Forte Speech & Language Therapy

12/31/2025

🧩💬 Does Your Autistic Child Struggle With Speech? Let’s Talk About Nonspeaking Autism.

Some autistic children don’t speak — but that doesn’t mean they aren’t communicating.
It also doesn’t mean they don’t understand, or that they won’t ever learn to speak.

At Forte Speech & Language Therapy, we support nonspeaking autistic children using AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) and neurodiversity-affirming care that celebrates every child’s communication style.

In our latest article, we explore:
🧠 What “nonspeaking autism” really means
📱 How AAC tools (like letterboards and speech devices) help children communicate
🚫 Why myths about nonspeaking autism are so harmful
🗣️ How speech therapy can help support expressive language in many forms

Every child deserves to be heard — even if they don’t use words.

📅 Book your appointment with our speech therapy clinic today.

Learn what nonspeaking autism really means, debunk common myths, and discover how speech therapy and AAC support communication.

12/31/2025

When you hear the word “autism,” you might think of a child who’s socially reserved or who communicates in a unique way.

But autism is a spectrum and one of the most misunderstood parts of that spectrum is nonspeaking autism.

If your child is minimally speaking or not speaking at all, it can be hard to know what that means for their development, communication, and future.

Some autistic children may benefit from significant support from a pediatric speech therapist, a pediatric occupational therapist, and other healthcare providers — especially when it comes to developing communication skills.

Unfortunately, many myths still surround nonspeaking autism.

Some assume these children can’t understand others or will never express themselves, but those ideas are outdated and untrue.

At Forte Speech & Language Therapy, we support nonspeaking autistic children using evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming care that honors every child’s communication style.

In this article, we’ll explore what nonspeaking autism means, how it’s different from being nonverbal, and how speech therapy and AAC can help children connect, communicate, and thrive.

https://www.fortespeech.com/understanding-nonspeaking-autism-myths-facts-how-speech-therapy-can-help/?utm_source=FBpost&utm_medium=social

12/18/2025

🧠📚 Could Your Child Have Dyslexia? Here’s What to Look For.

Dyslexia affects how the brain processes written language — and while it’s common, it’s also widely misunderstood.

If your child is struggling to read, write, or recognize letters, you may be wondering:
“What’s really going on — and how can I help?”

At Forte Speech & Language Therapy, our pediatric speech therapists help children with dyslexia build confidence and literacy through personalized, strength-based therapy.

In our latest blog, we explore:
🔍 Early signs of dyslexia in preschoolers, school-aged kids, and teens
🧩 How dyslexia is diagnosed (hint: not with a scan)
🗣️ How speech therapy helps support reading, decoding, and language skills
🧠 Why early intervention can change the game

With the right support, your child can thrive — and it starts with understanding what they need.

📅 Book your appointment with our speech therapy clinic today.

Learn the early signs of dyslexia in children, how it affects reading and language, and how speech therapy can support literacy development

12/18/2025

Dyslexia changes the way your child’s brain processes written letters.

It’s estimated to affect about 7% of people globally, with no correlation to s*x, race, or socioeconomic background.

For many parents, a diagnosis like this can feel overwhelming.

You may have a lot of fears around it.

But these fears may be related to myths and old information about dyslexia that just won’t go away.

In particular, one common myth about dyslexia is that dyslexic children are less intelligent.

This is false.

Dyslexic children are no more or less likely to be intelligent than anyone else.

However, their brains do work differently than most.

If your child has dyslexia, there’s no reason to believe they won’t live a long, happy, fulfilling life.

But they may need some extra support in developing their language and literacy skills.

A great person for this job is a qualified speech pathologist.

At Forte Speech & Language Therapy, our speech therapy services for children can help by creating custom strategies that leverage your child’s strengths and self-confidence.

But like many pediatric learning differences, early intervention is important.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the early signs of dyslexia, how it’s diagnosed, and how speech therapy can help support your child’s literacy and communication skills.

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12/11/2025

🧠💖 Are You a Parent of an Autistic Child? This Is for You.

Parenting can be beautiful — and exhausting.
When you’re raising an autistic child, the emotional labor, advocacy, and decision-making can feel endless.

You deserve support, too.

At Forte Speech & Language Therapy, we believe that self-care is not selfish — it’s essential.

Our latest article explores:
💬 Why self-care matters for parents of autistic children
🧩 How your well-being supports your child’s success
🕰️ Common barriers to self-care — and how to overcome them
🌱 Practical strategies to help you feel more grounded, rested, and supported

You’re not a bad parent for feeling tired. You’re human.
And taking care of yourself helps you take better care of your child.

📅 Book your appointment with our speech therapy clinic today.

Learn why self-care is essential for parents of autistic children, common barriers caregivers face, and realistic ways to protect your well-being.

12/11/2025

As parents, we're often told to put our children first.

But in the process of giving our all, we sometimes forget an essential truth: taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your child.

This is true for any parent, and it’s especially true when parenting an autistic child, whose needs may look different from their non-autistic peers.

The extra emotional labor, advocacy, and decision-making involved can leave caregivers exhausted, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to make space for their own well-being.

That’s why this article is just for you — the parent or caregiver of an autistic child.

Not to talk about therapy goals or strategies for your child, but to focus on you — and why self-care is not just important, but necessary.

We’ll explore what self-care really means, why it’s essential for parents of autistic children, and how to make it more achievable even when time and energy feel scarce.

https://www.fortespeech.com/self-care-tips-for-parents-supporting-an-autistic-child/?utm_source=FBpost&utm_medium=social

12/04/2025

Can Speech Therapy Support Mental Health? Yes — Here's How.

