ElenaPatten,Ph.D.
* Evidence-Based
* Results Driven
Speech-Language Pathology
Specializing in Cognitive-Linguistic Therapies
ElenaPatten,Ph.D.
* Evidence-Based
* Results Driven
Speech-Language Pathology
Specializing in Cognitive-Linguistic Therapies
A unique approach to treatment
Equipped with a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, years of research related to developmental pathologies plus over a decade of clinical intervention, Dr. Patten brings an unprecedented level of expertise to the evaluation and treatment of her clients. By understanding the inner workings of the brain, and not just behavior, Dr. Patten can get at the root cause of issues, and design customized, targeted approaches to effectively treat them using scientific, evidence-based practice. But in the age of information overload, many therapies and products sound efficacious but in fact, have little or no evidence to support them – modern day snake oil. Dr. Patten can sift through methods to ferret out treatments that have true, unbiased positive outcomes.
In addition, excellent intervention must include a true understanding of each child as a unique individual with his or her own strengths and passions. Treatment “priorities” as determined by a standardized assessment may not result in the most important improvements in life. Instead, treatment priorities are determined collaboratively with each family, as they know their child best. This is why Dr. Patten schedules her clients so they are not hurried in and out the door. Further, she encourages communication outside of regular sessions in order to adjust and fine tune intervention and to answer questions as they arise. The goal is to provide intensive treatment such that gains are immediately observed through environmental arrangements while intervening on neurological processes that result in changes in academic and social functioning.
Who will benefit?
Historically, speech-language pathologists have intervened with children who have difficulty communicating due to factors such as problems producing speech sounds, stuttering, or an inability to use language effectively. While today, this scope has broadened significantly. Dr. Patten has narrowed her scope of practice to include only treatments in which she has developed a high level of expertise, including:
1. Language. Language disorders manifest as difficulty understanding what is being said or difficulty using language to effectively communicate. In younger children this will certainly impact behavior, resulting in withdrawal or challenging behaviors. In older children it may impact their understanding of what they have read or their ability to write in a clear, organized manner.
2. Literacy. This includes children who are poor readers, as well as children who are truly dyslexic. Dyslexia is complex neurobiological disorder with multiple etiologies characterized by poor reading rate and accuracy. When left untreated, reading deficits can result in poor spelling, comprehension and vocabulary development.
3. Executive Function and Cognition. Cognition is the process by which learning occurs. It includes memory, processing, attention, and reasoning. Executive skills are a manifestation of cognition and have received a great deal of attention in the study of child development; indeed, executive skills have been found to impact long-term academic, social and health, even above and beyond intelligence. Children with executive function deficits are often intelligent but cannot seem to translate their innate ability into school and/or social success. They may be disorganized, have difficulty with emotion control, have difficulty inhibiting impulses or be unable to sustain attention in order to complete tasks.
4. Speech sound disorders. This category contains both language-based and motor-based deficits that produce intelligible speech. In addition, research demonstrates that children who have speech sound disorders are at greater risk for literacy challenges.
Therapy Services
Cognition and Executive Skills
Cognition and Executive Skills
Cognition and Executive Skills