tube feeding to oral intake. Pediatric feeding therapy and feeding therapy for babies typically takes place during mealtime.
Tongue Tie & Lip Tie Therapy
Tongue ties occur when an unusually strong band of tissue tethers the tongue to the floor of the mouth, and can interfere with breastfeeding, eating, swallowing and speaking in children. We offer pre-intervention evaluation and guidance for tongue and lip ties and therapy post surgery
Physical Therapy
Pediatric physical therapy are intervention services that focus on evaluation and treatment of gross movement disorders in infants, children, and adolescents through play-based exercises, manual therapy, and family education. The primary goal is to enhance physical development, improve motor skills, and support children in achieving greater independence in their daily activities.
Pediatric Autism Evaluations
Pediatric psychology specializes in assessment and treatment of emotional, behavioral, and developmental issues of children and adolescents. Pediatric psychological services help determine if a child meets the criteria for autism through an autism evaluation utilizing the highest standards in diagnostic assessment. Pediatric psychological services can also provide evaluations and diagnosis for other neurodevelopmental disorders. Beyond diagnosing, the evaluation process identifies a child’s specific strengths and weaknesses, guiding tailored recommendations for treatment and intervention.
TESTIMONIALS
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FAQ’s
WHEN SHOULD I SEEK OUT A SPEECH THERAPIST?
- Speech Delays
- Developmental Delays
- Articulation Concerns
- Difficulty during mealtimes
- Difficulty with eating and swallowing
- Bottle-feeding and breastfeeding trouble
- If you believe your child might present with a tongue or lip tie
- Therapy Guidance following a Frenulectomy or Frenectomy tongue or lip procedure
WHAT ARE SPEECH DELAYS?
Speech delays refer to a delay in the development or use of speech mechanisms by young children. Speech delays can manifest in a child’s expression of language, a child’s understanding of language, or a child’s pronunciation of language.
HOW CAN A SPEECH THERAPIST HELP?
At Talk About Therapy we want you to know you are not alone.
- IF...
- Your newborn won’t latch,
- Your baby is fussy at the breast,
- Your baby is fussy while nursing,
- You feel nipple pain while breastfeeding,
- Your child has difficulty touching, smelling, or eating certain food textures,
- Your child does not eat or protests eating during mealtime,
- Your child is having difficulty communicating or being understood,
- Is having difficulty pronouncing speech sounds,
WHEN SHOULD I SEEK HELP/EVALUATION?
If you are concerned:
- If you have noticed one or more of any the behaviors discussed, contact us for a consultation or evaluation. For more detailed red flags you can look for in your infant or child,
- If you suspect a tongue or lip tie may be interfering with your child’s eating or weight gain, we can refer you to expert providers of intervention procedures such as a Frenulectomy or Frenectomy tongue procedure. Our trusted experts can provide you with the information you need to decide if this route is best for your child.
- If you suspect a tongue or lip tie could be interfering with your child’s ability to clearly communicate, we can help you decide whether or not a Frenulectomy or Frenectomy tongue procedure would be beneficial. We can also provide speech therapy for kids or speech therapy for toddlers to teach your child exercises and speaking strategies to compensate for the difference in their lip or tongue.
WHAT IS EARLY INTERVENTION AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Why early intervention and identification are crucial for your child’s progress and development:
- Whenever a child shows signs of difficulty communicating, understanding, or being understood, research recommends that the earlier a child is evaluated and receives services the better. The younger the child, the easier it is for their brain to learn and adapt to the techniques taught in therapy. To learn about communication milestones to look for in your child.
- Difficulties involving swallowing and feeding could affect your child’s nutrition. We recommend seeking help as soon as you are aware of any concerns.
WHAT IS PEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?
For children and youth, occupations are activities that enable them to learn and develop life skills (school activities), be creative and/or derive enjoyment (play), and thrive (self-care and care for others). Play is the media most often used in the Occupational therapist’s treatment of children. It is a child’s “job” or “occupation” to play to develop physical coordination, emotional maturity, social skills to interact with other children, and self-confidence to try new experiences and explore new environments. Recommended interventions are based on a thorough understanding of typical development and the impact of disability, illness, and impairment on the individual child’s development, play, learning, and overall occupational performance.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD NEEDS AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EVALUATION?
