Speech Therapy Services
Supporting Children in Developing Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication and Strengthening Oral Motor Skills.
Every child develops at their own pace, but when communication skills are delayed or impaired, it can impact a child’s ability to participate in daily activities. Some children need extra support to build expressive and receptive language skills or to develop their oral motor skills. Children with speech sound disorders, language disorders, social communication disorders, cognitive communication disorders, and swallowing disorders can benefit from speech therapy services. Pediatric speech therapy helps address these challenges, improving communication skills and increasing confidence in everyday life.
What is Speech Therapy?
Speech-language pathologists help children communicate effectively by improving their verbal and non-verbal language skills. They can also support issues related to feeding and swallowing. Our speech therapy services focus on each individual patient and their specific needs. Providers use evidence-based approaches and collaborate with parents and family members to support each child’s unique goals.
Our Approach to Speech Therapy
Pediatric speech therapy at Southwest Integrated Behavioral Health incorporates play, visual supports, and caregiver training to support each child’s unique communication needs.
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Play-Based Therapy: Play is a natural way for children to learn and communicate. This strategy helps children engage in a less formal, more comfortable setting, encouraging creativity and spontaneous language.
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Visual Supports: Visual aids such as picture schedules, communication boards, and sign language can support children who struggle with verbal communication.
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Caregiver Training: Involving parents or caregivers in the therapy process is key to reinforcing skills learned in therapy. This strategy promotes consistency across settings, helping children generalize their language skills outside of treatment sessions.
Parents are actively involved in treatment sessions. Our speech therapists help families apply skills from therapy at home, supporting continued progress outside the clinic.
How to Get Started with Speech Therapy
Our clinic welcomes and supports children with diverse developmental, sensory, and motor challenges. Here’s how to get started.
A medical referral for speech therapy is required. Typically, your child’s primary care physician (PCP) can issue a medical referral, but we also accept referrals from other licensed medical providers, such as a neurologist or psychiatrist. All health insurance carriers require a medical referral to document medical necessity for speech therapy, and a referral is also required for prior authorization requests. Prior authorization is required for most health insurance plans. Other health professionals, including behavioral therapists, occupational therapists, and neuropsychologists, may recommend speech therapy as an appropriate treatment for your child’s needs. While we welcome collaboration with your child’s treatment team, we cannot accept their recommendation in place of a medical referral.
The SWIBH team is here to guide you through every step: insurance eligibility, appointment scheduling, cost review, and consent. We're dedicated to helping your child build stronger communication skills. Contact Southwest Integrated Behavioral Health in Albuquerque today to learn more.
Call us today at 505-247-4900 to learn more about speech therapy services at Southwest Integrated Behavioral Health in Albuquerque.