MARIETTA PEDIATRIC THERAPY
Specialized In-Clinic and Teletherapy Evaluations and Treatment
At Talk About Therapy, we are committed to providing effective, personalized, and sustainable therapy to enhance communication and feeding skills for children and families. We treat each family with the utmost care, fostering a strong, functional foundation for long-term success in these areas. We offer clinic-based services including Early Intervention, Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Feeding Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Tongue-Tie Therapy to families throughout the Marietta area and surrounding communities, including North Atlanta, Buckhead, East Cobb, Decatur, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Vinings, Suwanee, Chamblee, Druid Hills, Tucker, and more. Our licensed therapists provide individualized care in areas such as pediatric speech therapy, toddler speech therapy, pediatric occupational and physical therapy, tongue and lip tie interventions, feeding therapy, and guidance for challenges like breastfeeding issues and post-tongue tie release care.
SERVICES
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy is a specialized service aimed at assessing and treating a child’s ability to communicate effectively, including both verbal and nonverbal language. It focuses on two main components: 1) coordinating the mouth and muscles to produce sounds, words, and sentences, and 2) developing the ability to understand and express language.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy (OT) is an intervention service that evaluates and treats various skills essential for daily functioning. It focuses on improving fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, self-regulation, handwriting, feeding, texture aversions, and social skills. OT supports functional outcomes in everyday activities, enhancing overall independence and quality of life.
Feeding Therapy
Pediatric feeding therapy addresses a range of challenges, including breastfeeding issues, increasing oral intake, food aversions, strengthening oral motor muscles, and transitioning from tube feeding to oral feeding. Sessions, often conducted during mealtime, are tailored to support both babies and older children in developing healthier feeding habits.
Tongue Tie & Lip Tie Therapy
Tongue ties occur when a tight band of tissue restricts the tongue’s movement, affecting breastfeeding, eating, swallowing, and speech. We provide pre-intervention evaluations, guidance for managing tongue and lip ties, and post-surgery therapy to support recovery and improve function.
Physical Therapy
Pediatric physical therapy evaluates and treats gross motor challenges in infants, children, and adolescents using play-based exercises, manual therapy, and family education. The goal is to promote physical development, enhance motor skills, and help children achieve greater independence in daily activities.
TESTIMONIALS
As a fellow Speech Pathologist I found her to be very knowledgeable and professional, but also personable. She offered options for virtual and in person sessions and worked her hardest to accommodate our busy schedule. Niti provided videos of exercises taught during sessions to reference as needed. She was patient when working with my son and genuinely invested in his progress. I would recommend Niti again and again!
My son would have 9-13 oz/day. He was admitted to CHOA Scottish Rite. The ENT, at CHOA, checked my son to see if he had a lip or tongue tie. The ENT specialist did not see a tie and advised me to continue follow up outpatient care with a speech therapist for my 3-month-old son.
After discharge, I reached out to Niti from Talk About Therapy. She opened up her schedule and was able to see us the day my son was discharged. In her initial evaluation, she was able to see both a lip/tongue tie. She educated my wife and I on how to find a solution to our son’s symptoms: difficulty bottle-feeding, gassy, not latching, reflux, clicking when eating and prolonged feeding time (resulted in 1-2 oz in an hour).
Niti has been helping our son for a last couple of weeks. He has gained a pound in just two weeks. Niti has ALWAYS answered our questions. Her techniques have worked for us. If it wasn’t for her, our son would probably be on a NG tube. She is such an amazing therapist and I highly recommend her.
Niti and Rachel are amazing! They are both caring, professional and so loving. I already see an improvement with my son’s speech, thanks to Rachel. My son adores Rachel!
Niti is very professional and you can tell she loves what she does! My daughter looks forward to speech every week and she has made a lot of progress in the short time that we have been working with Niti. My son is starting to open up now in his sessions as well. Would recommend to anyone looking for a quality speech therapist.
Niti has changed my entire family’s life for the better! We drove over an hour to take our kids to see her for pre and post op therapy when they had their tongue ties revised on the recommendation of a pediatric dentist who specialized in tongue ties. It was so worth it! She was extremely knowledgeable, professional and compassionate. I noticed a huge difference almost immediately but definitely by the end of 6 weeks the baby went from gagging so badly he hardly ate any solids to completely normal developmentally and happily gaining weight. I can’t say enough good things about her and would recommend anyone who was struggling with feeding their baby to go see her immediately!
