Family and Community Services

Our family services are designed to involve and support the entire family throughout the therapy process. We recognize that effective speech and occupational therapy extends beyond individual sessions, so we work closely with parents and caregivers to provide guidance, strategies, and resources for use at home.

Parent Coaching

The goal of parent coaching is to make daily life easier and parenting more effective. We understand that the key to finding an approach that works is rooted in understanding your unique family dynamic.

Our Parenting Specialists partner with the parent to tackle specific issues, build confidence and develop effective strategies. We offer tailored guidance rooted in evidence-based practice in order to empower, validate and cheer you on.

Whether you are looking for issue-specific solutions or more general guidance, we are here to help. Sessions can address an array of issues such as:

  • Tantrums
  • Feeding
  • Sleep Issues
  • Improving Connection
  • Work-life Balance
  • Building Resilience
  • Creating Routines
  • Difficult Behavior
  • Building Independence
    and more!

Preschool/Playgroup Parent Talks

Parenting Series: 4 One Hour Talks

  • Picky Eating
  • Managing Big Emotions
  • Tackling Tantrums
  • Building Resilience

Preschool Topics:

  • Screening Prep
  • Speech and Language Milestones
  • Fine Motor Development and Pre-Writing Skills
  • Creating a Sensory Friendly Classroom
  • In-Service for Parents and/or Staff: 90 min

We are happy to create a customized talk for your group!

About Our Coaches

Elizabeth Clark McKenzie, MS, CCC-SLP is an Early Childhood Development Specialist with over 15 years of experience working with infants, toddlers and preschool age children. After becoming a mother herself, Elizabeth found herself humbled and in awe of the many facets of parenting. She quickly realized that parenting advice is not “one size fits all” and set out to provide support to parents that is both personalized and realistic. Above all, Elizabeth aims to empower and encourage her clients so that they can discover a more joyful parenting experience.

Tina Long, M.Ed. has been supporting families for over 2 decades and approaches all collaboration with the same philosophy: Parents are the very first experts of their families and know best when it comes to what will work in their homes with their children. Tina supports parents to clarify their aims, identify areas of friction that show up throughout their days, and move towards connection with who and what is important. Tina is also able to provide parent support related to academics, IEPs, 504s and Disability specific guidance.

IEP Advcocay/Coaching

Skill Builders now offers IEP Coaching Services for parents and caregivers who want to expand their understanding of the IEP process and increase their preparedness for the next IEP meeting.

Individualized Services are provided by Tina Long, Learning Specialist/Master IEP Coach, Jane Bomba, SLP and AAC Specialist, or Amanda O’Connor, SLP and AAC Specialist.

Specific Services May Include:

  • Parent Coaching Sessions
  • IEP Review with Recommendations for Goals and Accommodations
  • IEP Meeting Attendance
  • Specialized Recommendations for Related Services (e.g., speech-language services, occupational therapy, assistive technology services)
  • Individualized goals and instructional support recommendations for children using augmentative and/or alternative communication (AAC)

Please contact cari@skillbuildersllc.com to set up an initial call!

AAC Parent Group

Skill Builders hosts an AAC Parent Group dedicated to parents of children/young adults using AAC. This group is intended to provide support, resources, and a network for parents of AAC users. It meets virtually multiple times throughout the year and is communicated to parents through our contact list. This group is open to all parents of children using AAC in the DMV and is free of charge. If you are interested in this group or would like to be added to the contact list, please email Jane Bomba, MS CCC-SLP at jane@skillbuildersllc.com.

LAMP Study Group

Skill Builders hosts a Language Acquisition Through Motor Planning (LAMP) Study Group. This group is intended for professionals working with children or adults who use AAC and follow LAMP methodology. We welcome speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, teachers, ABA providers, paraprofessionals, social workers, psychologists, and pediatricians. The group meets virtually multiple times throughout the year and is communicated through our contact list. If you are interested in this group or would like to be added to the contact list, please email Jane Bomba, MS CCC-SLP at jane@skillbuildersllc.com.

Skill Builders is a private tutoring, speech-language, and occupational therapy practice seeking to foster positive changes in the daily lives of children and adults through education, intervention, and advocacy.

Copyright 2024 Skill Builders, LLC |  info@skillbuildersllc.com