What We Offer at Caring Connections
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Caring Connections offers free, 15-minute phone consultations for families seeking clarity on their child's development. During this chat, we’ll explore your concerns together and see if further evaluation is the right step or if a referral to a related professional might be more beneficial. Our knowledgeable team is dedicated to understanding your unique situation and ensuring you feel supported throughout the process. Remember, you’re not alone; we’re here to walk alongside you on this journey!
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Caring Connections is excited to provide free mass screenings for preschools and daycare centers, showcasing our dedication to the community! We’ve already teamed up with local preschools and centers, and we’re eager to create more partnerships throughout the area. If you're interested in offering this valuable service at your school or center, don’t hesitate to reach out to Maria at office@ccptnc.com! Together, we can make a positive impact on our children's communication skills!
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When it comes to your child's development, conducting thorough and detailed assessments of speech and language skills is absolutely essential for gaining a deeper understanding of their unique needs and challenges. By carefully evaluating these areas, we can tailor our approach to provide the most effective support for your child’s individual development.
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At Caring Connections, our treatment approach is rooted in a neuroaffirming and client-centered philosophy. We understand that every child is unique, and we adapt our interventions to meet their individual needs and strengths. We specialize in a variety of evidence-based treatment strategies and approaches which are embedded in fun and meaningful activities.
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At Caring Connections, we believe that collaboration is central to effective therapy and support for each child. We strongly encourage caregivers to schedule a consultation for a therapist to participate in their child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting if and when appropriate. Furthermore, we invite school administrators to connect with us for Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE). By working together, we can create a holistic strategy that not only enhances the learning experience but also empowers each child to reach their fullest potential. Together, let’s ensure that every child receives the support they deserve.
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Maria has extensive training and experience in diagnosing and treating children with confirmed or suspected Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). She provides consultative services for families and professionals seeking expert advice regarding their child’s motor speech production. In addition, Maria hosts week-long intensives during the summer months and during school breaks, allowing for focused support. Patient acceptance is done on a case-by-case basis. To inquire if these services are suitable for your family, please reach out to Maria at office@ccptnc.com.
Evaluation and Therapy Services
The evaluation process may include a combination of standardized assessments and informal observations to assess your child’s skills. Your therapist will also gather information about your child’s developmental history, strengths, and challenges through a parent interview.
Recommendations for therapy and/or home programs are made at this time.
Evaluations
Our Approach to Therapy
Our approach is child-centered and built around strong caregiver involvement. We believe the best outcomes happen when therapy focuses on each child’s unique strengths, interests, and needs, and when caregivers are active partners in the process.
What that looks like
Personalized goals: We set goals that matter for your child’s daily life—communication, feeding, play, and participation at home, school, and in the community.
Caregiver collaboration: Caregivers are included at every step—assessment, goal-setting, therapy sessions, and home practice. We teach practical strategies you can use during everyday routines so gains carry over beyond the clinic.
Evidence-informed practice plus clinical expertise: We combine research-backed strategies with our clinical judgment and experience. This blend lets us tailor interventions to your child while relying on methods shown to work.
Fun, engaging activities: Therapy is designed to be motivating and enjoyable. We use play, games, songs, and real-life activities so children stay engaged and learn skills more naturally.
Ongoing assessment and adjustment: We track progress regularly and adjust plans as your child grows and changes. This keeps therapy relevant and effective.
Our Specialties
Speech and Language Services
We offer comprehensive speech and language therapy for children with a wide range of needs, including supporting clients with:
articulation and phonological delays/disorders
fluency difficulties, such as stuttering and cluttering
motor speech disorders, such as pediatric dysarthria and childhood apraxia of speech
multimodal communication needs (augmentative and alternative communication)
delays in receptive, expressive, and/or pragmatic language
gestalt language processing/natural language acquisition
Services are individualized to each child and family, with a focus on functional communication skills that support success at home, school, and in the community.
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a speech disorder that makes it hard for a child to plan and coordinate the movements needed to speak. Children with CAS know what they want to say, but their brain has trouble sending the right signals to the mouth to produce clear speech. This can cause speech to sound inconsistent or difficult to understand.
CAS is not caused by muscle weakness and does not resolve on its own, but with specialized speech therapy, children can make meaningful progress. Therapy focuses on helping children learn accurate speech movements while building confidence and communication skills.
Our owner and founder, Maria Evans, has a particular interest in serving families of children diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) or suspected CAS. She has attended a number of courses and trainings to support her expertise in this area. Maria is currently listed as an approved provider through the Apraxia Kids National Registry. Additionally, she is formally trained in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) by Dr. Maria Grigos through the Once Upon a Time Foundation. This foundation is supporting important research for effective diagnosis and treatment of CAS.
Feeding and Myofunctional Therapy
We offer feeding and myofunctional therapy services to support healthy development of the oral and facial structures needed for optimal breathing, safe feeding, and clear speech. Feeding and myofunctional therapy may address concerns such as:
Feeding
Self-limiting diets, picky eating, or food refusals
Pocketing or spitting out food during meals
Difficulty chewing a variety of food textures
Difficulty drinking from a straw or an open cup
Myofunctional
Oral rest posture (tongue, lips, and jaw positioning)
Mouth breathing, nasal breathing, and airway support
Feeding, chewing, and swallowing patterns
Orofacial muscle strength, coordination, and function
We take into consideration the many factors that may impact a child’s ability to eat a well-rounded diet, including medical concerns (such as allergies, reflux, or constipation), sensory differences, and immature oral motor skills. Family involvement is a key part of our approach, and we work closely with caregivers to ensure both the child and family feel comfortable, supported, and confident when introducing new foods.