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FAQ’s
WHEN TO SEEK A SPEECH THERAPIST?
You should contact a speech therapist if you have concerns about your child in any of the following areas:
- Speech delays
- Developmental delays
- Articulation issues
- Difficulty during mealtimes
- Eating and swallowing challenges
- Trouble with bottle-feeding or breastfeeding
- Suspected tongue or lip tie
- Post-procedure therapy following a Frenulectomy or Frenectomy
WHAT DO SPEECH DELAYS REFER TO?
Speech delays refer to a lag in the development or use of speech skills in young children. These delays can affect a child’s ability to express or understand language, as well as their pronunciation of words.
HOW CAN A SPEECH THERAPIST ASSIST?
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
- Your child is having difficulty pronouncing speech sounds
…a speech therapist can help.
WHEN SHOULD I SEEK AN EVALUATION?
If you have concerns:
If you’ve noticed any of the behaviors discussed, contact us for a consultation or evaluation. For additional red flags to look for in your infant or child, please reach out.
If you suspect a tongue or lip tie is affecting your child’s eating or weight gain, we can refer you to expert providers for procedures like a Frenulectomy or Frenectomy. Our trusted specialists will provide the information you need to determine the best course of action.
If a tongue or lip tie may be impacting your child’s speech clarity, we can help assess whether a Frenulectomy or Frenectomy would be beneficial. Additionally, we offer speech therapy for kids and toddlers to teach exercises and communication strategies that can support your child’s development.
WHAT IS EARLY INTERVENTION AND WHY IS IT CRUCIAL?
Early intervention and identification are crucial for your child’s progress and development. Research shows that the earlier a child is evaluated and receives services, the better their outcomes. Young children’s brains are more adaptable, making it easier for them to learn and benefit from therapy techniques.
- If you notice communication, understanding, or feeding difficulties, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Delays in swallowing or feeding can impact your child’s nutrition and overall health. Early support helps address these issues more effectively.
WHAT DOES PEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ENTAIL?
For children and youth, “occupations” refer to activities that help them develop life skills, engage in creative expression, and thrive in daily life. These include school tasks, play, self-care, and caring for others. Play, in particular, is central to an occupational therapist’s treatment approach for children. It is through play that children develop physical coordination, emotional maturity, social skills, and self-confidence to explore new experiences and environments.
Recommended interventions are based on a deep understanding of typical development and how disabilities, illnesses, or impairments affect a child’s development, play, learning, and overall ability to perform daily activities.
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY CHILD NEEDS AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EVALUATION?
An occupational therapy evaluation may be helpful if your child:
- Seeks excessive sensory input (e.g., needs more physical play, toe-walking, struggles with personal space boundaries)
- Avoids sensory input (e.g., covers ears, avoids certain textures, gets distressed by messy hands or body)
- Has difficulty completing two-handed tasks or manipulating small objects
- Struggles with handwriting or holding a crayon or pencil properly
- Shows a decreased attention span, increased impulsivity, or difficulty sitting still
- Frequently falls or bumps into objects
- Takes longer than expected to complete simple tasks
- Has trouble transitioning, shows inflexible thinking, or has low frustration tolerance
WHAT ARE ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (ADLS)?
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are everyday tasks that we often take for granted, such as playing with toys, brushing teeth, and dressing independently. Many children, however, face challenges in completing these activities. Occupational therapists identify the underlying issues that make these tasks difficult for the child.
Common ADLs that may require support include:
- Feeding
- Grooming
- Dressing
- Toileting
- Sleep
- Social participation
- School skills
WHAT DOES PEDIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPY INVOLVE?
Pediatric physical therapy focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and treating gross motor disorders in infants, children, and adolescents. Using techniques such as play-based exercises, manual therapy, and adaptive equipment, pediatric physical therapists help children with conditions like developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy. Working closely with families and healthcare teams, they develop personalized treatment plans to maximize each child’s physical function and overall well-being.
HOW CAN I DETERMINE IF MY CHILD REQUIRES A PHYSICAL THERAPY EVALUATION?
A physical therapy evaluation may be helpful if your child:
- Has delayed motor milestones
- Struggles with coordination
- Experiences limited range of motion
- Displays unusual posture or gait
- Has sustained an injury
- Faces developmental or neurological concerns
We can help!
If you are noticing any of the concerns mentioned above, or if your child is experiencing difficulties with feeding, swallowing, or communication, please visit our services page to learn more about how our licensed experts can support your child and family.
