Welcome!
pat van slyke, PH. D. Owner of Speech pathology consultants, LLC. photo credit: perren photography
Dr. Pat Van Slyke is an engaging, highly qualified and well respected speaker, retired-professor, writer and provider of clinical services. Her expertise and services span over forty years in schools, universities, hospital clinics, private practice, workshop/in-service speaking and consulting. She is the president of Speech Pathology Consultants, LLC. Her specialized area of research is Landau-Kleffner Syndrome (LKS).
Dr. Van Slyke has specialized in working with children as young as three years through the K-12 school age student with special needs. Children who struggle with early speech and language development are at great risk for challenges with literacy and academic success.
At the helm of educational curriculum are the teachers who deliver the instruction, and when students have challenges, many support personnel, such as the speech-language pathologist, special educator, and/or reading specialist are also involved in the student’s instruction.
As an engaging and knowledgeable professional who has taught at many different levels, and has observed, assessed and provided intervention for language challenged children, I work with teachers and support personnel in the language/ literacy connection, differentiated instruction and Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) writing. Bringing my knowledge of evidence – based practice (EBP), my clinical expertise, and my understanding of curriculum and instructional standards to educators is a professional mission.
Telepractice/Teletherapy:
Dr. Van Slyke has been doing Teletherapy with children in schools and on a private basis for the past year. Her technology skills have a strong foundation from teaching at two universities, with some courses being delivered completely on line. The transition from face to face therapy, using her skills as a speech language pathologist, were a natural progression in therapy delivery. As the pandemic encroached on the world, alternative, safe and yet appropriate speech and language therapy still needed to be provided to children/students.
Dr. Van Slyke uses a HIPPA compliant secure platform to deliver virtual speech language therapy services. In her own words she says: " I actually feel that most students are more attentive in teletherapy because of the technology piece. Most students LOVE technology, so it seems easier to get their compliance for 45 minutes. I also am finding that I am more productive because I am not using time on a drive to see a client." Use the contact tab to reach Dr. Van Slyke to discuss Teletherapy.
Dr. Van Slyke’s commitment to language and literacy, her understanding of the link between early identification and future academic success, and her expertise in assessment, interpretation and classroom differentiated instruction helps students who are challenged in these areas become successful learners.
Testimonial
Dr. Pat Van Slyke has been a true blessing for our family and our 5 year old son Vincent.... He has made tremendous progress with his speech and language skills over the last 3 years. Read more....
Featured In:
Child Language Teaching and Therapy
Brain
Our Philosophy
As a speech-language pathologist with over thirty years of experience, I have observed, assessed and provided intervention for children challenged with speech and language for many different reasons.
Here’s what I know for sure:
Speech and language are developmental and specific skills in both areas can be predicted at certain ages from birth to five years.
80% of language is learned by the age of 3.
Children can be delayed in this development or they can have a specific learning disability in language.
Assessment determines whether it is a delay or a specific learning disability.
Early assessment and intervention are paramount in young children with challenges, whether it is a delay or a disability, to set the stage for success in Kindergarten.
Early assessment and intervention can be successful when provided in a supportive, structured, developmental manner.
Parental support and reinforcement are key to the child’s success.
Understanding and expression of language concepts + clear speech production = excellent communication skills.
Children with language challenges are at risk for the next step of development, which is reading.
Children learn emergent literacy skills during the preschool years that are the foundation for reading readiness (see language literacy section on emergent literacy).
Children who come to Kindergarten with insufficient emergent literacy skills and/or language challenges have difficulty learning sound/symbol relationships, sound blending, sight word identification, and other decoding skills.
While struggling to learn to read, these students are at risk for falling behind in academics.
If children continue to struggle to learn the code and comprehend what they have read by the time they reach fourth grade, most likely they will struggle with reading as an adult.