Children's Speech and Language Center

Children's Speech and Language Center We provide individualized, compassionate care that goes beyond compliance-based methods

Happy Wednesday. Another wonderful reminder from the Speech Den
09/10/2025

Happy Wednesday. Another wonderful reminder from the Speech Den

🎉✨ CSLC is officially 3 years old today! ✨🎉In just three short years, we’ve had the absolute honor of serving over 125 f...
08/27/2025

🎉✨ CSLC is officially 3 years old today! ✨🎉

In just three short years, we’ve had the absolute honor of serving over 125 families. Along the way, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with incredible OTs, PTs, and school-based professionals who share our passion for supporting kids and families.

We’re especially proud that about 85% of our referrals come from current and past families—a true reflection of the trust and connections we’ve built together. That kind of support means the world to us and reminds us why we do what we do every day.

To our families: thank you for making CSLC what it is. Your children inspire us, your encouragement fuels us, and your trust allows us to grow.

08/19/2025

🎉Attention (again 🙂)🎉
The openings in our schedule are filled! Our waiting list is open for now.

Welcome to all our new families!

An important Saturday message
08/16/2025

An important Saturday message

08/11/2025

🎉Attention🎉
We have some openings in our schedule for new clients! Go to our website and complete a new client inquiry form to schedule your consultation.

A parent recently told us:"I didn't know he was learning because you guys just play… but his language has come such a lo...
08/06/2025

A parent recently told us:
"I didn't know he was learning because you guys just play… but his language has come such a long way since we started last year!"

This is one of our favorite things to hear, because it means the magic of play-based therapy is working.

Play-based therapists can be so sneaky.

Here’s why learning through play is so effective:

-Play is how children naturally learn. It’s their language, so when we meet them there, learning becomes meaningful and memorable.
- It builds connection. Kids are more likely to communicate when they feel safe, seen, and engaged in something fun.
-Play is full of real-life language opportunities. Taking turns, problem-solving, making choices, and asking for help all happen naturally in play.
-It reduces pressure. There’s no demand to “perform”—so children feel more confident experimenting with new words and sounds.

We’re not just playing. We’re modeling language, building social-emotional skills, shaping motor planning, and fostering growth in communication.

It may not feel like work to the child, but a great deal of learning is happening while we "just play" in therapy.

Yes, we are learning size concepts while having bubble parties (pop all the big bubbles/pop all the small bubbles).

Yes, we are learning action words while we walk across our numbered water mats (let's run over the numbers, let's crawl over the numbers, let's stomp over the numbers.)

Yes, we are learning to follow directions while we sit at our kitchen table, making endless cups of pretend coffee (first we need our teapot, and then we need a cup.)

Yes, we are learning social skills while we act out a scene from a child's favorite TV show.

Learning does not need to be "earning" favorite toys after performing certain skills. Learning does not need to be using worksheets or crafts. The best tool you have is the ability to embrace how each child plays.

Sessions resume tomorrow! We are so excited to see everyone. Remember to email Alyssa if there are any changes to your s...
08/03/2025

Sessions resume tomorrow! We are so excited to see everyone. Remember to email Alyssa if there are any changes to your schedule

07/29/2025

Here is the final piece of information we would like to share regarding resources for learning about ABA.

ABA often appears under different names or is embedded within other programs that don’t openly identify themselves as ABA. Look for the following terms/programs:

- "Play-based" ABA
-ABA and relationship-based therapy (e.g., DIRFloortime, SCERTS, Hanen)
-Verbal Behavior (VB)
-VB-MAPP
-The Lovaas Approach
-Interview Informed Synthesized Contingency Analysis (IISCA)
-Relational Frame Theory (RFT)
-Pivot Response Treatment (PRT)
-Natural Language Paradigm (NLP)
-Learning Experiences: An Alternative Program for Preschoolers and Their Parents (LEAP)
-KASPAR
-Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
-Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
-Functional Communication Training (FCT)
-Gemiini Systems
-Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI)
-PECS
-Positive Behavior Support (PBS)
-Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
-The PEERS Program
-Son-Rise

Again, this is not an exhaustive list, but some phrases to look for.

07/29/2025

We appreciate the professional dialogue that our announcement yesterday encouraged. Even when there are differences in approach/philosophy.

