Services The Speech Language Pathologists at First Words Speech Therapy develop intervention plans incorporating speech and language goals specific to your child's needs. Parent involvement is critical and mandatory in the therapy in the therapy process to ensure that speech and language skills carryover to thier natural environment and daily living activities. What is Speech Language Pathology? THe practice of diagnosis and treatment of a communication disorder. The following is a list of communicative disorders treated at First Words Speech Therapy. Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)– A disability that affects behavior and communication. Articulation Disorder – The most common speech disorder. Difficulty producing speech sounds in a clear manner that can be easily understood by listeners. Fluency Disorder – A disruption in the natural flow of speech. Also know as stuttering. For example, the child may repeat sound in words or entire words. Phonological Disorder – The child may have difficulty understanding how sounds within a language combine to convey meaning. Expressive Language Disorder – the child has difficulty expressing thoughts or feelings in a clear and precise manner. Receptive Language Disorder - The child has difficulty understanding language. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Therapy – Therapy emphasizing an alternative method of communication for individuals who are unable to communicate using speech. Motor Speech Disorders – An impairment in the movement process of the speech musculature. Apraxia of speech is a motor speech disorder that affects the programming of speech musculature movement.