Speech Therapy Clinic in Stony Point Expands Mommy and Me Classes

 Now You're Talking Speech Therapy Comprehensive Services is a practice launched in Stony Point by longtime certified speech language pathologist Sandra Gotthardt on June 24. Already, it is expanding its Mommy, Me and Speech Therapy classes. Now held three days instead of one day a week, the eight-week fall session began on Sept. 6 and takes place from 9:30-10:30am on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Designed for toddlers 1-3 years old, these classes help children develop verbal and nonverbal communications skills through a principle Gotthardt describes as, “You have to do something to get something.” In other words, kids must point, look, nod or otherwise indicate their wishes in order for the parent and guardian to react.

Armed with a strong clinical background gained through her work in private and public schools, private practices and early intervention, Gotthardt opened Now You’re Talking to service patients in the Rockland County community ages newborn to 21. The clinic specializes in orofacial myofunctional therapy, which treats conditions caused by a discrepancy in the muscles of the face, mouth and throat. Symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, messy eating, and mouth breathing may indicate an orofacial myofunctional disorder for which treatment is necessary.

The practice also offers both private and group sessions designed to care for a variety of speech and language conditions, including speech delays, stuttering, difficulties in literacy, tongue thrust, and hearing impairments. It offers a 30-day Thums Up! program aimed to help young kids break the habit of sucking their thumbs. In addition to the Mommy, Me and Speech Therapy classes, Now You’re Talking also provides  birthday party packages for children ages 4 and younger. 

Gotthardt says she is excited for the future of her practice. In the works is the involvement of orthodontists and other mouth-care professionals who would be able to provide a more interdisciplinary approach to care. She says she hopes to eventually provide occupational therapy and physical therapy services as well.

For more information about Now You're Talking Speech Therapy Comprehensive Services, visit its website.