Speech, Language, and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
WELCOME!
More Than Words Speech Pathology, PLLC is a private speech language pathology practice that provides personalized therapy to children and adults in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Our office is located in the heart of Park Slope.
We value the "whole" because communication is far more than words. We specialize in providing interventions and evaluations that are designed for each unique individual, incorporating strengths and preferences with evidence based practice. We believe that one size does not fit all.
oUR PHILOSOPHY
Design intervention specifically to meet individual needs, promote functional communication, and foster meaningful interactions
Use a unique, holistic, and neurodiversity-affirming approach based on evidence based practice, individual strengths, interests, learning style, and cultural experiences
Meet the child or adult where they are in their development
Value multicultural aspects of communication disorders and appropriate service delivery to culturally and linguistically diverse populations
Collaborate with parents/caregivers as active members of the treatment process, as well as other professionals such as PTs, OTs, pediatricians, ENTs, dentists, orthodontists, teachers, and psychologists
comprehensive EVALUATIONS
Individual & Group Therapy
parent/Teacher workshops
Meet talar
Talar Galian-Hernandez, M.S., CCC-SLP, TSSLD is the founder and lead speech therapist of More Than Words Speech Pathology, PLLC. She is a New York State licensed and American Speech Hearing Association (ASHA) certified speech-language pathologist in New York City. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at Iona College, and a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Long Island University - Brooklyn with an emphasis on multicultural language development. Talar has taken part in communication intervention research on autism as well as intensive stuttering programs for people who stutter and their families; she was also an award recipient of the Teach NYC graduate scholarship with the NYC Department of Education and has supervised clinical fellows and graduate students. Talar holds a professional certification as a Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) and ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). Talar is in the process of obtaining her QOM training (Qualified Orofacial Myologist).
Talar has extensive clinical experience with children and adults across several settings including hospitals, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation centers, private clinics, public and private schools. She has provided intervention and assessment services to children with autism, expressive and receptive language delays and disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, social pragmatic disorders, selective mutism, orofacial myofunctional disorders, fluency disorders (stuttering and cluttering), cognitive impairments, reading and writing disabilities, and hearing impairments. Talar also has experience working with adults diagnosed with aphasia, motor speech disorders, traumatic brain injury, fluency disorders, voice disorders, dementia, and/or dysphagia. She believes in using a client-centered, developmental approach when conducting evaluations and creating treatment plans.
In her spare time, Talar enjoys chasing her 2 sons around Prospect Park, drinking coffee, and traveling with her family.
Early intervention is crucial. When intervention is delayed, it takes four times as long to intervene in 4th grade as it does in late kindergarten due to brain development and the increase in content for students to learn as they grow older
Bilingualism does not negatively impact language development. Research shows academic advantages of being bilingual including benefits in problem solving/multi-tasking skills, as well as increased cognitive flexibility
Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) are atypical patterns of behavior involving the oral and facial musculature that can impact correct breathing, swallowing, speech, jaw growth, and oral rest posture. SLPs who are are trained in OMDs evaluate structure and function to help find the root cause. A "tongue thrust" is not an OMD itself but rather a symptom of one. Treatment of OMDs consists of exercises to retrain the muscles of the oral cavity to establish nasal breathing and proper oral resting posture
Phonemic awareness instruction helps children learn to read. SLPs are trained in phonemic awareness and can help children develop the skills they need for reading and writing. SLPs assess the linguistic underpinnings of reading and writing and can help children develop foundational skills. "The best predictor of reading difficulty in kindergarten or first grade is the inability to segment words and syllables into constituent sound units (phonemic awareness)" (Lyon, 1995)
Autistic children who use scripting (e.g., delayed echolalia) to communicate may process and develop language in a different way. These children are described as Gestalt Language Processors (GLP); the Natural Acquisition Framework (NLA) developed by Marge Blanc offers insight into linguistic milestones that is used to help GLPs build and develop self-generated language. Caregivers and professionals can learn more about GLP and NLA at www.meaningfulspeech.com
Parents can help their children develop language skills at home through natural contexts and play. SLPs can help train parents and caregivers on how to help elicit language at home by using strategies throughout daily routines
People who stutter show large and significantly different intervention effects when compared to those not receiving intervention. SLPs who specialize in stuttering can help not only children but young adults and even older adults make significant progress toward fluency (Stuttering Foundation of America)
SLPs help individuals with aphasia relearn how to use language or develop alternative means of communication. They work to help develop problem-solving, language necessary for activities of daily living, and social skills needed to cope with the after-effects of a stroke
DId you know?
let's chat
(929) 675-7140
We provide office, in-home and school-based services across Manhattan and Brooklyn, as well as tele-therapy services.
Our office is located at 116 Prospect Park West Brooklyn, NY 11215
Please fill out the form below or email info@morethanwordsny.com
to schedule a free initial consultation!