Speech therapy is much more than just correcting problems with articulation. Speech therapy also involves addressing problems with reading comprehension, letter-sound recognition, rhyming, vocabulary skills, asking and answering questions and more. Unfortunately, many children can go undiagnosed until they reach a critical stage in their education, and as a result, perform poorly on standardized tests such as the FCAT.
It is important for your child's educational development to identify any difficulties that they may have as early as possible. This "early intervention" makes treatment more efficient and more effective. This website is designed to help you identify the difficulties that your child may be experiencing and give you advice on how to seek evaluation and treatment.
My name is Jennifer Mehlman and I am a State Licensed and Nationally Certified Speech Language Pathologist. I have more than nine years experience evaluating and treating children between the ages of 2 through 15 with various types of speech and language difficulties. I make it easy and fun for both you and your child, and provide help to ensure your child's proper educational development.
All children develop at different rates. However, the following are general guidelines that children typically reach by the age noted:
2 year-old child:
Understands approximately 200 words
Says approximately 50 words
Be able to put two words together
Follows directions that include prepositions such as "in" and "on"
Points to 5 body parts
3 year-old child:
Uses an expressive vocabulary of almost 1,000 words
Produces all vowel sounds and the following consonants: p, m, n, w, h
Uses sentences that follow Subject-Verb-Object format
Uses toys in imaginative ways that are accompanied by sounds & words that explain his/her actions
4 year-old child:
Asks a lot of questions and show increased memory/recall
Uses regular and irregular past-tense verbs
Produces consonants including: b, d, k, g, f, y
About Jennifer Mehlman, Speech Language Pathologist
After growing up in East Brunswick, New Jersey, I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders from West Chester University just outside of Philadelphia. Wanting to continue my education, I moved to Florida and received my Master of Science degree from Nova Southeastern University in Davie.
I began my career as a speech assistant at an elementary school in Coral Springs. In 2001, I accepted a position at Country Isles Elementary School in Weston as a Licensed and Certified Speech Language Pathologist. While working for an agency during after-school hours, I dreamt of opening my own practice. In 2003, that dream became a reality when I opened the doors at my present location.
For the past three years, I have been invited to give guest lectures to Graduate students in the field of Speech Language Pathology. One of the most popular lectures that I have given is "A Day in the Life of a School SLP", in which I discuss various strategies & techniques implemented in both the school and my private practice setting. Additionally, I have spoken at a local church and participated in the "Healthy Kids Day" at the YMCA in Weston as a way to educate parents on possible disorders that may occur and ways to assist in remediating these concerns.
I treat a variety of children with different disabilities ranging from traditional articulation errors (correcting "wabbit" for rabbit) to autism ( a neurological disabilty effecting language skills). I wake up each and every day and look forward to going to my office. I love working with children and helping them grow. My treatment is play-based and parent education/consultation is available after each session. It is a team approach-both the family and myself must give 100% in order for the treatment to be successful. Since carryover in the home is crucial, I equip all of my families with the necessary tools to continue treatment in the home environment.
Speech Language Pathology For Kids1500 Weston Road
, Suite 217
Weston, FL 33326
Map954-336-4259
www.SLP4Kids.com
