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Helping Your Child Speak Their Mind Through AAC Support
For many children with speech and language challenges, finding their voice can feel impossible. Whether due to autism, cerebral palsy, apraxia of speech, Down syndrome, or other developmental delays, communication barriers can affect every part of a child’s life—from social interactions to learning and emotional well-being. That’s where AAC support comes in. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) empowers children who have difficulty speaking to express their needs, thoughts, and feelings. At The Way You Say LLC, we specialize in AAC evaluations and therapy to help children across New Jersey unlock their true communication potential. Below, we’ll explain what AAC is, the types of AAC systems available, how AAC evaluations work, and how AAC therapy can transform your child’s ability to communicate and connect with the world. What Is AAC? Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) refers to all forms of communication other than oral speech used to express thoughts, wants, needs, and ideas. AAC helps individuals who are partially or completely nonverbal or those who struggle with speech production. AAC can include: Unaided communication systems: gestures, sign language, facial expressions. Low-tech AAC: picture boards, communication books, printed visuals. High-tech AAC: speech-generating devices (SGDs), tablets with communication apps like Proloquo2Go or TouchChat. […]
Speech Therapy Isn’t Just for Kids: Why Adults Benefit Too
When most people think of speech therapy, they often imagine children learning to pronounce their R’s or overcome a stutter. But the reality is, adults can also face speech and language challenges—and they deserve the same level of support. Whether it’s due to a stroke, brain injury, neurological condition, or even professional communication goals, adult speech therapy plays a vital role in restoring confidence and improving quality of life. At The Way You Say LLC, we specialize in adult speech and language therapy tailored to each person’s unique needs. Here’s why speech therapy isn’t just for kids—and how adults of all ages can benefit. Why Adults Seek Speech Therapy Adult speech therapy supports individuals who experience difficulties with speaking, understanding language, social communication, voice, fluency, or swallowing. These issues can result from: Stroke or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or ALS Aphasia, often following a stroke Apraxia of speech or dysarthria Cognitive-communication disorders Voice disorders related to vocal strain or illness Stuttering that continued from childhood into adulthood Accents and pronunciation goals for personal or professional reasons Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) As adults age or face medical conditions, these challenges can impact everything from job performance to […]
How Feeding Therapy Helps Children with Autism Overcome Mealtime Struggles
For many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), mealtime can be a daily struggle. Sensory sensitivities, difficulty with textures, and challenges with oral motor skills often make eating a stressful experience. Parents may find themselves dealing with picky eating, food refusal, or even nutritional deficiencies. Feeding therapy offers a structured, evidence-based approach to help children with autism develop healthier eating habits, improve food acceptance, and make mealtimes less stressful for the entire family. At The Way You Say LLC, we specialize in feeding therapy that is tailored to meet the unique needs of children with autism. Below we’ll explore how feeding therapy works, why it’s beneficial, and how parents can support their child’s progress at home. Understanding Feeding Challenges in Children with Autism Many children with autism experience feeding difficulties due to a combination of sensory, behavioral, and oral motor challenges. Some of the most common feeding struggles include: Extreme Picky Eating: Children may limit their diet to only a few familiar foods and reject anything new. Sensory Sensitivities: Certain textures, temperatures, or even colors of food may cause distress or aversion. Oral Motor Challenges: Some children have difficulty chewing or swallowing food properly, leading to choking concerns. Food Rigidity: […]
Is Your Toddler a Late Talker? How Speech Therapy Can Help
As parents, we eagerly await our child’s first words. But what happens when those words take longer to come? If your toddler isn’t speaking as much as their peers, you may wonder: Is my child a late talker? Should I be concerned? How can speech therapy help? Below, we’ll explore what it means to be a late talker, when to seek help, and how The Way You Say LLC can support your child’s speech development. What Is a Late Talker? A late talker is a toddler who has a limited spoken vocabulary for their age but is otherwise developing normally in areas like understanding, motor skills, and social interaction. Speech and Language Milestones for Toddlers Every child develops at their own pace, but here are some general speech milestones to keep in mind: 12 months: Says simple words like “mama” or “dada” and responds to their name. 18 months: Uses at least 20 words and begins to imitate words. 24 months (2 years old): Says 50+ words and starts combining words into two-word phrases (e.g., “more milk”). 30-36 months (3 years old): Can form short sentences, ask simple questions, and be understood by others. A child may be considered a […]
From Stuttering to Success: Adult Speech Therapy in New Jersey
Communication is a fundamental part of life, yet for many adults in New Jersey, speech and language challenges can create barriers in both personal and professional settings. Whether it’s stuttering, articulation difficulties, or issues stemming from an injury or illness, adult speech therapy offers a pathway to clearer communication and greater confidence. At The Way You Say LLC, we specialize in helping adults overcome these challenges. Based in New Jersey, our dedicated team provides customized therapy plans to help individuals unlock their full potential and succeed in all areas of life. Understanding Stuttering in Adults Stuttering, also known as a fluency disorder, involves disruptions in the flow of speech. It can manifest as: Repeated sounds, syllables, or words Prolonged sounds Blocks, where no sound comes out despite the effort to speak While stuttering often begins in childhood, it can persist into adulthood or emerge later in life due to neurological conditions or trauma. For many adults, stuttering affects self-esteem, workplace performance, and social relationships. However, with targeted therapy, significant improvements are possible. How Adult Speech Therapy Helps Speech therapy isn’t just for children. Adults can benefit immensely from therapy, especially when sessions are tailored to their unique challenges and goals. […]
AAC Evaluations 101: How They Can Transform Communication for All Ages
Communication is a fundamental part of human connection, but for individuals with speech or language impairments, expressing themselves can be challenging. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems offer a bridge to effective communication, enabling individuals to share their thoughts, needs, and emotions. At The Way You Say LLC in New Jersey, we specialize in AAC evaluations, offering in-home, in-office, and teletherapy options tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Below, we’ll delve into the importance of AAC evaluations, the process involved, and how they can transform lives. What Are AAC Evaluations? AAC evaluations are comprehensive assessments conducted by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to determine the most suitable communication tools and strategies for individuals with speech or language impairments. These tools can range from low-tech options like picture boards to high-tech speech-generating devices. The evaluation process ensures that the selected AAC system aligns with the individual’s specific needs, preferences, and abilities, fostering meaningful communication. Why Are AAC Evaluations Important? 1. Empowering Communication AAC evaluations identify tools that empower individuals to communicate effectively, fostering independence and reducing frustration. 2. Tailored Solutions Every individual is unique. AAC evaluations provide personalized recommendations based on the individual’s abilities, environment, and communication goals. 3. Enhancing […]
Testimonials
Read what our clients are saying
The speech therapist Michelle worked with my son. She really helped him to build on his language skills. She was incredibly kind and patient when working with him. When he was retested, his scores fell within the average range! She worked with him at our home so we didn’t have to travel...
Julie Goldberg
Miss Joanne from The Way You Say LLC is amazing! She is very patient, engaging, and very thoughtful. Miss Joanne would always take her time to listen to our concerns and work with our daughter and provide us with her assessment on work needed. With Miss Joanne's hard work, our little...
Grace Chang-Wang
My son has had a great experience receiving speech therapy from The Way You Say LLC! Lauren was very informative in answering all questions and getting us started. My son's therapist, Tara, was wonderful! She was very pleasant and very patient with my son and provided helpful tips...
