Where do I begin?

Nichols Speech & Language Services is conveniently located in the heart of Temecula, California just off the I-15 freeway at Winchester Road, and is a full-service Speech-Language Pathology facility.  We gladly serve students from the Temecula/Murrieta Valley, Hemet, Lake Elsinore and surrounding valleys, including Corona and Riverside areas.  Not only do we gladly serve the private sector, but we’re also a Network Provider for a growing number of Health Insurance Companies.  Please feel free to contact us at 951-541-0615 to ask questions about the possibility of insurance covering your speech therapy concerns.

Now, when it comes to speech services and the questions you might have, please read further.  The information below will hopefully be helpful, making it easier to understand the world of speech and how to define your concerns.

How do I know if Speech Therapy is needed?

Speech Therapy is based upon a full Speech and Language Evaluation performed by a Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist.  If your child has an evaluation less than 6 months old, in almost all cases, our therapists can develop their therapy strategy based on that evaluation.

If your child has never received a Speech and Language Evaluation, and you’re uncertain about the need for having one, our office offers a free consultation with parent and child to see if a full evaluation is warranted. A full Speech and Language Evaluation typically consists of a several formal language tests, as well as informal observations to assess receptive and expressive language.   The following areas of speech and communication may be assessed, depending on the concerns of the parent or clinician:

What are the Components of Speech-Language?

Speech:

• Articulation – The ability to correctly produce speech sounds.
• Voice – The correct use of the voice.  Also, sometimes medical conditions affect the production of speech and need to be addressed.
• Fluency – Stuttering and/or smooth flow-of-speech.
• Oral Mechanism – The physical structure and functional ability of the lips, tongue, roof of the mouth, teeth and jaw.

Language:

• Auditory Processing – The ability to understand language that is heard or read as it’s used to explain ideas, events, emotions, etc.
• Expressive Language – The ability to accurately and easily explain ideas, events, emotions, etc.
• Grammar – The ability to use correct grammatical structures to formulate sentences.
• Vocabulary – The ability to understand vocabulary that is heard or read and to use appropriate vocabulary that names and describes items, actions and emotions.
• Phonological Awareness – The ability to discriminate between sounds, sequence them and also to segment syllables and sounds of words.

Social Communication:

• Conversation Skills – The ability to choose relevant and interesting topics, staying on topic, asking questions and making comments that develop the topic.
• Non-verbal Communication – The ability to use and understand non-verbal communication techniques such as eye contact, facial expressions, tone of voice and body language.
• Inferential Thinking and Understanding – The ability to make predictions about what will happen next, why things happen and what people may be thinking or feeling.
• Echolalia – Copying all or many of the words or phrases that are heard.
• Literal and Figurative Language – The ability to understand and use humor, sarcasm and figurative language such as idioms.

How Does Speech Therapy Work?

Once Speech Therapy has been determined as needed for your child, please call our office to make your appointment(s) at 951-541-0615:

• Therapy sessions are typically 30 or 60 minutes, depending on the needs and abilities and availability of the child.
• Most sessions are one-on-one.
• We offer small group sessions to facilitate social skills.
• Our therapists are licensed Speech Therapists. (Visit our “Staff” section in this website.)
• Our competent therapists are available Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Temecula/Murrieta area.  In the Corona/Riverside area, therapy sessions are available in the afternoons, evenings and some Saturdays.  Appointments are necessary in all cases.
• Therapy is centered upon the needs, interests and personalities of each client.
• Therapists strive to provide the family as a whole with information and strategies to implement at home so that their child can have the best advantage to progress.

How do I pay for Speech Services?

• We are a network provider for Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, and most Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans (services performed in California with out-of-state home plans) aka “The Blue Card.” Our Office Administrator can help you with questions about speech therapy coverage.
• Acceptable payment methods include Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.