Speech and Language Services
Click on each service or approach listed to the right to learn more about what Flex Therapy can provide to you and your family. Due to our hybrid model of providing services in an office, in the home, and in the community, we are able to work comfortably with individuals with a variety of support needs.
We offer free consultations via phone or Zoom to discuss your specific concerns and needs.
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Articulation and phonological disorders are speech disorders that affect an individual's ability to produce speech sounds accurately and intelligibly. These disorders can occur in both children and adults, although they are more commonly seen in children during their early stages of language development. We provide the following specific treatment approaches for articulation and phonological disorders.
-Traditional Articulation Therapy
-Cycles Approach for Phonology
-Minimal Pairs
-Multiple Oppositions
-Maximal Oppositions
-Principles of Orofacial Myology
-Core Vocabulary Therapy
-Phonological Awareness/Pre-literacy treatment
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Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), also known as developmental verbal dyspraxia, is a motor speech disorder that affects a child's ability to plan and execute the precise movements required for speech production. It is a relatively rare condition that primarily affects children, typically appearing in early childhood.
Children with CAS have difficulty coordinating the muscles involved in speech production, including the lips, tongue, jaw, and vocal cords. This results in inconsistent and often distorted speech sounds. Unlike other speech disorders, CAS is not caused by muscle weakness or paralysis, but rather by a breakdown in the neural pathways responsible for planning and coordinating speech movements. We provide the following specific treatment approaches for CAS.
-Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing
-Rapid syllable transition treatment (ReST)
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Children who do not communicate verbally, or have difficulty communicating clearly, can benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). AAC is a way for individuals to express their wants, needs, thoughts and ideas through non-verbal communication. This can include pictures, picture boards, or technological devices. We provide the following specific treatment approaches and services for AAC.
-Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP)
-Aided Language Stimulation
-Family and Caregiver Coaching
-Assessments and Funding
-The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
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Early intervention speech therapy refers to specialized therapy provided to infants, toddlers, and young children who are experiencing speech and language delays or disorders. It is a proactive approach that aims to address these challenges at an early stage, typically before the age of three when the brain is highly receptive to language development.
Early intervention speech therapy focuses on identifying and addressing communication difficulties that may impact a child's ability to understand and express themselves effectively. This can include delays in speech sound production, limited vocabulary, difficulties with grammar or sentence structure, or challenges with social communication skills. We may provide the following treatment approaches to our early intervention clients and their families.
-DIRFloortime®
-Play-based interventions
-Parent Coaching
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Social pragmatic communication disorder (SPCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in understanding and using social communication skills effectively. Individuals with SPCD may struggle with the social aspects of communication, making it challenging for them to engage in meaningful and appropriate interactions with others.
-Natural Language Acquisition and Gestalt Language Processing (GLP)
-Social Thinking
-DIRFloortime®
-The Zones of Regulation
-Social Stories
-Score Skills Strategy
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Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder that primarily affects reading and language-related skills. It is a neurobiological condition that can occur in individuals of all ages and intelligence levels. People with dyslexia experience difficulties in accurately and fluently recognizing words, spelling, and decoding written language.
-The Barton Reading and Spelling System
-The Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing Program® for Reading, Spelling, and Speech
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Speech therapy for gestalt language processing focuses on helping individuals who learn language in "chunks" or scripts, rather than by understanding and using individual words. This type of therapy involves recognizing and supporting the unique way these individuals process language, often through echolalia (repeating phrases). Therapists work to break down these scripts into smaller, more flexible units, encouraging the development of spontaneous, meaningful speech. The therapy is especially helpful for Autistic individuals or others with non-traditional language development, promoting communication that is personalized and functional.
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Language therapy for developmental language disorder (DLD) focuses on improving communication skills in children who struggle with understanding and using language, despite normal intelligence and no obvious cause. Therapy targets both receptive (understanding) and expressive (speaking) language skills, addressing difficulties with vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar, and social communication. Techniques may include modeling, play-based learning, and structured language activities. The goal is to help individuals with DLD improve their ability to express ideas, follow conversations, and participate more fully in social and academic settings.
Our Company and Philosophy
Flex Therapy is a therapist-owned company offering Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy services in our office in Wasilla, Alaska. We provide high-quality therapeutic interventions to individuals across the lifespan, but currently the Flex Therapy office in Wasilla is geared toward serving pediatrics.
Flex Home Therapy Services, LLC has been serving individuals in Palmer, Wasilla, and the surrounding areas since 2019. In 2022, the need and demand for our services exceeded our ability to provide all of our services in the home setting. We then opened an office in central Wasilla, and now do business as "Flex Therapy" to reflect that these services are provided in an office setting and not in the home. Home visits for adults and children may be scheduled with Flex Therapy or Flex Home Therapy Services.
At Flex Therapy, we build meaningful relationships with the families we work with to make therapy a positive experience for all involved. Our clients and their families are always encouraged to share the details of their lives with our team, as this helps our therapists to make sure they are providing individualized care.
Our clinic provides a neurodiversity-affirming environment, focusing on facilitating functional skills, regulation, and effective communication. When interacting with our pediatric clients, our therapists use gentle, respectful, and authoritative communication approaches and behavior management strategies.
Depending on our pediatric clients' age and unique needs, therapy may be play-based or it may be appear more structured in nature. If families ever have any questions about the approaches or techniques that our therapists are using, we are happy to share our knowledge and expertise!
