Speech and Language Therapy
The Speech and Language Center at Villa Esperanza is a community clinic that provides assessment, treatment, and consultation for individuals with a broad range of communication disorders. In addition to treating individual students and clients, we provide training, support and education to caregivers, teachers, families and loved ones. Our clinicians have a wealth of experience with a variety of communication disorders resulting from developmental delays, neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities, phonological and articulation disorders, learning differences, and acquired brain injuries. We serve children and adults, with specialized expertise and training in treating individuals with autism spectrum disorder, children birth to three years old, and nonverbal or minimally verbal clients with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and technology needs.
Services:
- Speech and Language Assessment
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Assessment
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication Therapy and Consultation
- Functional Communication Assessment and Training
- Individual Speech Therapy
- Family-based Speech Therapy
- Social-Emotional Developmental Intervention
- Training workshops and in-service for special educators, related professionals, parents, and caregivers
At the Speech & Language Center, treatment is individualized and may include elements of:
- Pivotal Response Training (PRT)
- DIR / Floortime Model
- Total Communication Approach
- Visual Supports
- Social Stories
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
- Visualization Strategies for Language Comprehension
- Phonological Awareness Training
- PROMPT (PROMPTs for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets)
- Sensory Integration strategies
Funding
Villa Esperanza Services is a non-public school (NPS), a non-public agency (NPA), and a vendor of local regional centers. Individuals and families also pay privately for assessment and treatment services. Some private medical insurance providers may reimburse individuals for speech and language therapy; however, the Speech and Language Center does not bill medical insurance or Medi-Cal directly for any service.
Villa's Speech Team:
Gwendolyn Meier, M.A., CCC-SLP, MT-BC
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Gwendolyn is a speech-language pathologist and a board-certified music therapist who has dedicated her professional life to providing treatment to children and young adults with communicative and social-emotional challenges. Areas of specific expertise include the treatment of autism spectrum-related needs with a particular emphasis in visually-based |
Kimberly Tan, M.A., CCC-SLP Ariel Hegedus, M.A., CCC-SLP Cassandra Helland, A.A., SLPA Barbara Martin, A.A., SLPA Michelle Gordon, A.A., SLPA Alicia Angel, Administrative Assistant |
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Music Therapy
Villa Esperanza also offers Music Therapy as a specialized service within our Speech and Language Center. Music Therapy is an established health profession where music is provided as a powerful and non-threatening medium, through which unique outcomes are possible. Music Therapy in special education provides a unique variety of music experiences in an intentional and developmentally appropriate manner to effect changes in a student’s behavior and facilitate development of communication, social/emotional, sensory-motor, and/or cognitive skills. In addition to building functional and adaptive skills, Music Therapy employs nonverbal interactions to enhance quality of life and build relationships; between a qualified therapist and student; between one student and another; between student and education staff; and between the music and the participants.
Training
The Speech and Language Center also provides training for special educators, related professionals, and caregivers. Education and training programs are offered on our campus or on-site at local schools and agencies in the West San Gabriel region. Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Language and Literacy Development
- Language & Communication Development in Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Supporting English Language Learners in Early Childhood Education
- Developing Language & Literacy: Talking, Reading, and Writing from the Ground Up
- Sharing Books, Sharing Music: Literacy Development & the Benefits of Music in Early Childhood
Inclusion
- Inclusion in Preschool
- Autism & Inclusion in Early Childhood Education
- Building Bridges Across Transitions
- Social Stories in the Classroom
Functional Communication Training
- Intro to Augmentative and Alternative Communication
- Visually Supports for Communication
- iPads for Autism – Communicative, Educational, and Recreational Benefits of Mobile Technologies
Therapeutic and Educational Music
- Music for Development & Learning
- Music in Infant & Toddler Development
- Learning Language Through Music
For more information on any of the Speech and Language Center’s programs or services, please contact our Director, Gwendolyn Meier, or at (626) 795-8355.
