Pediatric Speech Therapy
in Newport Beach & Torrance, CA
Empowering Children to Communicate with Confidence
Is your child struggling to speak clearly, express themselves, or follow directions? Whether they’re trying to say their first words or making friends at school, strong communication skills are essential for success at home, in school, and in life.
Our expert speech-language pathologists (SLPs) help children and teens build the communication skills they need to thrive. Call today to book your appointment, and let’s help your child reach their fullest potential.
What Is Pediatric Speech Therapy?
Pediatric speech therapy helps children improve how they speak, understand language, and interact with others. Our licensed speech team are trained to support all areas of communication so your child can express themselves confidently and connect with others.
It’s important to know that speech therapy can address both speech and language skills:
- Speech refers to how sounds and words are produced (articulation, fluency, and voice).
- Language refers to how we use words to communicate meaning (vocabulary, understanding and expressing ideas, and using language in social settings).
Who Can Benefit from Pediatric Speech Therapy?
Our speech team helps children and teens overcome a variety of communication challenges. Reach out to us for an evaluation if your child:
- Struggles to express their thoughts or follow directions
- Has limited vocabulary for their age
- Is difficult for others to understand
- Stutters or speaks with much effort
- Has difficulty with reading comprehension or storytelling
- Struggles to engage in back-and-forth conversation
- Shows frustration during communication
- Has a diagnosed speech-language disorder such as apraxia
- Has any condition that impacts their speech or language skills, such as autism spectrum disorder, cleft palate, Down syndrome, etc.
- Experiences feeding difficulties, such as trouble chewing, swallowing, or transitioning to new textures
- Shows signs of orofacial myofunctional disorders, such as tongue thrust, mouth breathing, or difficulty with oral rest posture
Our Approach to Pediatric Speech Therapy
At Stepping Stones, we believe therapy should be personalized, engaging, and backed by clinical expertise. Most importantly, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every child’s plan is tailored to their specific strengths, challenges, and developmental needs.
Therapy sessions are play-based, age-appropriate, and built around meaningful activities that keep kids motivated and involved. Our speech-language pathologists use evidence-based practices and collaborate with families to track progress and adjust goals as needed.
Benefits of Speech Therapy for Children & Teens
With our support, your child can make real progress in how they communicate and connect with others. Pediatric speech therapy can help them:
- Improve their speech clarity
- Strengthen their understanding and use of language
- Gain confidence in social and academic settings
- Reduce their frustration related to communication
- Improve their reading and storytelling skills
- Build stronger relationships with friends and family
Client Testimonials
Why Choose Stepping Stones?
For nearly two decades, families across Orange County and the South Bay Area have trusted us for our exceptional pediatric care. We take the time to understand your child and deliver therapy that gets results, and we’re proud to be known for our:
- Highly trained, compassionate therapists
- Expertise in complex communication needs
- Play-based, family-centered approach
- Clear communication and collaboration with caregivers
- Beautiful clinic spaces designed to support comfort and growth
- Recognition as Best of the Best in Newport Beach (2024) for speech therapy
Insurance Information
All paperwork and insurance verification are handled digitally to keep things simple and efficient for your family. We are a vendor for the Regional Center of Orange County, and we currently accept the following insurance plans:
Kaiser
Cigna
Blue Shield
We will verify your insurance benefits as part of the intake process and inform you of any coverage details before your evaluation. Your child may or may not need a pediatrician’s referral depending on your insurance, which we’ll also cover during the intake process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child needs pediatric speech therapy?
If your child is struggling to speak clearly, express themselves, follow directions, use age-appropriate vocabulary, or communicate without frustration, speech therapy may be a good fit. Stepping Stones recommends reaching out for an evaluation so our team can understand your child’s needs and recommend the right support.
What speech and language skills can therapy help with?
Speech therapy can help children improve speech clarity, understanding and use of language, vocabulary, expressing ideas, storytelling, social language, and communication confidence at home, school, and in the community.
Can speech therapy help with articulation, language delays, stuttering, or apraxia?
Yes. Our speech therapists can address articulation, fluency, voice, language skills, stuttering, and diagnosed speech-language disorders such as apraxia. Depending on your child’s needs, we will determine the best treatment plan to support their development.
Do you offer speech therapy for children with autism, cleft palate, or Down syndrome?
Yes. Our therapists at Stepping Stones support children whose speech or language skills are impacted by conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, cleft palate, Down syndrome, and other related conditions.
What happens during a pediatric speech therapy evaluation?
After you contact our office, we will start with a brief intake phone call to understand your child’s needs. Then we will schedule an evaluation for the service that best fits your concerns. This evaluation helps identify your child’s strengths, areas of need, therapy goals, and service recommendations.
How are speech therapy goals created for each child?
Goals are created based on your child’s evaluation findings, strengths, challenges, and developmental needs. Our therapists collaborate with families, track progress, and adjust goals as needed to help your child achieve their developmental milestones.
Is pediatric speech therapy available in both Newport Beach and Torrance?
Yes. We offer pediatric speech therapy both in Newport Beach and in Torrance, so your family can receive services at the location that works best for your needs.
Reach out Today
If you’re concerned about your child’s communication or just want peace of mind, don’t wait. Early support can make all the difference. Reach out to Stepping Stones in Newport Beach at (949) 955-0010 or Torrance at (310) 921-8797 and let’s work together to help your child grow into a confident communicator.