Speech and Language Services
We offer comprehensive speech and language evaluations, individual therapy, and consultations for families with children ages 12 months through school age.
Our speech-language pathologist functions as a member of an interdisciplinary team. When needed, speech and language services can be integrated with other types of support for the child and family, provided by other specialists at Family Compass.
Areas of Practice
- Language Delays/Late Talkers
- Developmental Language Disorders
- Articulation Disorders
- Phonological Disorders
- Fluency Disorders (Stuttering)
- Voice Disorders
- Pragmatic Language Deficits
Pragmatic Language/Social Skills Groups for Preschoolers:
In addition to the above individual therapy services Family Compass also offers pragmatic social skills groups for preschoolers which:
- Support children’s abilities to communicate with peers.
- Enable positive social experiences.
- Utilize play and activities to help kids engage and communicate.
- Small group size (2-3 children) allows ample support from the speech-language pathologist.
Early Identification of Children with Communication Delays
We believe firmly in early detection and intervention. Research indicates that children who receive early treatment have significantly better long term outcomes as measured by school success, peer relationships, and self-esteem.
To enable early identification of children with communication delays or disorders Family Compass also offers preschool screenings:
- We offer speech and language screenings at individual preschools in the area.
- Screenings serve to identify children who may be at risk for a communication delay or disorder and determine whether further evaluation is necessary.
- Screenings are individually administered and take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
- Preschool directors can schedule these screenings with our speech-language pathologist.
- Screenings are also available to individual children. Families can call and schedule a screening in our office.
Getting Started
If you would like to talk with our speech-language pathologist about your child’s speech and language needs, please call 703-471-5517 and press the # key to leave a message for our office manager. Typically she will set up an initial 15-minute phone consultation.
Our Speech-Language Pathologist
Ruthie Dearson, M.A., CCC-SLP is a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). She is licensed by the State of Virginia’s Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and is a Hanen-Certified SLP. Prior to joining Family Compass, Ruthie worked in Early Head Start and Head Start programs, Fairfax County Public Schools, and in private practice. She believes firmly in evidenced-based treatment and making parents partners in the therapy process.
Recommended Readings & DVDs
It Takes Two to Talk: A Practical Guide for Parents of Children with Language Delays, by Jan Pepper and Elaine Weitzman
More Than Words: Helping Parents Promote Communication and Social Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, by Fern Sussman
TalkAbility, People skills for verbal children on the autism spectrum: A guide for parents, by Fern Sussman
Beyond Baby Talk: From Sounds to Sentences, by Kenn Apel, PhD and Julie J. Masterson, PhD.
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