Language & Literacy Disorders
Speech Therapy in Houston
Language & Literacy Disorder
These type of Disorders are about deficits in the comprehension of language or in the effective sharing of thoughts, feelings, and ideas. This disorder, much like other ones, can be subdivided into different categories/issues. Please click below on the different types of disorders to learn more, or learn more about our assessments and treatments.
At Genesis Family, we assess and treat the following Language and Literacy Disorders:
Speech Therapy in Houston
Late talkers
A child may be considered a late talker when their language skills are below expected developmental milestones, without the presence of another diagnosed disability or global developmental delay. Many late talkers go on to develop age-appropriate language skills by the preschool years; however, some children remain at increased risk for later language and literacy difficulties.
Signs your child may benefit from a speech-language evaluation around 24 months include:
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Using fewer than 50 spoken words
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Not yet combining words into simple two-word phrases (e.g., “my ball,” “more milk”)
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Difficulty answering simple questions (e.g., “Where is the doll?”)
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Frequent frustration related to communication
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Relying more on gestures or sounds than words to express needs and ideas
If you have concerns about your child’s communication skills, a speech-language evaluation can help determine whether support is needed and provide guidance for fostering language development at home.
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Receptive Language Disorder
A receptive language disorder refers to difficulty understanding spoken language. Children with receptive language challenges may struggle to follow directions, understand gestures, answer questions, identify objects or pictures, or make sense of stories and jokes. Because language may not be easily understood, these children can sometimes appear not to be listening, seem distracted, or appear disengaged, when in fact they are having difficulty processing what is being said. A speech-language evaluation can help determine whether receptive language difficulties are present and guide appropriate support strategies.
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Expressive Language Disorder
An expressive language disorder refers to difficulty communicating thoughts, wants, needs, and ideas through verbal and/or nonverbal language. Children with expressive language challenges may struggle to use grammatically correct sentences, select appropriate words, and organize their language in a way that is clear and meaningful to others. These difficulties can lead to frustration, especially when a child knows what they want to say but has trouble expressing it.
Children with expressive language difficulties may demonstrate the following:
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Difficulty naming objects
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Limited or ineffective use of gestures
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Difficulty asking questions or making comments
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Challenges with grammar and sentence structure (syntax)
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Limited variety of words used
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Overuse of filler words (e.g., “um”)
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Difficulty telling or retelling a story in a clear, organized way
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Frustration related to communication
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Literacy Difficulties
Children with spoken language disorders are at higher risk for literacy difficulties. Speech-language pathologists assess pre-reading, reading fluency, and comprehension skills, creating individualized plans to support literacy development. We emphasize narratives and literature, using storytelling and shared reading to strengthen speech, language, and social communication while addressing multiple communication goals in an engaging, developmentally appropriate way.
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Evaluation of Language & Literacy
The evaluation begins with a parent interview to discuss concerns about your child’s language skills. Depending on your child’s age and needs, the assessment may include standardized testing, observation of play, evaluation of new learning, a recorded language sample, cognitive assessment, and an oral mechanism exam—all conducted in a fun and comfortable environment. After the evaluation, you will receive a detailed report outlining your child’s communication abilities, along with recommendations and a plan of care if appropriate.
Speech Therapy in Houston
Treatment
Our treatment plans are individualized, flexible, and tailored to each child’s needs.
Intervention for Preschool-Aged Children
For preschool-aged children, language intervention focuses on supporting parents as the primary facilitators of their child’s communication development. Rather than therapy happening only during sessions, our approach emphasizes teaching parents effective strategies they can use throughout daily routines and play.
In this model, the speech-language pathologist serves as a coach—demonstrating techniques, providing guidance, and offering feedback—while parents carry out these strategies in natural, engaging ways at home. This approach is known as parent-implemented intervention.
Research shows that children often make stronger and more lasting progress when parents are actively involved in therapy, compared to receiving therapy from a speech-language pathologist alone. By integrating language-building strategies into everyday interactions, children benefit from frequent, meaningful opportunities to grow their communication skills.
Therapy may include:
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Parent coaching and play-based therapy
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Vocabulary and sentence-building
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Storytelling and narrative skills
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Early literacy and phonological awareness
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Imaginative play and conversational skills
Intervention for School-Aged Children:
For school-aged children, language and literacy therapy is a combination of therapeutic approaches that are often blended together and adapted to each student’s individual strengths. Therapy may be clinician-directed, using structured and drill-based activities, or child-centered, with therapy goals intentionally embedded within activities chosen by the child. Additional approaches may include movement-based task-oriented activities, targeting goals within stories and narratives, and providing supportive scaffolding to help children progress at an appropriate level. Therapy goals are carefully selected to support academic success and effective communication, and may include:
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Academic language and curriculum-based vocabulary
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Sentence structure, grammar, and written expression
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Appropriate language use in school and social settings
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Reading fluency and comprehension
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Metacognitive skills for learning and self-monitoring
AAC
Treatment with AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)
Intervention for language impairments may incorporate AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), which encompasses tools and strategies used to support or supplement spoken language. AAC can range from low-tech methods, such as gestures, signs, or pointing, to high-tech solutions, including tablet-based communication apps. AAC is an effective treatment for any age and for a variety of conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, aphasia, and ALS, providing a reliable means of communication in daily life.
Therapy at Genesis Family
At Genesis Family Foundation, we believe in providing mental and medical care services that are both compassionate and effective. Our therapists are highly qualified professionals who specialize in addressing a wide range of mental health and relationship concerns.
While our approach is rooted in biblical principles, we welcome individuals of all faiths, backgrounds, and cultures.
OUR PROCESS
How The Process Works
Free Consultation
Sign up for a free, 15-minute consultation through the request form at the bottom of this page.
You will be contacted to schedule your consultation.
During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to explain why you are seeking therapeutic services as well as have the opportunity to hear more about the counseling department. During this call, you and the therapist will be able to identify if your needs can be met through the counseling department, and if you mutually decide to proceed with scheduling your first appointment.
First Session
Once your first appointment has been scheduled, you will receive information pertaining to the informed consent paperwork. You will also be asked to complete a document on your basic background information to submit prior to your first session, which will further inform your therapist on your specific needs and history.
Finally, payment information will be collected for your file, although you will only be charged after each scheduled session time.
During your first session, your therapist will review informed consent documents and you and your therapist will collaborate to identify your specific treatment goals and plan.
Meeting Treatment Goals
Once your treatment goals have been met, your sessions will begin phasing out until treatment is no longer needed.