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, Psychological Services, Autism Evaluations, 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, psychological assessments, autism evaluations and diagnoses, 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.
Pediatric Autism Evaluations
Pediatric psychology assesses and treats emotional, behavioral, and developmental issues in children and adolescents. Through detailed evaluations, including autism assessments, we determine if a child meets criteria for autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. The evaluation also identifies strengths and challenges, guiding personalized treatment plans.
TESTIMONIALS
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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,
- Is having difficulty pronouncing speech sounds,
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
HOW DOES A PSYCHOLOGIST DIAGNOSE AUTISM IN MY CHILD?
Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves a comprehensive evaluation by our in-house psychologist. The process typically includes the following steps:
Initial Consultation
- Parent/Caregiver Interview: A detailed conversation with parents or caregivers to gather information on the child’s developmental history, behaviors, milestones, communication, social interactions, and any concerns related to 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 the child’s engagement with others and responses to stimuli.
Standardized Testing
- Diagnostic Tools: Use of standardized assessment tools to evaluate autism-specific behaviors and developmental levels.
Feedback and Diagnosis
- Discussion of Findings: The psychologist reviews assessment results with parents or caregivers, explaining the diagnosis, how it was determined, and identifying the child’s strengths and areas for improvement.
Recommendations and Support
- Treatment and Intervention Plan: Recommendations for therapies and interventions such as behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and educational support. The plan may include referrals to other specialists or support services.
Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for creating an effective intervention plan that meets the child’s developmental needs and improves their quality of life.
WHAT DEFINES AUTISM?
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by a variety of symptoms that impact social interaction, communication, and behavior. The term “spectrum” indicates the broad range of symptom types and severities that individuals with autism may experience.
WHAT ARE THE KEY CHARACTERISTICS 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 areas like mathematics, music, or memory.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM A PSYCHOLOGIST APPOINTMENT?
At Talk About Therapy, our goal is to provide unwavering support to our clients and their families, whether they are receiving a diagnosis for the first time or undergoing a reevaluation. We are committed to helping individuals and families gain a clear understanding of their own or their child’s condition.
Assessment Process Steps:
Schedule an Appointment
Call Talk About Therapy at (770) 927-7424 to book your appointment.Submit Paperwork
Complete and submit all required paperwork at least 2 days prior to the scheduled appointment.1st Appointment
- 1-hour diagnostic interview with the child and parent.
2nd Appointment
- 2-5 hours of formal diagnostic testing with the child.
Follow-Up Appointment
- Can be completed at the 2nd appointment in-person or scheduled virtually, based on the provider’s recommendation.
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.
