From First Words To First Day Of School — We Guide Families Every Step Of The Way

We specialize in early intervention for children birth to 3 and the important bridge years from 3 to 5. These years lay the foundation for communication, learning, and connection — yet families often find gaps in support as regional center services end and school programs begin. We are here to fill that gap with consistent, evidence-based speech therapy that helps little voices keep growing every step of the way.

Focused on play, parent coaching, and school readiness — because the early years matter most. We support all forms of communication, including AAC, to help every child express their needs, thoughts, and feelings.

Service Delivery Options

Every family’s routine looks different — that’s why Nina Austria Speech & Language Services offers both home-based and teletherapy sessions designed around your child’s comfort and your family’s needs. Currently offering home-based services in select areas of the South Bay and teletherapy across California.

  • Home-Based Sessions

    • Providing therapy in your home allows learning to unfold naturally during play, meals, and daily routines. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, Part C) identifies the child’s natural environment as the most effective place for early learning. Research supports that when parents are coached to embed strategies into familiar routines, children show stronger communication and social outcomes (Dunst et al., 2014). Home-based sessions make therapy part of real life — not something separate from it.

  • Teletherapy Sessions

    • Teletherapy allows families to access high-quality early intervention from anywhere. With guidance and modeling from your SLP, parents learn to use everyday moments to build language, even through a screen. Studies have found that telepractice in early intervention leads to strong parent satisfaction and comparable child outcomes to in-person therapy (Behl et al., 2017). This flexible model ensures that consistent support is always within reach — even when in-person visits aren’t possible.

  • Why It Matters

    • Both service options keep therapy focused on what truly drives progress — family participation, meaningful routines, and consistent opportunities to communicate. Whether in your living room or through a screen, we help families turn everyday interactions into lasting communication growth.

  • References

    • Behl, D., et al. (2017). A multisite study evaluating the benefits of early intervention via telepractice. Infants & Young Children, 30(3), 147–161

    • Boisvert, M., et al. (2012). Telepractice in the assessment and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 13(6), 423–432

    • Dunst, C. J., et al. (2014). Community-based everyday child learning opportunities: Evidence, practice, and policy implications. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 33(4), 191–202

    • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C – Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities

Services We Offer

  • Our early intervention assessments are play-based and dynamic, designed to help us understand how your child communicates, learns, and interacts in everyday routines. During these early years, we know that the best way to learn about their communication skills is through natural play and interaction — not just structured testing.

    During the assessment, we look at all areas of communication, including:

    • Expressive language (how your child uses words, gestures, or sounds to communicate)

    • Receptive language (how your child understands words and directions)

    • Social and pragmatic skills (how your child connects, plays, and communicates with others)

    • Speech sounds and articulation (how clearly your child produces sounds)

    • Voice and fluency (how your child’s voice sounds and how smoothly they speak)

    Assessments typically include a parent interview, play-based observation, and informal or formal testing when appropriate. We also review your child’s developmental history, daily routines, and current strengths.

    Following the assessment, families receive a comprehensive written report that outlines your child’s communication profile, identifies areas of strength and need, and provides personalized recommendations and treatment goals to support meaningful progress.

    Our goal is to make the process comfortable, collaborative, and informative — giving families clear next steps and confidence in how to best support their child’s communication journey.

    AAC Assessments

    What it is:
    An AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) assessment is a comprehensive, individualized evaluation that helps determine the best communication system for your child. AAC includes any tools or strategies that support communication — from picture boards and communication books to high-tech speech-generating devices like TouchChat or Proloquo.

    What it entails:
    During an AAC assessment, we take time to get to know your child’s communication style, strengths, and needs through play, observation, and parent input. We look at how your child expresses themselves, understands language, and interacts with others during their everyday routines.

    The assessment may include:

    • Observing your child in natural settings such as play or daily routines

    • Exploring a variety of AAC tools and systems (e.g., low-tech picture symbols or high-tech communication apps)

    • Identifying motor, visual, and cognitive factors that influence AAC use

    • Providing recommendations for specific systems or devices that best match your child’s needs

    • Offering family guidance on how to introduce and model AAC at home, during therapy, and in school settings

    Who it’s for:
    AAC assessments are for any child who has difficulty communicating verbally or who may need additional ways to express themselves. AAC can support children of all abilities and developmental stages — from those who use few words to those developing more complex language.

    Our goal is to empower families with tools and knowledge that make communication possible in every environment. AAC does not replace speech — it supports and enhances communication, giving children a voice while speech and language skills continue to grow.

    For families interested in private pay services, please contact us directly for full pricing details. We’re happy to provide clear information about rates and what’s included in your child’s individualized therapy plan.

  • Therapy sessions are designed around measurable goals that are meaningful for your child and family.

    We provide ongoing progress monitoring and regular progress reports so you can see growth over time.

    Our therapy sessions are play-based, child-led, and neuroaffirming, designed to meet your child where they are and build upon their natural strengths and interests. During the early years of communication, work is play — so we use play as the foundation for learning and connection.

    Therapy often takes place on the floor, following your child’s lead through Floor Time and other play-based approaches that encourage exploration, communication, and engagement. Every session is individualized to target your child’s specific goals, such as:

    • Expanding vocabulary and early language

    • Supporting functional communication in everyday routines

    • Strengthening attention, play, and social skills

    • Encouraging turn-taking, imitation, and shared enjoyment

    Our approach is language-enriched, neuroaffirming, and culturally and linguistically responsive, ensuring therapy reflects and honors your child’s home language, background, and family values. We aim to make every session meaningful, respectful, and relevant to each child and family we serve.

