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Common Speech and Language Disorders in Adults — and How to Overcome Them
Communication is a vital part of everyday life, helping us express our thoughts, emotions, and needs clearly. But for many adults, speech and language disorders can make even simple conversations feel frustrating or isolating. Whether caused by a medical condition, injury, or neurological change, these challenges are more common than most people realize — and the good news is that help is available. At The Way You Say LLC, we specialize in helping adults across New Jersey improve communication skills, restore confidence, and rediscover their voices through personalized speech and language therapy. Let’s explore the most common adult speech and language disorders, their causes, and how targeted therapy can help you overcome them. Understanding Adult Speech and Language Disorders Speech and language disorders are often thought to affect only children, but adults can experience them too — either from childhood conditions that persist or from new injuries or illnesses. Speech disorders affect the physical production of sounds, while language disorders affect the understanding or use of words and sentences. Common causes in adults include: Stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI) Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s or dementia Voice strain or damage to vocal cords Developmental disorders that continue into adulthood Psychological […]
Red Flags in Early Communication Parents Shouldn’t Ignore
As a parent or caregiver, you’re the expert on your child. You notice the first smiles, the coos, the giggles, and the wave “bye-bye.” You’re also the first to spot when something doesn’t feel quite right. This guide—created by the pediatric speech-language pathologists at The Way You Say LLC—explains the key red flags in early communication, what’s “within the range of typical,” and when to seek a professional evaluation. Acting early can make a big difference in your child’s long-term speech, language, and social development. Quick note: Every child develops at their own pace. Milestones are averages—not hard deadlines. But persistent delays, regressions, or multiple red flags across areas are good reasons to check in with a pediatric SLP. Why Early Communication Matters Communication begins long before first words. Babies use eye contact, smiles, cooing, babbling, and gestures to connect. These early skills lay the foundation for vocabulary, sentence building, reading, and social success in school. When we support early communication—especially if there are red flags—children tend to: Build bigger vocabularies sooner Learn to combine words earlier Improve social confidence and behavior Thrive during preschool and kindergarten transitions Early support is not just “nice to have”—it’s protective. A Quick Tour […]
Signs Your Child Might Benefit from Feeding Therapy in New Jersey
Is mealtime in your house filled with stress, tears, and frustration? If your child consistently refuses to eat, gags on certain foods, or struggles with swallowing, you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining things. Many children experience feeding difficulties that go beyond typical picky eating. When these challenges begin to interfere with growth, nutrition, or family dynamics, it may be time to consider feeding therapy. At The Way You Say LLC, we specialize in helping children in New Jersey who experience feeding challenges. Our licensed speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists offer compassionate, effective support to help your child eat confidently and safely. Below will help you identify the common signs that your child may benefit from feeding therapy and explain how professional intervention can make a life-changing difference. What Is Feeding Therapy? Feeding therapy is a specialized type of therapy designed to help individuals—especially children—develop safe, efficient, and positive eating habits. It can address a range of issues, from sensory aversions and oral-motor delays to behavioral problems and medical conditions that interfere with feeding. Feeding therapy is often conducted by: Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) Occupational therapists (OTs) A multidisciplinary team, depending on the child’s needs Therapy is tailored to your child’s individual […]
Creating Sensory-Friendly Routines at Home with Help from OT
For children with sensory processing challenges, everyday activities like brushing teeth, getting dressed, or transitioning from one task to another can feel overwhelming. That’s where sensory-friendly routines come in—a powerful way to bring structure, comfort, and calm to your child’s world. With the guidance of an experienced occupational therapist (OT), you can design routines tailored to your child’s unique sensory needs right in the comfort of your own home. At The Way You Say LLC, we specialize in pediatric occupational therapy that helps children develop the skills they need to thrive—physically, emotionally, and socially. Below we’ll explore how to create sensory-friendly routines that support your child’s daily functioning, reduce meltdowns, and foster independence. What Is Sensory Processing? Sensory processing is how the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate behavioral responses. Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or sensory sensitivities may be over- or under-responsive to sensory input like sound, touch, movement, or light. Some common signs include: Covering ears at loud sounds Avoiding certain textures Craving movement or deep pressure Difficulty transitioning between tasks Meltdowns in noisy or unfamiliar environments Sensory challenges are often seen in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and […]
The Power of Communication: Why Speech Therapy Matters at Every Age
Communication is more than just speaking—it’s how we connect, express our feelings, build relationships, succeed in school or at work, and navigate the world. Yet for many people, communication doesn’t come easily. From toddlers struggling to form their first words to adults recovering from strokes, the need for effective communication spans every age and stage of life. At The Way You Say LLC, we believe that everyone deserves to be heard and understood. That’s why we offer personalized speech therapy services for children, adults, and families across New Jersey. Let’s explore the importance of speech therapy, who can benefit from it, and how the right support can make a world of difference. What Is Speech Therapy? Speech therapy is a clinical service designed to assess, diagnose, and treat communication and swallowing disorders. This includes: Articulation (pronunciation) Language development (understanding and using words and grammar) Social communication (using language in social settings) Fluency (e.g., stuttering) Voice disorders Cognitive-communication skills (attention, memory, problem-solving) Swallowing and feeding challenges Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), also known as speech therapists, are trained professionals who guide individuals through customized exercises and strategies to improve their communication skills. Why Speech Therapy Matters Across the Lifespan 💡 Early Intervention in […]
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. […]
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...
