Supporting emerging communicators —
from first words to complex needs
Every child communicates differently. Some need more time. Some need a different pathway. Affinity Therapy works with families to understand how your child's brain is developing, what they're ready to learn, and how you — as their most important communication partner — can support that growth in everyday life.
Who this track is for
LATE TALKERS
Toddlers 18 months – 3 years
Children who are communicating — but not yet with the words parents expect. Often highly engaged, deeply observant, and ready to connect.
AUTISM PROFILES
Early & emerging presentations
Children who may use gestalts, echolalia, or non-verbal communication. We assess their actual language stage and build from there — not from a standard checklist.
AAC EXPLORERS
Any child who may benefit from supported communication
AAC doesn't replace speech — it builds toward it. We help families understand what device or system fits their child's needs and life.
UNSURE?
Start with the discovery call
If you're not sure whether your child fits this track, that's exactly what the free 15-minute call is for. No commitment required.
What a session actually looks like
Every 45-minute session has a natural rhythm — but no rigid script.
OPEN
0–5 min
Following your child's lead
We don't open with an agenda. Marina observes what your child gravitates toward — a toy, a sound, a movement — and meets them exactly there. Connection before learning, every time.
CORE
5–35 min
Play-based language work
Using books, games, or child-led activities, Marina models language naturally — narrating, expanding, and responding — without any pressure for your child to repeat or perform. Over weeks, as trust builds, Marina gradually introduces wait time and gently reduces cues, creating space for your child to initiate on their own terms.
CLOSE
35–45 min
Your debrief + one strategy to try
Marina speaks directly with you — what she observed, what it means, and one specific, doable strategy to weave into your week. Not a list of homework. One thing, done well, makes the difference.
Your role as a parent
Whether you're in the session or observing, you're an active part of the process. This is a family-level shift, not just a child intervention.
Modeling without pressure
You'll learn how to offer language naturally in your child's environment — without drilling, correcting, or prompting responses.
Finding communication moments
Mealtime, bath time, transitions — everyday routines are full of language opportunities. We'll show you how to see and use them.
Reading your child's signals
You'll develop a sharper eye for how your child is already communicating — and what those signals mean about where they are developmentally.
Being in the session (sometimes)
Parent presence is determined by what works best for your child. Some kids do better with parents in the room; others need the space. We decide together and revisit as things evolve.
How we know it's working
Progress in this track is measured in two places — in your child, and in you.
In Your Child
- Initiating communication unprompted
- Increased shared attention and joint play
- Using gestalts, words, or AAC to express wants and needs
- Greater tolerance for new activities and transitions
In You
- Confidence in facilitating language at home
- Knowing how to respond when your child communicates differently
- Less anxiety about milestones; more clarity about next steps
- A shared language with Marina about your child's profile
6
month increments
between formal
milestone reviews
1–2×
sessions per week,
based on your
child's needs
45
minutes per session,
billed at $100
per session
Payment & Billing
Once you're onboarded as a client, you'll receive a text message with a secure link to provide your payment information through IvyPay — a HIPAA-compliant payment platform built specifically for healthcare providers. Sessions are billed per appointment at $100. Aetna members are billed through insurance; you are only responsible for your plan's copay or deductible.
Related services
Late Talker Support
For children 18–36 months with emerging or delayed first words. Covers language facilitation strategies, milestone guidance, and parent coaching so you can support communication in the moments you already share together.
Late language emergence · expressive language delay · early intervention
Learn moreEarly Autism Communication
Coaching-first support for toddlers and young children with early autism profiles, focusing on connection, regulation, and communication in natural environments. You are the strategy — we help you understand how to use it.
Autism spectrum disorder · social communication disorder · early intervention
Learn moreAlternative Communication & Non-Speakers
Exploration and implementation of augmentative and alternative communication — including devices, letter boards, sign language, and visual systems. AAC is not a last resort; for many individuals it opens up expression that speech alone can't provide.
Nonspeaking autism · apraxia of speech · complex communication needs · AAC
Executive Function Support
For children whose communication challenges connect to attention, working memory, and self-regulation. Neuroscience-informed strategies for families and caregivers that address the whole picture.
ADHD · developmental language disorder · neurocognitive differences
Learn moreParent Coaching & Groups
A 6-session coaching program for parents who want to support their child's communication at home. Built around your child's specific profile and your family's daily routines. Available virtually across Tennessee and Kentucky.
Parent coaching · Tennessee · Kentucky · virtual
Learn moreFrequently Asked Questions
Why a specialist
Adult neurologic communication recovery is my specialty
After a stroke or brain injury, the person is still fully there. Their thoughts, their humor, their personality are all intact. What's changed is the bridge between thought and word, and that bridge can be rebuilt. Helping adults do that, after aphasia, brain injury, and stroke, is the work I trained for in skilled-nursing and outpatient rehab, and the work I care most about.
Credentialed and trained for it
M.S., CCC-SLP, licensed in four states, with clinical training in skilled-nursing and outpatient rehab supporting adults after stroke and brain injury.
Methods that fit you
Approaches with a track record, chosen for your goals and the life you want back.
Virtual across four states
Telehealth in Tennessee, Kentucky, California, and North Carolina, from home.
Ready to talk through where your family is?
Consultations are free. There's no commitment — just a conversation about your child.
Schedule a Consultation