    AAC Integration in Therapy

    For children who use AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), therapy is centered around making communication natural, meaningful, and empowering. I incorporate AAC into sessions through modeling without expectation — showing your child how to use their device during play, routines, and interactions without pressure to respond right away. This approach allows children to explore, experiment, and discover their voice in a safe and supportive environment.

    AAC is used alongside all other forms of communication, including gestures, sounds, signs, and spoken words. We embrace total communication, valuing every attempt your child makes to connect.

    Each device is personalized to reflect your child’s world — adding vocabulary that’s relevant to their daily life, favorite activities, and family routines. I also ensure the system is set up to support your child’s current communication level while creating room for growth as new skills develop.

    Equally important, we focus on ensuring proper access — making sure your child can physically and visually navigate their device with comfort and confidence. Through collaboration with families, caregivers, and other team members, AAC becomes an integrated part of your child’s everyday communication journey.

    For families interested in private pay services, please contact us directly for full pricing details. We’re happy to provide clear information about rates and what’s included in your child’s individualized therapy plan.

  • Included with therapy

    We believe parents and caregivers are essential partners in therapy. Each session includes parent coaching and collaboration so families can learn strategies to continue progress at home. By incorporating key communication partners into each session, we help ensure your child’s new skills carry over into their daily life — where communication matters most.

    Workshops for Families
    Throughout the year, we offer parent workshops on select dates. These group sessions give families extra tools and strategies to encourage communication, play, and connection at home.

Insurance & Payment

Logo of Westside Regional Center featuring a stylized wave and moon graphic.

Nina Austria Speech & Language Services is proudly partnered with Westside Regional Center to provide early intervention speech and language services for eligible clients.

At this time, we do not directly accept insurance. However, we gladly accept private pay and can provide a superbill (an itemized receipt) for families who wish to submit documentation to their insurance provider for potential reimbursement.

Please note: reimbursement from your insurance company is not guaranteed and depends on your individual plan’s policies. We encourage families to check with their insurance provider to understand their specific coverage for out-of-network speech therapy services.

Our goal is to make access to quality, family-centered speech therapy as simple and transparent as possible.

How We Help Little Voices Grow

Our framework keeps therapy simple, consistent, and effective:

Colorful children's toys and decor arranged on a woven rug. Includes a rainbow-shaped wooden stacking toy, a basket of wooden balls, a blue felt cloud with white hatched lines, a painted mat with trees and clouds, and other small items.

Assess

We start with a comprehensive evaluation to understand your child’s strengths and needs.

Wooden Scrabble tiles spelling out the word "PLAY" on a wooden surface with a blurred green leafy background.

Coach

During play-based therapy, we partner with you and model strategies you can use in everyday routines.

Various watering cans and hand-painted birdhouses on a wooden shelf outdoors.

Grow

We track milestones together and adjust strategies as your child develops.

What We Do

By focusing on these areas, our early intervention services celebrate each child’s unique way of learning and communicating, helping them thrive at their own pace while equipping families with tools to support growth across daily life.

  • What It Is: Pre-linguistic foundations are the early communication behaviors that support language development, including gestures, joint attention, and turn-taking. These are the building blocks for functional communication.

    Why It Matters: Early use of gestures and shared attention predicts later communication abilities. By recognizing and supporting each child’s natural communication style, we help them develop skills that form a foundation for language and social connection.

    Therapy Approach: We use naturalistic, play-based strategies and responsive interaction techniques that fit within your child’s everyday routines. This may include modeling, reinforcement, and creating opportunities for meaningful communication.

    Impact: Supporting pre-linguistic skills early helps children express themselves in ways that work for them, fostering confidence and promoting long-term communication growth.

  • What It Is: Play is a primary way children explore, learn, and communicate. It includes symbolic play (pretending a block is a car), social play (taking turns), and creative exploration.

    Why It Matters: Play supports language, social-emotional skills, problem-solving, and imagination. It allows children to practice communication in a natural, enjoyable way that honors their interests and abilities.

    Therapy Approach: We use guided play techniques that follow your child’s lead, embedding communication opportunities into fun and meaningful activities. Play becomes the medium through which children strengthen language, interaction, and social skills.

    Impact: Engaging in play-based communication helps children connect with peers and adults, build relationships, and develop skills that support lifelong learning and social participation.

  • What It Is: Parent coaching empowers caregivers to support communication in everyday routines, tailoring strategies to each child’s unique learning style.

    Why It Matters: Research shows children make greater progress when families are active partners in their development. Coaching fosters a collaborative relationship where caregivers can confidently encourage communication in ways that fit naturally into daily life.

    Therapy Approach: We guide parents in using strategies such as modeling, responsive interaction, and focused stimulation, all personalized to your child’s strengths and preferences.

    Impact: Consistent, strengths-based support across environments strengthens communication skills, nurtures confidence, and enhances family connections.

  • What It Is: School readiness includes the skills children need to engage confidently in learning, social interactions, and early literacy activities. This covers listening, self-regulation, turn-taking, expressing ideas, and emerging literacy skills.

    Why It Matters: Developing these skills early supports success in school environments. Children who are supported in ways that match their communication style and strengths tend to engage more fully in learning, form positive relationships, and enjoy academic experiences.

    Therapy Approach: We focus on playful, individualized activities that build early literacy, social communication, and executive functioning skills. We emphasize following each child’s interests, using meaningful contexts, and honoring their ways of processing and expressing information.

    Impact: Children with a strong foundation in these areas are better able to navigate school, participate socially, and approach learning with confidence, promoting positive outcomes in both academics and relationships.

Get Started

We’d love to connect and learn more about your child and how we can support your family.

Schedule your complimentary 30-minute call to discuss your child’s needs and how we can support your family.

Availability is based on current therapist openings.

We can’t wait to hear from you!