Time Flies when your keeping busy!

I realize I get way too busy when I haven't added a post on my work website for over a year!  I have been busy working on several different projects in addition to the usual family responsibilities.  I have thoroughly enjoyed proving therapy to my students in speech as well as those we see for swimming lessons at LittleFlippersSwimAcademy.blogspot.com.


Hope you are all hanging in there with this global pandemic.  The online teaching and therapy has become much more mainstream with Covid.

Please email me at lifeskillsacademyllc@gmail.com if you are interested in receiving therapy:  Online or in person.

Thanks!

What I love about Speech/Language Pathology

I love continually learning as the field of Speech/Language Pathology advances over the years. 

In order to be licensed, an SLP must complete 32 hours of continuing education every 3 year interval.  I just completed my last interval December, 2018 and am into the new one.   

I also love working with patients and seeing them improve in their communication skills.  Please let me know if I can be of help!

Valerie

Speech/Language Therapy

If you are interested in receiving a speech/language evaluation and/or therapy, please email Valerie at lifeskillsacademyllc@gmail.com.

Class Availability Update

We are getting pretty full on our summer swim lessons, but have a few spots left:

We have a couple classes that are open Thursdays at 2pm and 2:30pm with McKenzi.

We have some spots in semi-private lessons that require placement testing for grouping.  They are in green on our customer portal.  (Times are between noon and 2:30 Tuesdays through Thursdays and 6pm-8:30pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays ranging from preschool to level III.

Please send me an email if you would like to be contacted if spots open up or if you would like us to contact you for summer 2019:  littleflippersswimacademy@gmail.com.

If you are interested in placement testing, we have times set up before or after class on Tuesdays and Wednesdays or can arrange a time that works for you (contact Valerie at the same email above).

Thanks again for your interest!

Spring/Summer 2018 Swimming Lessons

We have been getting calls and emails asking about swimming lessons.  We will begin offering a few lessons in the coming weeks after school hours.

In order to determine levels for semi-private (and possible group lessons), we are offering free placement testing this Saturday, April 14th, 2018 between 1 and 3pm.  Please complete the following registration Google Form:  Swim Registration and Rule Acceptance Form.

If you would like to sign-up for free placement testing:  Please enter your information on this Google Sheet:   Placement Testing

We will have a limited amount of lessons while school is still in.  If our spots fill, we will have a waiting list available.

Please email us if you have any questions.

Thank you!

Valerie

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.