Speech Therapy, Social Skills Training, Occupational Therapy
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1 more
Address: 904F Washington Road
| Westminster, MD
21157
Rating: 4.42
(13 reviews)
Insurances:
Aetna,
AmeriGroup,
Cigna,
Medicaid,
Medicare,
Tricare,
UnitedHealthcare,
Optum Health / United Behavioral Health,
Ages Served:
Children to adults
Care Settings:
In-clinic,
AboutReviewsServicesInsurancesFAQ
About Frankly Communicating - Westminster
Frankly Communicating was established in January of 2006 by Miss Heather. Her vision behind this small private practice was to open a small office where families could come and receive quality services focusing specifically on the needs of the clients. Miss Heather wanted to accept insurance so that those families who did not have the funding for private therapy would also have an opportunity to receive extra help.
Please note that without member information we cannot guarantee that
your specific plan covers these services. We recommend asking the care
provider before beginning services.
Aetna
AmeriGroup
Cigna
Medicaid
Medicare
+ See More
904F Washington Road,MD,21157
Get in Contact
(410) 871-2990
franklycommunicating@gmail.com
Reviews
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My son is improving so much with her help And he looks forward to his appointments every week
marisol randall
17 March 2024
google review
Frankly communicating is the best place for speech and occupational therapy. We have been there for 8 years now. Every therapist is sweet and kind and they are always professional. Their kindness is top notch. Heather Franks only hires the best for all her clients. I highly recommend to any parent or grandparents if your child needs a little extra help this is the best place for you. My granddaughter is 100 non verbal. Thanks to them she communicates just fine we dont get huge meltdowns because she cant talk. I love her therapist Magen and Jodi they are absolutely amazing
Angela Callari
17 August 2023
google review
I absolutely love everything about Frankly Communicating. I have had my grandson in therapy there since 22018. Heather has been a life saver in so many ways. Not only has she worked with him on his speech she recognized his lack of fine motor skills. She set him up in OT as well. During his transition to living with me full time I had a lot to learn about how the IEP process worked and she was there to help guide me. Her advice has been spot on everytime. In my opinion you couldnt ask for a better place to take your child for help. Every therapist there is fantastic and we will continue until Heather feels he is ready to stop.
Dawn Johnston
17 August 2023
google review
My sons have been attending speech therapy at Frankly Communicating Westminster location for many years. During this time Ive watched them grow leaps and bounds with their communication skills. During Covid pandemic and virtual speech I was astounded by their interactions with Ms. Heather and found myself listening in so that I could repeat strategies used during sessions with my boys Since then my long time wish for social skills therapy has come true and Ms. Heather with the help of some really wonderful speech therapy interns have put together a great group of teens to work together on complicated social interactions. They even planned and enjoyed a social outing to the National Aquarium in Baltimore We are so pleased with the services provided by Frankly Communicating and there arent enough stars to give to show our appreciation for our boys continued successKaren Jennings mom of twin teens
Karen Jennings
17 August 2023
google review
My grandson received services at Frankly Communicating for over 3 years. His therapist was amazing and caring. Most importantly she made him feel comfortable and have fun during his therapy sessions. I would highly recommend the facility for any family in need of services.
Claudia Swiecicki
17 August 2023
google review
My daughter has been seeing Megan for four years and I cannot say enough about how much she has grown Friends and family are blown away by how much clearer she speaks and their ability to understand her. We are so grateful for the flexibility kindness and awesome service Frankly communicating has provided.
Holly Johnson
17 August 2023
google review
My son gained a lot of skills in his expressive output. We have used Heather and some students completing their speech degrees in person and over Zoom. Heather is kind but firm. This is exactly what is needed in a speech therapist. She takes our Carefirst BCBS insurance. I highly recommend this practice.
K Brown
17 August 2023
google review
My son was recently diagnosed with a speech delay in just a few weeks. He has been making some progress such as talking more and attempting to use a sentence rather than just pointing to objects or saying one word sentences. He has a long way to go but so far my husband and I are so very pleased with the treatment and lessons. Hes learning so far.
Beth Cap
17 August 2023
google review
Our son has been seeing Miss Jen here for a long time. She is fantastic and clearly loves the kids. Highly recommend
Stuart Luff
17 August 2023
google review
My son completely blossomed with the help of Heather and her associates. I highly recommend Frankly Communicating for anyone in need of speech therapy occupational therapy and physical therapy. My child made amazing leaps and bounds from their compassion and care. Thank you for your dedication.
Heidi DeVeas
17 March 2022
yelp review
So lets start with the name. Its a speech therapy office not a cell phone store. When I called the insurance company they asked if I would like Dr. Cassidy....
