Summer Time Fun Time!

I have not been great at posting on my blog.  Last post was a year ago last January!  Yikes!

I have enjoyed helping children and adults with Communication Disorders.  Most recently, I helped a new friend with tongue thrust. 

I studied Tongue Thrust under Dr. Marvin J. Hanson, who was a pioneer in the field, doing research on tongue thrust therapy at the University of Utah.  During my time working at PCMC, our manager requested all the Tongue Thrust cases.   While working at the schools, I was unable to treat Tongue Thrust because it is considered health related, not educational.  I understand this, as students are being taken out of their regular classroom when seeing the Speech/Language Pathologist.

So, when asked about Tongue Thrust Therapy, I didn't feel I could accept payment to provide therapy for something I hadn't treated.  My client agreed to be my guinea pig and we were off.  We have almost completed the final step in a therapy program recommended on the ASHA website by Gal Levy, MS, CCC-SLP.

A local orthodontist office had asked me to leave my business cards for Tongue Thrust referrals.  I am debating about doing that now that we have successfully completed our guinea pig experiment...

My husband and I have been fortunate enough to have what we need to support us financially coming from his job as a Sales Engineer.  Life Skills Academy, LLC, was formed so that we could give back to the community:  through helping kids stay safe in the water through our dba: Little Flippers Swim Academy, my Speech and Language skills or piano lessons.  With us, it isn't about making money, but sharing our skills with others (ok I have to admit- depreciating the pool was under the "pros" column when listing the pros and cons of starting our business).

Please contact me if you would like to discuss Speech/Language therapy for your child or for yourself.  I am happy to help!

We are open for business in Lehi, Utah

Life Skills Academy, LLC is located in East Lehi, Utah.  It is great to be seeing students and helping them improve their communication abilities.  It is especially rewarding to have accomplished a long-time college dream by beginning this private practice after a decade of working for Primary Children's Medical Center and Jordan School District (5 years each).

At present, I charge $45 for a clinical half hour (25 minutes of therapy and 5 minutes for data analysis and reporting) or $90 for a clinical hour (50 minutes of therapy and 10 minutes of data analysis and reporting).  For patients paying for the month in advance (4 session minimum) I offer a 10% discount.  That is, for 4 half hour sessions at $180, with 10% discount the cost would be $162 or $40.50 per half hour session.  

Working from home allows me to attend to the needs of my family while also using my hard-earned master's degree to help others, keep my skills up, and be well rounded.


I, like many private clinicians have moved away from billing health insurances as many insurances do not cover speech/language therapy.  If your insurance does cover therapy, and your deductible or co-pay is more than my hourly rate, I would be happy to help.  I am always happy to answer questions.


I will be scheduling evaluations and therapy sessions during school hours so that I can continue to meet the needs of my children.  

The school system is required by law to provide speech/language therapy free of charge to children from birth through early adulthood.  Contact your neighborhood school for information for the developmental preschool in your area.  You might also consider therapy at a local university where students are supervised by a licensed SLP and prices are reduced.

Trent and Valerie form a new partnership!

After being in business as Little Flippers Swim Academy for the past 6 years and relocating to Lehi, Utah, we have decided to take our business to the next level. 

Valerie is finally able to begin her Private Practice in Speech/Language Pathology as well as continuing to manage our swim business.  In order to form one business and meet Lehi City laws for home businesses, we are joining forces under the name of:  Life Skills Academy, L.L.C.  Please note that we will still answer to and can be found as Little Flippers Swim Academy.

Valerie will be seeing speech/language students part-time during the school year while our young children are at school.  Please contact Valerie at 801-282-5965 if you are interested in making an appointment.

We anticipate registering for our 2016 Summer Swim Season in April or May of 2016.  Please visit us at littleflippersswimacademy.blogspot.com