Neurodiversity-Affirming Speech Therapy Services for Children and Adults in Portland, OR
In-Person Speech Therapy Services in the Portland, Lake Oswego, Tualatin, and Beaverton areas. Virtual speech services in Oregon and California. Parent coaching available worldwide.
The Echo Creek Approach
At Echo Creek Speech Therapy, our mission is to provide services that are:
Neurodiversity-affirming
Evidence-based
Play-based and child-led
Sensory-supported
We believe in the power of functional therapy. All sessions are designed to build communication skills in natural environments that are relevant and comfortable for the client.
Speech and Language Evaluations
Our services begin with a personalized speech therapy evaluation. We use a mixture of standardized and dynamic evaluation tools to ensure that the client’s true strengths and challenges shine through. Comprehensive evaluations include:
Family interview
Past assessment/IEP or IFSP/Treatment Plan review (when applicable)
Language Sample Collection & Analysis
Standardized and non-standardized measures
Once the comprehensive evaluation is complete, we will review the results and collaborate to develop a treatment plan.
Our Specialties
Gestalt Language Processing/Echolalia
Echo Creek Speech Therapy specializes in supporting gestalt language processors—children who communicate using echolalia—through the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) framework.
Our team is experienced in identifying gestalt language processors who are speaking, minimally speaking, or non-speaking.
Many children who are gestalt language processors develop language in the following ways:
Use scripted phrases or lines from videos or TV shows and movies to express themselves
Speak with expressive, melodic intonation—even if their speech isn’t clear.
Have a large vocabulary of single words but struggle to combine them into two- or multi-word phrases.
Are highly musical—some children may not regularly use spoken words to communicate but can sing or hum melodies.
Often repeat back questions that they are asked
Often reverse pronouns (e.g., saying “Are you okay?” instead of “I’m okay” or “I’m hurt”).
Use an AAC device but are limited to single words or show little progress despite consistent modeling.
Language Development Therapy for Late Talkers
Do you suspect that your child has a language delay? Are they struggling to communicate their wants and needs clearly? At Echo Creek Speech Therapy, we take a play-based approach to developing language skills for those with speech and language delays.
We start with a combination of standardized and informal measures to determine the level of delay. From there, we get to know the family’s goals, as well as the child’s interests as a way to ensure that therapy is always relevant, productive, and most importantly, fun!
Stuttering and Cluttering Therapy for Children and Adults
Do you or your child struggle with fluency concerns? Those with fluency disorders stutter or clutter, which means that speech often sounds bumpy, effortful, rapid, and/or stuck.
Our approach to fluency therapy is holistic and empowering. We work to train the client on fluency strategies and techniques to help them develop smoother-sounding speech. Our fluency therapy is also highly client and family-centered, meaning that a big part of the therapy is to promote self-acceptance and emotional well-being.