Monica D.
30 April 2014
Frequently Asked Questions
Speech therapy is almost always recommended for autistic children since many people with autism have difficulty with social communication. Even if a child is very verbal and says a lot of words, they might need to work on communication skills like:
responding to questions
starting or ending conversation
changing conversation topics
using gestures like pointing
understanding other people's body language
Speech therapy is a big focus in early intervention for autistic children and is usually the starting place for recently diagnosed kids. There is a critical period in the brain for language development and so, it's really important to teach language and communication skills as early as possible, especially if there are any delays in that area. Your child will learn effective ways to communicate which will help them grow into more independent and confident individuals.
It might be obvious when a child struggles with speaking —they are very quiet, say only a few words, or don't speak at all.
Spot speech and language delays like a doctor here.
The goal of speech therapy is to help your child communicate effectively with other people across all environments. This may take the form of using gestures, simple signs, verbal speech, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Some other common things speech therapists can help with:
Nonverbal skills, such as signs or gestures
Forming speech in a clearer way
Communicating thoughts and feelings clearly
Understanding and responding to questions
Discerning facial expressions and their corresponding emotions
Noticing and understanding body language
Feeding and swallowing
Stuttering
Here are a few alternative options to consider:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps by identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It's useful for those dealing with social anxiety or difficulties. CBT addresses cognitive patterns and provides strategies to manage social challenges.
Group therapy: Group therapy offers a supportive space where individuals can practice social skills. They can feedback from peers and a therapist. It allows interaction with others who understand and learn from each other.
Play-based interventions: Play therapy or play-based interventions work well for younger children or those who learn through experiences. Play activities target specific social skills like turn-taking and problem-solving in a safe and engaging setting.
The occupational therapy process includes an OT evaluation before care starts. Here are the four steps your family can expect when starting occupational therapy:
Complete OT evaluation. An occupational therapist first identifies your child’s strengths and needs through a thorough OT evaluation, also known as an OT assessment or screening. You’ll answer questions about your child’s skills, and your child will most likely demonstrate their skills via hands-on activities with the therapist. Evaluations can last 30 minutes to a few hours.
Approve OT plan. The therapist develops a care plan with individualized goals and customized interventions based on your child’s needs. You can also share any specific goals or concerns before approving the OT plan.
Start therapy sessions. The therapist works directly with your child and your family, using various strategies and exercises to systematically improve areas of limitations and to build upon a child’s strengths. Some exercises your child might participate in are animal walks, obstacle courses, and therapy swing activities. Your family may learn strategies for supporting your child’s individualized needs at home, such as ways of supporting emotional regulation and sensory processing. The therapist may also recommend tools and techniques to use at home, in the community, or in the classroom to help your child succeed.
Monitor your child’s progress. Parents and caregivers can expect ongoing progress monitoring and communication to ensure the child is achieving their short and long-term goals.
Occupational therapy can also be provided virtually via telemedicine. Virtual therapy is a great option for families in rural areas who may not have access to in-person services, or for families who prefer to have therapy in their child’s home.
Virtual OT allows the opportunity for increased caregiver participation and understanding of a child’s strengths, areas of improvement, and generalization of skills in the child’s home environment. Virtual therapy also provides increased opportunities for caregiver and family education to support the child and the family based on each family’s needs.
Once you find a quality physical therapist you want to work with, here are a few things you need to know:
There will be an evaluation. First, you can expect an assessment to identify your child’s areas of strength and needs. A physical therapy evaluation usually lasts 30 minutes.
You’ll review and approve the care plan. The physical therapist will create a care plan, also known as a plan of care (POC), outlining the goals and strategies. They will review this with you and your care team before moving forward with therapy sessions.
Physical therapy sessions will be fun. PT with children is designed to be enjoyable. The therapist will use strategies and exercises based on your child’s needs. Exercises might involve playing on large stability balls, obstacle courses, movement equipment, stretches, and other hands-on activities.
Expect home exercises. Physical therapists commonly assign exercises to work on at home. Doing these exercises with your child outside therapy sessions can improve your child’s overall progress.
Yes! Most providers offer physical therapy in their offices or a clinical setting, but many are offering at-home options. Virtual options have become more popular in recent years. You might facilitate care with the guidance of the physical therapist.
Pediatric physical therapy is considered safe and should not hurt. Autistic children spend their time in PT moving and exploring their environment. If you are concerned about your child experiencing pain during certain exercises, especially if they may struggle to communicate and advocate for modifications, speak with their physical therapist about your concerns.
Get in touch with Frankly Communicating - Westminster