Communication shapes so much of who we are — and when it’s difficult, it can deeply affect confidence, relationships, and emotional well-being.

At Forte Speech & Language Therapy, we support individuals of all ages whose speech or language challenges may be contributing to:
😞 Anxiety or depression
🗣️ Social withdrawal or low self-esteem
🤐 Trouble expressing thoughts or feelings
👧 Emotional and behavioral difficulties in children

Speech therapy can:
💪 Build communication confidence
🧠 Support emotional development
🤝 Complement mental health care
💬 Provide tools for connection and self-expression

You don’t have to navigate communication challenges alone.

📅 Book your appointment with our speech therapy clinic today.

Struggling with the emotional impact of a speech or language disorder? Learn how speech therapy can support your mental health, boost confidence, and improve communication for both children and adults.

12/04/2025

Communication is at the heart of everything we do.

It’s how we connect with others, express our needs, share our stories, and make sense of the world.

So it’s no surprise that when speech or language differences arise, they can be deeply frustrating — even isolating.

Whether it’s difficulty putting thoughts into words, trouble understanding others, or challenges with clarity and fluency, communication differences can affect confidence, relationships, and emotional well-being.

As speech and language therapists, we see every day how these struggles can impact mental health, especially when left unrecognized or unsupported.

But we also see how the right interventions can make a meaningful difference.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the relationship between speech and language disorders and mental health, from early childhood through adulthood.

We’ll explore:

- How communication challenges can affect emotional development
- The signs to look for in both kids and adults
- And how speech therapy can play a supportive role alongside mental health care

https://www.fortespeech.com/can-speech-therapy-improve-mental-health-heres-what-you-should-know/?utm_source=FBpost&utm_medium=social

11/27/2025

Thinking About Feminizing Your Voice? We’re Here to Help.

Exploring your voice as a trans woman can be empowering — but it also comes with questions.
✅ Do I need estrogen?
✅ Will my voice ever "pass"?
✅ Should I get surgery?
✅ Can I train my voice if I haven’t come out?

At Forte Speech & Language Therapy, we offer affirming, personalized voice feminization coaching in Los Angeles and online across California.

🗣️ Build a voice that feels authentic
🌈 Get support wherever you are in your transition
🎤 Learn techniques to modify pitch, resonance, and intonation
💖 Work with a compassionate coach who gets it

Your voice is valid — and we’re here to help you shape it into something that reflects the real you.

📅 Book your appointment today.

Curious about voice feminization? In this FAQ guide, we answer common questions about transgender voice training for trans women — including techniques, timelines, and what to expect.

11/27/2025

Exploring your identity as a transgender woman can be a deeply validating and transformative experience.

For many trans people, the coming out journey marks the beginning of a life that finally feels aligned with who they truly are.

But that journey can also come with challenges — including a wide range of decisions about how (or if) to physically or socially transition.

What name feels right for you?

What pronouns reflect your identity?

Will you pursue medical support during your transition?

And what about your voice?

Deciding whether to pursue voice modification is deeply personal — and there’s no right or wrong answer.

Some trans women choose to work with speech therapists to help feminize their voice.

Others explore voice training on their own.

And some decide to embrace the voice they already have.

Whatever your choice, your voice is valid.

If you’re a woman, your voice is a woman’s voice — period.

That said, if you’re curious about voice modification and want to explore your options, we’re here to support you.

At Forte Speech & Language Therapy, we offer transgender voice feminization services in LA and online throughout California.

In this article, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about voice feminization for trans women — including what it involves, how it works, and what you can expect from the process.

https://www.fortespeech.com/transgender-voice-feminization-faq-guide-for-trans-women/?utm_source=FBpost&utm_medium=social

11/20/2025

🧩🖐️ Does Your Autistic Child Struggle With Motor Skills or Daily Routines?

Motor skill and sensory processing differences are common in autistic children — and the right support can make a meaningful difference.

At Forte Speech & Language Therapy, we offer individualized occupational therapy to help autistic children:
🏃‍♂️ Build balance and coordination
🧠 Strengthen fine motor skills
🎯 Improve sensory processing
🧺 Gain confidence in daily routines

Our OT team uses strengths-based, play-based strategies tailored to your child’s needs — right here in Los Angeles.

📅 Book your appointment with our therapy clinic today.

Occupational therapy can help support motor, sensory, and life skill development in autistic people so that they can live meaningful, independent lives.

11/20/2025

Does your child have an intense interest in their specific hobbies?

Do they have difficulty maintaining eye contact?

Do they show a strong desire for routine, and become stressed out when that routine is disrupted?

If so, these are some of the signs of autism in children.

Now, autistic children can live happy, fulfilling, meaningful lives, just as much as their allistic peers.

But sometimes they need a little support along the way.

In particular, it’s common for autistic children to have differences in their fine motor and sensory skills.

Pediatric occupational therapy can help.

At Forte Speech & Language Therapy, we offer a variety of therapeutic services in Los Angeles to help children reach their fullest potential.

Our occupational therapists are here to support your autistic child in building on their strengths and learning new skills.

We’ll work with your child to understand their needs and create an individualized support plan.

Occupational therapy focuses on supporting your child’s development across areas such as motor skills, sensory processing, and daily living routines.

This can increase their confidence and provide them the opportunity to live life to the fullest.

In this article, we’ll explore how occupational therapists support autistic children, and how we can help.

https://www.fortespeech.com/how-occupational-therapy-helps-autistic-kids-build-motor-skills-and-confidence/?utm_source=FBpost&utm_medium=social