ABOUT US
Speech splash is speech and language therapy combined with aquatic skills and water safety. Speech splash is perfect for children of all ages and needs but is exceptionally beneficial for children with high sensory needs, developmental delays, and autism.
There are so many benefits to swimming and water therapy. Not only is the use of a pool and water extremely motivating and fun for children, and provides a rich environment to learn language, but it helps relax muscles and decrease stress in the body. For children who can sometimes feel as if their body is too much to handle, or feels over or under stimulated, water providers an environment to regulate their bodies.
Benefits of aquatic therapy
Proprioceptive Input: Warm water temperature can help decrease muscle tone and spasms as well as create a calming environment. The water’s viscosity can help improve muscle strength and provide proprioceptive input. Proprioceptive input is the sensory input we get that tells our body where it is in space, its positions, and movements. When proprioceptive messages are not being transmitted and decoded correctly, such as information about our muscles relaxing and contracting, then it is known as proprioceptive dysfunction. This is especially helpful for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Although ASD is more commonly known for a disorder of social communication, it is also known that 70-90% of children with ASD often show unusual responses to sensory stimuli and sensory processing.
Vestibular Input: The natural rocking and wave-like motion of the water can help provide vestibular input. The Vestibular system is an important part of motor movement and planning for movement of the tongue, lips, and jaw, which are needed for speech production.
Postural strength and control: The use of water can also help keep bodies at an upright position, and posture is essential for breath support needed for speech. Blowing bubbles helps with improving breathe control, and respiratory strength, and is just downright fun to do for our little ones.
Regulate and calm the body: The water’s hydrostatic pressure can provide calming, deep stress to all submerged parts of the body.
Citations:
Miller, L.J., S. Schoen, J.Coll, B. Brett-Green, and M. Reale. Final report: Quantitative psychophysiologic evaluation of Sensory Processing in children with autistic spectrum disorders. Los Angeles, CA: Cure Autism Now, February 2005.
G. Richard, Sensory Stimulation to Facilitate Language for Children in the Autism Spectrum, Ashawire, October 2005
A.Pillar and J. Barimo. Sensory Strategies to Calm and Engage Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Ashawire, April 2019
What do we treat?
Expressive language disorders: Simply put, expressive laanguage is the way a child tells us their wants and needs. This can be information relayed through verbalization, written modalities, and gestures such as pointing, using sign language, or non verbal communication using an Augmentative or Alternative Communication device. When a child has an expressive language delay, they have difficulties telling their parents and/or caregivers and peers’ things they want or need. This can result in frustration from the child, and the caregivers due to the inability to get their needs and wants met.
Receptive Language Disorders: Receptive language is the way your child understands what is being asked of them, and understanding what is being told to them. A receptive language delay can result in difficulty following directions, identifying objects, and responding to questions.
Pragmatic Disorders: The way your child interacts with others and engages with peers and adults. Your child may have difficulty using language in a socially appropriate way, making eye contact, playing with peers, taking turns in games, and transitioning through routines.
Speech Sound Disorders: Speech sound disorders, or articulation dealys are when a child has difficulty producing speech sounds because of imprecise placement, timing, pressure, speed, or flow of movement of the lips, tongue, or throat.
Nicole will target your child's speech and language goals while simultaneously teaching water swim safety and foundational swim skills. Sessions will involve general comfort in the water, building of muscles and coordination, and essential swimming skills every child should learn which include buoyancy, breath control, coordination of arms and legs, proper body positioning, and survival floating. During every lesson, your child will practice how to reach the closest wall and climb out safely, front and back kicks, back float, and breath control.
HOW WE'RE DIFFERENT
At speech splash, we focus on the utilization of sensory play to target your child's speech and language goals. Sensory play is when we use activities that stimulate one or more of a child’s senses. This may include any or all the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing, vestibular, and proprioception. The more senses we can incorporate in play and activities, the increased chances the child will learn and remember the language attached. Sensory play also helps keep children engaged and motivated! Swimming involves almost all a child’s senses and provides a rich environment for a child to learn! We will teach your child basic aquatic skills, while we simultaneously teaching the copious language and play that comes natural within the aquatic setting.
CONTACT US
Our Address
WE MOVED!
58 Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY, 11757
Contact for hours and to schedule a free phone consultation
Testimonials
Massapequa, NY
Nicole has been providing speech services for our son for almost 3 years. When we heard about “Speech Splash” we jumped at the opportunity to incorporate multi sensory speech instruction. Since beginning Speech Splash our son has shown an increase in confidence, focus, articulation, and swimming abilities. Speech Splash has provided our son with the tools he needs while learning how to swim. Nicole is very knowledgeable in both speech pathology and swim instruction. Nicole is open with her communication and provides feedback that allows us to carry over the skills at home. Our son is able to verbalize sentences that are clear to strangers while kicking his away across a pool! We cannot say enough great things about Speech Splash!
Plainedge, NY
My son first started seeing Nicole for speech through EI. He loved her from the start (we all did) and she has made a world of difference in his life and educational journey. When we first heard about Speech-splash, I could not have been more excited for my son to try it, as he’s always been afraid of the water and doesn’t know how to swim. He’s even been difficult in the bath due to not wanting water put over his head and not wanting to put his head under the water. It is no exaggeration when I say I saw a difference in my son after one Speech-splash session. He looks forward to (safely) getting into the water now and trying new things. The way Nicole mixes the speech lesson into the swim lesson is truly genius. My son is having so much fun while learning two things at once! I highly recommend Nicole’s services to any parent looking for a fun and creative way to keep their kids engaged in speech and swim.