Disagreement can be healthy. But at our clinic, our direction is clear.

We will continue to center and amplify autistic voices, and we are proud to support and advocate for Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs).

We stand firmly in our commitment to neurodiversity-affirming, child-led, connection-first therapy—always. If interested, here is a list of excellent resources created and run by autistic adults. I encourage all of you to listen to and validate their lived experiences with ABA.

-NeuroClastic. Publishes essays and personal stories from autistic writers, especially those of color and LGBTQ+ backgrounds, offering critiques of ABA.

-Foundations for Divergent Minds (FDM). Q***r, neurodivergent‑run resource hub offering alternatives to compliance-based therapies.

-Therapist Neurodiversity Collective. Autistic-led professional network that explicitly rejects ABA and promotes trauma‑informed, neuro‑affirming alternatives.

-Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). Firmly opposed to ABA. Offers toolkits, policy statements, and personal stories.

-The Autistic Advocate (Kieran Rose). Rose is a widely respected autistic speaker and writer who breaks down the harm of behavioral approaches, such as ABA.

-Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN). Support and advocacy for autistic women, nonbinary, trans, and gender-nonconforming individuals.
..These are just a few resources; there are many more.

Yes, we’re experts in our field. But we’re not the experts in being autistic.

Lived experience matters. Listening makes us better.

Important Clinic Update-ABAThis announcement pertains to new clients only. Not current families. Our mission has always ...
07/28/2025

Important Clinic Update-ABA

This announcement pertains to new clients only. Not current families. Our mission has always been to honor the whole child, meeting them where they are, following their lead, and supporting communication in ways that are natural, respectful, and deeply connected to their unique needs. It is why Alyssa left previous practices to open CSLC.

As a child-led speech and language therapy center with a strong focus on Gestalt Language Processing, we believe in building relationships rooted in trust, autonomy, and emotional safety.

After thoughtful reflection and in alignment with our clinic’s values, we have made the decision to no longer accept new clients who are currently enrolled in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy.

This decision is not made lightly. While we respect that every family makes the choices they feel are best, our clinical philosophy is not aligned with the behavioral framework of ABA. Our approach emphasizes naturalistic, play-based, and relationship-driven therapy that prioritizes a child’s intrinsic motivation and communication authenticity.

We remain committed to:

-Empowering Gestalt Language Processors
-Supporting child-led interactions
-Advocating for neurodiversity-affirming practices
-Working with families who share these values

We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we create a space where all children feel heard, respected, and safe to be exactly who they are.

We are closed for summer break! Remember that Alyssa is unavailable until August 4th.Have a wonderful summer!
06/13/2025

We are closed for summer break! Remember that Alyssa is unavailable until August 4th.

Have a wonderful summer!

One of the most powerful tools we have in helping children develop language is something they already bring to the table...
06/04/2025

One of the most powerful tools we have in helping children develop language is something they already bring to the table: their special interests.

Today was all about trains and letters. Of course we had to make an alphabet train.

To many, it might look like simple play, but this was a rich opportunity for language development. I followed this client’s lead, and special interests, and used this setup to build rapport, label items, model gestalts, build adjectives into phrases, listen for speech sounds, etc.

Some therapists will say:

“But all the child is doing is lining toys up and perseverating on letters!”

Ok, but what are you doing as a therapist to join a child in their interests and use special interests as a tool?

This is truly the heart of neurodiversity-affirming therapy. It is our job to teach children in the spaces they find motivating. Yes, we lined toys up, but really we did so much more.

When we lean into what a child is naturally drawn to, we invite them into meaningful, connected communication. This is especially important for gestalt language processors, who learn language in chunks and scripts rather than word-by-word.

At home, you can do the same. Notice what captures your child’s attention, whether it’s dinosaurs, trains, or little figurines, and join them there. Use their interest as a doorway to connect, describe, and expand. Real progress happens when children feel seen, safe, and excited to share their world.

Address

815 Ritchie Highway, Suite 118
Severna Park, MD
21146

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 8pm
Tuesday 12pm - 8pm
Wednesday 11am - 8pm
Thursday 12pm - 8pm
Friday 11am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

+14109755863

Website

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