Therapy Services
Consultative Services
Mission of Stuttering Therapy Services
It is the mission of Stuttering Therapy Services to bring appropriate, individualized therapy to children and adolescents who stutter. This therapy is provided in a family-based, child-centered environment, meant to create the most positive therapy experience for all involved in the therapy process.
Preschool Stuttering Therapy
Preschool stuttering assessment and intervention services are available for children who are experiencing disruptions in their speech (ages 2-5 years). Preschool stuttering therapy can begin with parent education and training in communication styles, and will be adjusted to meet the specific needs of each child and his or her family. Consultation with preschool educators or any significant others in a child's communication environment will also be a part of the therapy process.
School Age Stuttering Therapy
School age stuttering assessment and intervention services are available for children who stutter (ages 5-13). Therapy for older children involves education regarding stuttering as well as training in speech modification strategies. Therapy also emphasizes the support of a child's self-esteem and confidence as he or she learns to cope with and handle stuttering in everyday life.
Adolescent Stuttering Therapy
Adolescents and young adults are often in a transition time in their lives. Adolescents who stutter can face age-specific communication difficulties that need to be addressed. Therapy at this age involves education about stuttering and speech management strategies. It also involves a diverse range of activities to support the self-esteem and confidence of the adolescent who stutters.
Parents or referring Speech-Language Pathologists are encouraged to contact Nina Reardon-Reeves at Stuttering Therapy Services to discuss an individual child's case. If warranted, an appointment for an evaluation can be scheduled.
Click here for selected resources for parents and children who stutter.
General Speech-Language Services
Nina also provides therapy for children and adolescents with speech articulation disorders and language disorders. Nina has served students with these types of communication disorders in her school-based work for over 20 years. Feel free to contact Nina directly if you have any questions about your child's speech and language skills development. Philosophy of Stuttering Therapy Services
“It is my philosophy that each child who stutters, along with his or her family deserve individualized attention to address specific needs. I do not adhere to strict “therapy programs,” as I believe that one size does NOT fit all in stuttering therapy. It is my vision that each child and family feel educated, supported and empowered in every step of the therapy process. I bring a rich background of broad-based knowledge and experiences to my work with people who stutter.”
-Nina Reardon-Reeves
Consultative Services On-site consultative services packages are individualized to each request. Nina Reardon-Reeves is available for consultations with local and national school districts, hospitals, regional special education service districts and of course for individual cases.
Parents, teachers, administrators and speech-language pathologists are encouraged to contact Nina Reardon-Reeves to discuss consultative service options or to schedule an appointment.
Local Area Districts and Venues
Districts and sites within driving distance of McKinney, TX have a range of options for consultative services with Nina Reeves. Plans can be individualized for each district's needs and budgets.
Here are some examples of local ongoing successful programs:
• Frisco ISD: At Frisco, Nina is a 1.5 day employee who services the district as its “staff fluency specialist.” Nina oversees all aspects of fluency disorder training, programs and paperwork issues with the team of 35 SLPs at FISD. This program has recently received nation-wide attention, highlighted in Advance Magazine.
• Garland ISD: At Garland, Nina is a 2 day contractual fluency specialist for the district's 60 SLPs. This program is entering its first full year during the 2008-09 academic year.
• Grapevine-Colleyville ISD has recently contracted Nina to provide a combination of individual case consultations with a series of overall staff development opportunities for its 12 SLPs.
2-3 hour seminar options:
- School Age Stuttering Therapy: Where do we start?
Speech pathologists are often wondering how to begin therapy with new students. This presentation outlines the foundations of therapy that are important for long-term success.
- Assessing Speech Motor and Communication Skills for Children who Stutter
An overview of these aspects of therapy is completed during this interactive workshop. Videotaped examples are utilized to bring “reality” to transcription samples of speech behaviors.
