We provide speech-language therapy through Early Intervention.
First Process
Evidence-based articulation-enhancing and/or language-enhancing strategies are shared with parents and caregivers so they can assist with the course of therapy. An active partnership between the speech-language pathologist and the child’s immediate support system will help increase performance outcomes and lead to generalization of learned skills.
“Jessica worked with our son and provided us with the right tools to help create and expand his vocabulary.”
If you have any concerns related to your child’s development or questions about what First Words, Inc. can do to help your family, please do not hesitate to contact Jessica.
First Therapists
All speech-language pathologists with First Words, Inc. are also state-certified Early Intervention professionals who provide needed services through the Infant & Toddler Connection of the Blue Ridge (ITCBR). Children, from birth to the age of three, who have been found eligible for these special services receive individualized treatment within the natural environment (e.g., the family’s home, the child’s daycare/preschool, the local community). Families and/or caregivers are actively involved in the child’s therapy.
10%-20%
Between ten and twenty percent* of two-year-olds exhibit late language emergence.
373,000
Approximately 373,000** children were served nationally through Part C Early Intervention in 2017.
3X
Males are three times more likely than females to exhibit late language emergence ***
Intervention is likely to be more effective and less costly when it is provided earlier in life rather than later.
per NECTAC
The natural environment allows young children the benefit of being in their typical daily routines, which helps to promote their overall participation, while making what is learned more individualized and relevant to their needs. It also assists with increasing communication and collaboration between the speech-language pathologist and the child's parents or caregivers.
First Results
"Jessica began working with my son when he was about 18 months old. He had little, if any, words at all. We struggled a lot with temper tantrums and had concerns about Autism because his older sibling was already diagnosed. Jessica formed an instant bond with my son, and family for that matter, and we always looked forward to our sessions with her. Within 6 months, Jessica worked with our son and provided us with the right tools to help create and expand his vocabulary so that by the time he turned 2 years old he was at or above the level he should be at in all areas of language. Jessica has an amazing personality and you can tell that she truly enjoys being a part of every kid's world. I will miss the special smile my son gave her when "NORTON" walked through the door!"
* Rescorla, 1989; Rescorla & Alley, 2001; Roulstone, Loader, Northstone, Beveridge, & the ALSPAC Team, 2002; Zubrick, Taylor, Rice, & Slegers, 2007
** per ectacenter.org
*** Zubrick et al., 2007