Inside Our Play-Based, Child-Led, Neurodiversity-Affirming Speech Therapy at Rooted & Rising Therapies

What Speech Therapy Looks Like at Rooted & Rising Therapies

You won’t find ordinary, table-top, flashcard-driven speech therapy here.

At Rooted & Rising Therapies, our speech therapists provide a therapeutic approach grounded in play, movement, sensory regulation, relational connection, and meaningful language experiences. Our team is committed to creating therapy that feels natural, joyful, and supportive of each child’s neurology—not pressured or compliance-based.

Research consistently shows that children learn best through play and when they feel connected, regulated, and genuinely interested in the activity. That’s why all speech therapy sessions at Rooted & Rising Therapies are child-led and centered on therapeutic, play-based strategies that make learning both fun and functional.

What You Can Expect During Speech Therapy

Every child is different, and so every speech therapy session looks different. But in general, you can expect:

  • Your child leading the session—choosing toys, activities, or movement that feel comfortable and exciting

  • Therapists on the floor, in the sensory gym, or moving right alongside your child

  • A strong focus on meeting sensory needs, using tools like swings, crash pads, climbing equipment, calming jars, jumping, or dim lights

  • Sessions that feel like pure PLAY (with therapeutic goals woven into every moment)

  • No power struggles, no strapping your child to a highchair, no forcing, and no pressure-based prompting

  • Parents encouraged to join, observe, or participate as much as they feel comfortable

  • Techniques rooted in neurodiversity-affirming practice—supporting autonomy, co-regulation, and communication dignity

  • Steady, meaningful progress that reflects your child’s authentic development

At Rooted & Rising Therapies, we value connection over correction, co-regulation over compliance, and child-led participation over adult-driven demands.

Our Clinical Expertise

The speech therapists at Rooted & Rising Therapies have extensive experience supporting children ages 6 months to 25 years, with advanced training across multiple specialized areas. Our team includes therapists trained in:

  • SOS Approach to Feeding and feeding/swallowing support

  • NLA (Natural Language Acquisition) for gestalt language processors

  • DIR/Floortime® strategies for relationship-based intervention

  • Sensory Integration and co-treating with occupational therapists

  • Executive functioning and neuro-affirming social skills/communication

  • AAC support, including ASL, LAMP, Proloquo, Proloquo2Go, TD SNAP, and other communication systems

We Support Children With:

  • Late talking (children ages 2–4 with limited or emerging speech)

  • Autistic children with a wide range of language and sensory profiles

  • Gestalt language processors learning through echolalia and scripts

  • Feeding and swallowing challenges, including sensory-based picky eating and pediatric dysphagia

  • Speech and language delays of any kind

  • Children who benefit from a play-based, sensory-supported, neurodiversity-affirming therapy model

FAQ

What if I’m concerned my child has a speech delay, but their pediatrician isn’t?

We offer free speech screenings to help you determine whether your child may benefit from a full evaluation or ongoing therapy.

In Texas, a doctor’s referral isn’t required to begin speech therapy. If you’d like a full diagnostic evaluation, simply call or email us to schedule.

Will my child need another evaluation if they recently had one at another clinic?

No. Children generally only need one formal diagnostic evaluation per year.

Our speech therapists will complete an informal diagnostic session to observe your child’s current skills, understand their communication style, and create an individualized plan of care.

If you already have a recent evaluation, please send a copy to:
📧 hello@rootedtherapies.com

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Private-Pay Pediatric Therapy Explained: How Customized Speech, Feeding, and OT Support Your Child Best

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