Welcome to Stepping Stones for Speech, Language, and Learning!

Stepping Stones is dedicated to providing family-focused, play-based speech and language therapy for early communication disorders including childhood apraxia of speech, autism, and other disorders of relating and communicating.  This is a small "boutique" practice which allows flexibility in meeting the unique needs of each family.

Family Focused

At Stepping Stones, parents, family and caregivers are considered integral members of the treatment team.  Families are welcome in treatment sessions and are encouraged to actively participate, as partners, in all phases of the evaluation and treatment process.  Family involvement makes treatment more meaningful and successful for the child and ensures that new skills are carried over to daily living activities. 

As a team, the therapist and family identify specific needs and develop a plan to address those needs.  The therapist’s primary role is to share strategies and provide support to facilitate the development of new speech and language skills. The idea is to collaborate by sharing expertise and experience - to best serve each child’s individual needs.

Play Based

Natural, fun and motivating activity - that is, play - is the most efficient context in which to foster relationships and communication simultaneously. The “office” is designed to be more like a playroom with toys, books and room to move which creates a warm, natural environment for play and learning.  Speech and language treatment strategies are integrated into functional play activities to achieve specific communication goals.  Toys, games, books, and even iPad or computer programs are used to encourage interaction and effective communication. The play varies with the age, developmental level, and interests of each child, but serves the same purpose for all.  For younger children it may be “Thomas the Tank Engine” that engages them; for older children it may be an intense game of “Battleship”.