29 / 72
www.theconnectionsnj.com
INTEGRATED SPEECH PATHOLOGY, LLC
786 Mountain Blvd.
Suite 203B
Watchung, NJ 07069
Dr. Christina Z Luna
SLP.D., CCC-SLP
Donna Spillman-Kennedy
MS, CCC-SLP
It is time to begin a new school year.
One important thing that children can-
not tote in that stylish new backpack is
communication skills: listening, speak-
ing, reading and writing. Communica-
tion is key to all learning so any impair-
ment in these skills can have a significant
effect on a child’s school experience.
According to a report by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention,
approximately 1 in 12 children ages 3-17
has or has had a problem related to com-
munication which is not the same as a
learning disability. Communication disor-
ders can have effects on a child’s ability
to perform well in school even though
they have average to above average
intelligence. These problems can lead to
difficulty following directions even
though they have perfect hearing, not
pronouncing words or sounds accurately,
or not being able to easily share thoughts
and ideas. Some children have chal-
lenges with social skills, managing
appropriate interactions with teachers
and/or other students, turn taking or
understanding humor or when someone
is “just kidding around”. Some children
don’t seem to speak at all, or have a
quality of speech that is distracting or
affecting being understood, such as a
stutter/stammer or a voice that is hoarse
or an odd pitch.
Many children with speech-language
difficulties learn early on how to com-
pensate. For example, a Kindergartener
can watch what the other children are
doing and complete tasks even though
they did not understand what the
teacher said. Sometimes children who
were once strong students in the early
grades suddenly have what appear to be
problems with behavior, attention,
organization, or simply completing
assignments. Often teachers and parents
forget that if something is too difficult or
impossible to understand, it is hard to
pay attention or complete a task; so, chil-
dren, being children, find something else
to do. These challenges may create feel-
ings or ideas that learning, reading and
school overall to be too hard, and there-
fore “I don’t like to read” or “I don’t like
school”.
Often children are able to naturally
outgrow speech-language deficits; how-
ever, some do not. Many communication
problems can be improved by speech
therapy. Others may never be "cured,"
but children can learn strategies to over-
come difficulties, such as with attention
deficits or stuttering. Only a licensed
speech-language pathologist (SLP) can
tell the difference between something
that will be outgrown from a problem
that needs intervention. If you suspect
your child has a communication delay or
disorder, obtain a screening from a
licensed SLP. Early identification and
treatment often allows children to
become indistinguishable from their
peers during later school years. Therapy
begun early may lead to students who
are on par with peers. The American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association
(ASHA:
www.asha.org) h
as excellent
information for parents on communica-
tion developmental milestones for you to
compare your child’s skills to, and lists of
referrals to credentialed SLP therapists in
your area.
Dr. Christina Z. Luna has been a
speech-language pathologist for 19
years, working with children, adults and
adolescents with a wide range of com-
munication problems and feeding/swal-
lowing disorders. In addition to research-
ing, presenting and publishing works
related to the identification and treat-
ment of speech-language learning and
cognitive disorders, Dr. Luna has taught
courses and supervised clinicians at Kean
University and the University of Guyana.
She is currently in private practice at
Integrated Speech Pathology, LLC
in
Watchung, NJ.
Speech, Language and Back to School
Dr. Christina Luna, CCC-SLP | Donna Spillman-Kennedy, CCC-SLP
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM
SPEECH THERAPY SERVICES?
786 Mountain Blvd, Suite 203B, Watchung
(866) 539-6685 www.IntegratedSpeechPathology.com
We See Adults For:
x
1RQ (QJOLVK $FFHQW 0RGLILFDWLRQ
x
%XVLQHVV &RPPXQLFDWLRQ
x
3XEOLF 6SHDNLQJ ,QWHUYLHZLQJ
x
)DVW 7DONLQJ
x
9RLFH &RQVHUYDWLRQ 7UHDWPHQW
x
+RDUVH 7LUHG 9RLFH
x
3RVW 6WURNH 7UHDWPHQW
x
7UDXPDWLF %UDLQ ,QMXU\
x
)HHGLQJ 6ZDOORZLQJ
x
$VSHUJHU V 6\QGURPH
x
$QG 0RUH
We See Children & Teens For:
x
6SHHFK 6RXQGV $UWLFXODWLRQ
x
9RFDEXODU\ *UDPPDU
x
6HOHFWLYH 0XWLVP
x
6SHHFK 'HYLFHV L3DGV
x
$XWLVP 6SHFWUXP 'LVRUGHUV
x
)HHGLQJ 6ZDOORZLQJ
x
+RDUVH 9RLFH
x
6RFLDO 6NLOOV &RDFKLQJ
x
+HDG 7UDXPD
x
$WWHQWLRQ 0HPRU\
x
$QG 0RUH
Integrated Speech Pathology, LLC
Pediatric, Adolescent & Adult Services
ORBERA
™
Intragastric Balloon is a New
Treatment in Battle Against Obesity
Start Your ORBERA
™
Journey
Right Here, Right Now
Simple Design
Portion Control
3x the Weight Loss of
Diet & Exercise Alone
We specialize in Gastroenterology,
which is the treatment of diseases
and disorders of the digestive system
or gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
%$&% (& (
&" + ( &
%+$ $(& &"*
"##' %&%) !
( #(%$
)"(
"' ( + ,
PAGE 29