An occupational therapy evaluation may be beneficial if your child:
- Seeks sensory input (e.g. increased need for physical play, toe-walking, difficulty understanding physical boundaries with peers or adults)
- Avoids sensory input (e.g. covers ears, avoids clothing textures, distressed when hands or body gets messy)
- Demonstrates difficulty completing two-handed tasks or difficulty manipulating small toys
- Has messy handwriting or demonstrates difficulty holding a crayon or pencil
- Demonstrates a decreased attention span, increased impulsivity, or difficulty sitting still
- Falls down often or frequently bumps into objects
- Requires increased time to complete simple tasks
- Demonstrates difficulty transitioning, inflexible thinking, or decreased frustration tolerance.
WHAT ARE ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIFE (ADL’S)?
Activities of daily living (ADL) are tasks that we do every day. ADLs are most often actions that we take for granted, like playing with toys, brushing teeth, and dressing independently. However, many children have difficulties completing these activities. Occupational therapists determine the core problems that make the tasks difficult for the child.
- Feeding
- Grooming
- Dressing
- Toileting
- Sleep
- Social Participation
- School Skills
What is pediatric physical therapy?
Pediatric physical therapy is a specialized field dedicated to assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of gross movement disorders in infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatric physical therapists use a variety of techniques, including play-based exercises, manual therapy, and adaptive equipment, to support children with conditions such as developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy. By working closely with families and other healthcare professionals, they create individualized treatment plans that address each child’s unique needs, helping them achieve their highest potential in physical function and overall well-being.
How do I know if my child needs a physical therapy evaluation?
A physical therapy evaluation may be beneficial if your child:
- Has delayed motor milestones
- Difficulty with coordination
- Limited range of motion
- Unusual posture or gait
- Injury
- Developmental or neurological concerns
What does a psychologist do to determine if my child has Autism?
Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves a comprehensive evaluation process conducted by our inhouse psychologist. The process generally includes several key steps:
- Initial Consultation
- Parent/Caregiver Interview: A thorough discussion with parents or caregivers to gather information about the child’s developmental history, behaviors, and any concerns. This often includes questions about milestones, communication, social interactions, and any unusual behaviors or sensory sensitivities.
- Developmental and Behavioral Assessment
- Clinical Observation: Direct observation of the child’s behavior, including social interactions, communication patterns, and play. The psychologist assesses how the child engages with others and responds to various stimuli.
- Standardized Testing
- Diagnostic Tools: Use of standardized assessment tools designed to evaluate autism-specific behaviors and developmental levels.
- Feedback and Diagnosis
- Discussion of Findings: The psychologist reviews the results of the assessments and observations with the parents or caregivers. They discuss the diagnosis, explain how it was determined, and outline the child’s strengths and areas for improvement.
- Recommendations and Support
- Treatment and Intervention Plan: Providing recommendations for interventions and therapies, such as behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and educational support. The plan may also include referrals to other specialists or support services.
Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for developing an effective intervention plan that supports the child’s developmental needs and enhances their quality of life.
What is autism?
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by a range of symptoms that affect social interaction, communication, and behavior. The term “spectrum” reflects the wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms that individuals with autism can experience.
What are some key features of autism?
- Social Communication Challenges:
- Difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication.
- Challenges in understanding and responding to social cues and emotions.
- Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships.
- Repetitive Behaviors:
- Engaging in repetitive movements or speech (e.g., hand-flapping, repeating phrases).
- Insistence on sameness or routines and resistance to changes in routine.
- Intense focus on specific interests or objects.
- Sensory Sensitivities:
- Unusual responses to sensory stimuli, such as being over- or under-sensitive to sounds, lights, textures, or smells.
- Developmental Delays:
- Delays in speech and language development, motor skills, and cognitive abilities.
- Variation in developmental milestones compared to typically developing peers.
- Unique Strengths and Abilities:
- Some individuals with autism may have exceptional abilities or skills in specific areas, such as mathematics, music, or memory.
What do our psychologist appointments look like?
Our aim during the assessment process is to provide unwavering support to our clients and their families, whether they are receiving a diagnosis for the first time or undergoing an updated evaluation. At Talk About Therapy, we are dedicated to helping individuals and families gain a deeper understanding of their own or their child’s condition.
- Call Talk About Therapy (770) 927-7424 to schedule an appointment
- Complete and submit your paperwork at least 2 days prior to the scheduled appointment
- 1st Appointment
- 1 hour Diagnostic Interview with Child and Parent
- 2nd Appointment
- 2-5 hours of Formal Diagnostic Testing with Child
- Follow-Up Appointment
- May be completed at 2nd appointment in-person or scheduled for another day virtually based on provider recommendation
We can help!
If you are experiencing or observing one or more of the above, or feeding, swallowing, or communication difficulties in your child, please visit our services page to learn more about how our licensed experts can assist your child and family.
