skip to Main Content

7 Things I’ve Learned From Working With Children

7. A need for flexibility…

I can go into a therapy session with a masterpiece of a lesson plan…and within 5 minutes I might as well flip my plan over and take data on the back because my client has taken us in a whole different direction! So much of an SLPs job is reading our kiddos’ needs and responding appropriately in the moment.  Kids teach us the importance of finding fun in flexible thinking.

6. Simplicity is key… 

Sometimes, kids like us to keep things simple! I had a professor tell me once that she could do effective therapy with only a cotton ball and a pen. I remember thinking she was kidding but now as an older and wiser therapist, I get it. Speech and language skills can be targeted with anything as long as it is fun for our kiddos! Give an SLP a Mr. Potato Head and we can teach speech sounds, directions, categories, concepts, pretend play skills, etc. If we make any activity exciting, even a cotton ball and a pen, kids will participate and learn. 

5. It’s okay to ask for help…

There is something very humbling about asking for help. Admitting you don’t understand something is hard but kids do it all the time! Working with kids has made me understand that there is NO shame in asking for help.

4. Emotions are temporary…

It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about a kiddo’s new favorite game or in the midst of navigating a full blown meltdown— eventually those strong emotions, good or bad, will pass and the child will move on! We as adults need to be able to move on too.

3. Play is powerful…

Play is as essential to a child as eating and sleeping. A child learns something from every play experience. If we try to teach a child by talking at them, they don’t experience anything. Allowing them to discover the world around them through play is where connections are made and children learn.

2.  Tape is a necessity…

We use tape for EVERYTHING in my therapy room. Kids have taught me that tape can be used as a racetrack, support the base of a tower, work as a finish line, and of course hold a worksheet down on a desk!

1. Change your view…

Have you ever seen that sparkle in the eyes of a child? The way they look at the adults in their little lives like they are super heroes?  Kids see everyone through an innocent and beautiful lens. They see everybody as special and helpful and kind. We could learn so much from viewing the world as they do…   

Back To Top

Patient Reviews

LLA Therapy

Patient Reviews

Crystal Scheibe

Facebook
Great place, glad we found them. Been going to Medina over 2 months now and he loves Lauryn and Kyler. Wish they had more ABA therapy places available... live in Wooster and long drive everyday.

Karrie Swan LaRock

Facebook
My 11 year old son has dyslexia and has made noticeable gains in working At LLA THERAPY. Katie is strong in her approach toward him and also keeps him comfortable enough to perform well. We will continue visiting both the Fairlawn and Hudson offices and recommend them highly.

Ron Monroe

Facebook
My 9 year old just completed about 9 months of weekly speech sessions (due to his stuttering) with Matt Hagge at LLA and we are thrilled with the experience and results. What I thought might be a negative (what kid really wants to go to speech class?) was made very positive by Matt, and my son never hesitated or complained when we talked about class. He really enjoyed it and really took what Matt taught him to heart. His speech has been greatly improved and we definitely recommend LLA. Thank you so much!

Heather Dougherty-Pantoja

Facebook
My son’s Occupational Therapist, Jess, is an amazing OT! She gives practical tips on working with my son at home and school!

Terri Apgar

Facebook
I cannot say enough good things about LLA Therapy. My daughter was a client of Teal Simmons’ for approximately 2 years and was just released from speech therapy! She was diagnosed with Apraxia in 2015 and worked with Teal twice a week. Through Teal’s application of PROMPT therapy, my daughter had age-appropriate speech after one year. All of the staff we interacted with at LLA were absolutely wonderful. They really care about what they do and making sure your child achieves their goals.

Kelli Geisler Davisson

Facebook
LLA Therapy has been an excellent experience for my son as well as my family! My son always asks, "When can I go see Ms. Jeannine again, is it Monday??" He has also made huge gains in only 5 months! I would highly recommend LLA and have already shared my experience with friends looking for services!

Victoria Hansford-Price

Facebook
We are so grateful for our Speech Therapist Ms.Teal. We have seen a great improvement with our sons confidence and communication abilities since we have started "Prompt" therapy. What we love the most about LLA and Ms. Teal is that Kohl feels comfortable and relaxed which has played a critical role in his progress. Thank you Ms. Teal for all you have done.

Laura Lee Hogsett

Facebook
They have helped in numerous ways. Speech, OT and behavioral. I've had numerous compliments on my son's progress thanks in very large part to LLA. I would recommend LLA before I recommend our local children's hospitals, though they are good, they don't have the staff that LLA does.

Amy Furukawa

Facebook
We had a great experience with Matt Hagge at LLA! Our Middle School age son was becoming very conscious of his voice, which is nasal due to a cleft palate. Matt helped him to better form his sounds and project his voice in a way that makes the unavoidable nasality less noticeable.Our son is more confident and outgoing & even took on a speaking role in the church play. Matt has the perfect personality to relate with our son, and we would recommend him to anyone needing speech therapy services!

Jessica Havalotti

Facebook
LLA Therapy has been an excellent experience for our daughter. I would highly recommend LLA. Miss Grace was so amazing and I can't believe how quickly our daughter showed improvement. Thank you!
Read More