NOTICES
May 2009:
Now Hiring Speech-Language Pathologist for Bellevue, WA location. Part time employment or independent contractor. CCC-SLP required.
August, 14th, 2007:
New Location in Bellevue!
We are excited to pass on news of our move to a new location in Bellevue! It is a beautiful space with a little more room for us to breathe and grow. You can expect that we will be set up and providing therapy in the new office beginning September 4th, the Tuesday after Labor Day.
The new address is 12737 Bel-Red Rd, #260, Bellevue, WA 98005. It is located on the second floor (elevator and stairway access available). We will be just 1.2 miles west of our current location.
We are looking forward to serving you and your child in our new and improved location!
August 7, 2007: After numerous delays, the new Seattle/Wallingford location is ready for business! We are excited to have the major construction on our newest location finished. Although cosmetic changes will be continue over the next several weeks, the space is finally functional and we are looking forward to seeing you and your children in our new office. Thank you for your patience over the past few weeks!
The following article is taken directly from the online edition of "Journals Newspaper", June 18, 2007, from their Monthly Features "Business Watch" column. An abbreviated version did also appear in print in the North Seattle, Ballard and University editions. Business Watch
Carol Ray, M.A., CCC-SLP expands speech therapy practice in Wallingford
In addition to her Bellevue location, Carol Ray has had a small speech therapy practice in Wallingford for the past three years. With a waiting list that keeps getting longer, Ray was excited to take advantage of a recent opportunity to move into a larger space and expand the clinic so she can accommodate more children and families. The larger facility will allow her to provide services that she had not been able to in the smaller location, space for group therapy/social language groups.
Having worked as a pediatric speech-language pathologist since 1993, Ray is passionate about her work. "Can you imagine any better profession? I get to 'play' all day!" Ray said. "And, the rewards that come from having helped people to communicate - which inherently enhances their relationships and improves so many aspects of their lives - are priceless."
Therapy is individualized to meet patient and family needs. "I use a social-pragmatic approach (as compared to ABA) in my work with children on the Autism Spectrum and their families. The emphasis is on meaningful communication exchanges in naturalistic interactions. For these young children in particular, parent and family involvement is crucial," said Ray. "I often like to begin with what is called a DIR/Floortime approach, or at least incorporate aspects of it. It is specifically designed to encourage and support the relationship between the child and the parent (or other communication partner), so that it is the parent who is empowered and able to affect change in the communicative relationship with coaching from the therapist. Although designed for families of children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder), it is a very useful technique for building relationships when there is any kind of language/communication impairment that affects interactions and relationships."
Another specific method used at Ray's clinic includes the PROMPT technique for motor-speech/articulation issues. It is a hands-on approach designed to develop the most normalized motor control for speech as is possible for each individual. It's used for all kinds of issues that impact intelligibility of speech, including muscle weakness/low tone and/or motor programming issues that result in impaired articulation.
While Ray individualizes her approach for each client, "I always keep in mind that children are children, no matter what their challenges, and children learn through fun, motivating interactions and activities, and play." she said.
Ray's background experience with children aids her in understanding more holistically how children develop and how to make the most impact when working with them. This includes things like developing a strong and trusting relationship with not only the children but also with their parents, and understanding the needs of children beyond speech and language skills (but which impact them) such as cognitive, motor and sensory issues, temperment, and motivation.
Ray's new clinic is located at 2205 N 45th St., Unit A in Wallingford. Call for more information or to make an appointment at (206) 849-3937.