Private Speech & Language Services for infants, toddlers, and children
zelienople, pennsylvania
MEET MEGHAN!
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Hi families! My name is Meghan Benson, and I am the owner of Peach Therapy LLC. I am so happy that you are here!
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I am a licensed and certified pediatric speech-language pathologist specialized in improving communication skills from birth to kindergarten. Through Peach Therapy, I provide private, in-home speech and language services to children and their families. I am also an independent contractor for Pennsylvania's Birth-Three Early Intervention Program. It is my firm belief that therapy should be play-based, family-centered, and fun! We work as a team to grow your child's speech and language skills as much as possible in the early, most critical years. Let's enter kindergarten feeling confident, prepared, and excited!
Why "Peach"?
The name Peach Therapy was inspired by the children I work with. The "sp" blend, such as in the word "speech", is a later-developing sound. Many of my little ones refer to our time together as "peech"!
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meghan benson, m.s., ccc-slp
Credentials:
Pennsylvania Speech-Language Pathologist State License
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Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
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Pennsylvania Education Specialist I Certification
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Bachelor's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Penn State University
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Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Tennessee
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CPR and First Aid certified
Up-to-date clearances and background check
Grow Language
Grow Speech
Grow Play
Grow Confidence
Should My Child Be Evaluated?
If you are asking this question, please contact me to schedule a free 10-minute phone consultation regarding your child's strengths and needs. For reference, here are some basic communication milestones:
Birth-6 Months
Infants are aware of language from birth. By 3 months, children recognize your voice, and by 6 months, they'll respond to your tone. Children begin to coo, giggle, and babble in this stage.
6-Months - 1 year
Children respond to their name and understand common words. They begin to use gestures, such as waving, pointing, and shaking their head 'no.' Babbling becomes longer and more complex, and a true word emerges around their first birthday.
one - two years
At 18 months, children produce at least 20 true words. They demonstrate understanding of simple directions and questions (ex. "where's mommy?"). By age two, children use at least 50 true words and begin combining 2-words into phrases (ex. "milk please").
TWO - THREE YEARS
Between the ages of two to three, speech and language skills grow rapidly. Children understand more complex directions and respond to simple questions. By age 3, children use 1000 true words and speak in 3+ word phrases. Grammatical markers, such as regular plurals and present progressive verbs, develop. Children use the following sounds: H, W, Y, P, B, T, D, M, N, K, G, F. However, they may only be understood by others in 50-75% of opportunities.
THREE - FOUR YEARS
Between the ages of three to four, children begin to speak in longer, more complex sentences. Grammatical markers continue to develop, and the ability to rhyme emerges. At this age, children respond appropriately when asked "what did you do today?". Their play schemes are advanced, and they begin to tell stories. Children develop the following sounds: S, Z, V, SH, CH, J, L. They are understood by others in 75-100% of opportunities.
FOUR & BEYOND
Children develop the following sounds: TH, R. By age five, a child is understood in 100% of opportunities. They understand complex multi-step directions and concepts, such as time and space. At this age, children become aware of how they use language. For example, they will use simpler speech with a toddler and speak louder in noisy environments. Children can maintain conversation by asking and responding to questions. They use language to discuss abstract concepts, such as what they are planning to do tomorrow.