- Assessing and Working with Attitudes and Emotions of Stuttering
Another essential aspect of assessment is discussed in the first part of this seminar: assessing beliefs and feelings. In the second half of the seminar, practical concepts for how to address these issues in therapy are presented.
- What's in Your Toolbox?
Education, demonstration of use, and role-plays of fluency shaping and stuttering modification techniques. General communication skills will also be addressed as a part of overall communication management.
- Activities for Therapy of School Age Children who Stutter
Clinicians bring their favorite speech therapy material/activity. Lead facilitator and all participants will role-play in how to utilize the material/activity for stuttering therapy. A flexible framework for therapy progression will be developed in order to create materials and activities designed to address the ever-changing communication needs of children who stutter.
- Indirect Preschool Stuttering Therapy
Parent education and training of environmental modifications are highlighted in this workshop. Clinicians will role-play and demonstrate techniques while utilizing a play-based therapy approach.
- More Direct Preschool Stuttering Therapy
Discussion of therapy goals and activities for students who are moving from indirect to more direct therapeutic approaches are discussed in this workshop. Transitional issues are addressed.
- Talking Points: collaborating with parents and teachers
Parents and teachers need to understand stuttering in order to be effective support systems for children who stutter. Following an outline of information (FAQ's), therapists will split into teams to role-play parent and teacher consultation session.
- School Age Therapy Plateaus: Where do we go from here?
Each clinician will bring a challenging “student case” Discussions regarding “What is the next level?” will be facilitated. Problem solving strategies and formats will be utilized.
- Stuttering: Counseling Parents and Children
This workshop presents practical aspects of counseling in therapy of children who stutter and their families. Resources will be outlined and discussed as a part of ongoing learning.
- Desensitization, Hierarchies and Effect Circles: Frameworks in therapy
Sample clinical cases will be presented and participants will create hierarchies and effect circles to clarify procedures for guiding children who stutter in desensitization as well as increased levels of understanding of therapeutic concepts.
- Case Studies: What's on your mind?
Clinicians are invited to present challenging student cases. Discussions regarding “What is the next level?” will be facilitated. Problem solving strategies and formats will be utilized.
- Facilitating Carryover in Therapy
Facilitator will identify creative concepts used to enhance carryover of skills learned in therapy of school age children who stutter. Clinicians will develop a plan for a sample “child” from their caseload.
- Hot Topics in Stuttering: Dealing with bullying and teasing
Therapy activities to problem solve bullying and teasing regarding stuttering will be discussed. Clinicians will outline concepts presented for use with children on their workloads.
- Hot Topics in Stuttering: Issues for students in transitional years
This workshop will provide a discussion of therapy goals and activities for students who are moving from pre-teen to teen and then teen to young adult years.
National Districts
Nina is a highly acclaimed clinician and presenter of continuing education seminars around the country. Her insight into a variety of treatment genres brings a practical approach to enhancing therapy for children who stutter and their families.
Seminars: In the past, districts, regional special education cooperatives and local and state organizations have invited Nina to present one-to-three day seminars for their professionals.
Recently, however, several service entities have expanded their focus on fluency disorder training to “strand” development. This has usually entailed a series of seminars, presented over time, that address many of the most problematic areas of fluency disorder therapy. This series approach can be most effective in increasing SLP confidence and competence of treating fluency disorders in children and adolescents.
Other options: For districts on the national level, these strands of staff development can be paired with consultation on overall district/entity approaches for assessment and treatment of children with fluency disorders.
Small group “directed” consultations can also be utilized to develop deeper levels of understanding of issues surrounding challenging cases.
The best thing about this cutting-edge consulting project is that YOU can design YOUR OWN, as there are no limitations of “the usual way” to do things. Contact Nina to discuss specific options and to tailor a program to meet your district's/site's needs!
Individual Case Options
If you are a parent or loved one of a person who stutters, Nina is available for personal, individual consultations on specific cases. Please contact Nina to discuss options to meet your specific needs. |
