Speech-Language & Literacy Services
Our Speech-Language & Literacy Services encompass a wide range of essential offerings tailored to enhance your language abilities and literacy skills. Whether you're seeking evaluation to identify your strengths and areas of improvement, expert consultation for guidance on the best path forward, or personalized treatment plans designed to empower your communication and literacy journey, Harbor Education Strategies is dedicated to providing comprehensive support. With a focus on individualized care, we are committed to helping you achieve your communication and literacy goals, guiding growth and steering success every step of the way.
Evaluation
Language is the foundation for all speaking, listening, reading, writing, and higher-order thinking skills. Effective spoken and written communication is crucial for both academic and interpersonal development. Every learner possesses a distinct combination of linguistic strengths and areas that require improvement as they navigate their academic and social path. Determining your child’s specific cognitive-linguistic profile will support informed decision-making in regards to education and treatment planning with the goal of maximizing growth in a timely manner.
Evaluations begin with a parent interview and review of background information, and then draw upon a diverse array of information sources, encompassing both formal methods such as standardized tests and criterion-referenced assessments, as well as informal methodologies such as analyzing language/writing samples, reviewing class work, and employing dynamic assessment approaches.
Types of Evaluations Offered
Pediatric Spoken Language
Evaluation of expressive, receptive, pragmatic (social) and supralinguistic language skills.
Spoken & Written Language
Evaluation of spoken language, phonological processing, memory, reading, writing, and executive functioning. Consideration of IQ testing when available.
Articulation
Evaluation of speech sound production to identify errors and tailor personalized treatment plans.
Speech Fluency
Evaluation to assess rate of speech, speech prosody and speech fluency.
Evaluation follow-up for all assessments comprises verbal feedback on the evaluation day and the delivery of an extensive written report to your residence. This written report will encompass diagnoses, impressions, recommendations, and an individually tailored treatment plan. In addition, a parent meeting will be scheduled for in-depth discussion of results and recommendations.
Treatment
Harbor Education Strategies provides therapy that is multi-sensory, structured and systematic, using research-based methodologies tailored to each individual, guided by data, adaptable to evolving needs, and involves collaboration with families and other support professionals. The following types of treatment are offered:
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Types of Treatment Offered
Language Instruction
Targets improving comprehension and use of vocabulary, syntax, morphology, narrative skills, social communication skills, higher-level language skills and phonological awareness.​
Literacy Instruction
Grounded in the principles of the science of reading and targets early literacy skills, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, sight word recognition, encoding, structural analysis, reading fluency, reading comprehension and writing.
Speech Production
Instruction
Addresses reduction of speech sound substitutions and omissions, elimination of phonological patterns, improving rate of speech and speech fluency.
Executive Function Instruction
Targets developing metacognition to learn effective learning and study strategies, task initiation, planning, organization and self monitoring.
Consultation
Consultation services are offered to caregivers seeking to better understand their student’s linguistic and academic profile, and to determine the most effective and efficient next steps in fostering growth. This may entail reviewing, interpreting and explaining outside documentation (private or school-based testing, Individualized Education Plans, etc.), advising on direct services, accommodations, and treatment goals, collaborating with school-based teams, and strategy instruction and coaching for caregivers.
Specialties
Speech, Language and Learning Disabilities
Developmental Language Disorder
Dyslexia
Dysgraphia
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Speech Sound Disorder
Genetic Disorders
Down Syndrome
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Fragile X Syndrome
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Turner Syndrome
Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Executive Function Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Social Communication Disorder
Evaluation follow-up for all assessments comprises verbal feedback on the evaluation day and the delivery of an extensive written report to your residence. This written report will encompass diagnoses, impressions, recommendations, and an individually tailored treatment plan. In addition, a parent meeting will be scheduled for in-depth discussion of results and recommendations.
Financial Considerations
Payment for services are due in full on the date of service. Harbor Education Strategies exclusively accepts cash, checks, venmo or credit card payment and does not currently offer direct insurance billing services. After services are provided, many families opt to pursue reimbursement from their insurance providers independently. We will provide an invoice with billing codes necessary for you to request reimbursement under your insurance plan’s out-of-network benefits. It's important to note that insurance companies have varying policies.
Other Offerings
Christina Strain Schortmann
Coastline Counseling & Wellness
LICSW Owner & Clinical Director
Christina is a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years experience working with teen and adult clients in outpatient hospital, correctional facility, clinic and public school settings. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and utilizes a strengths based approach. Christina maintains licensing in Massachusetts (LICSW) and Connecticut (LCSW). She is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Divorce Mediation, Parent Educator/Coordinator for Divorcing Parents, Connecticut School Social Worker, Connecticut Special Education Teacher (K-12), and Drug and Alcohol Interventionist.
