We specialize in treating young children with communication disorders and reading challenges. It is our goal to provide exceptional speech therapy and dyslexia tutoring in a supportive and engaging manner. We are passionate about helping clients learn new skills, gain confidence and achieve success. We love what we do and appreciate getting to know every child, how they learn best, and what makes them smile.
Evaluation and Therapy Services
A formal speech and language evaluation will help determine your child's strengths and areas where additional support is needed. This will allow us to establish the goals that will be targeted throughout treatment. An individualized plan is created, and parental concerns will be prioritized.
Your child will participate in play-based therapy designed to address their unique speech and language goals. To support ongoing progress, you will receive personalized guidance and home practice activities. Regular collaboration with other therapists and teachers will ensure a seamless transition between therapy and the classroom.
Two types of reading evaluations are offered:
Fundamental Literacy Evaluation: Helps identify your child's strengths and areas for improvement in reading, spelling, and phonemic awareness.
Early Language and Literacy Evaluation: Determines the probability of dyslexia in 5 to 8-year-olds, allowing for prompt intervention and support.
An Orton-Gillingham approach is used to teach reading skills. This approach combines multi-sensory, direct teaching strategies with sequential lessons focused on phonics. If appropriate, the evidence-based Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing Program (LiPS) may be incorporated into lessons.
Treatment Options
A unique and private little schoolhouse near I-79.
An effective and convenient option, with the benefit of green screen "magic".
Services are appropriate for families seeking private therapy as well as those looking for additional support beyond what the county or school offers. Health insurance is not accepted at this time, however documentation can be provided for submission to your insurance company for reimbursement purposes. Affordable self-pay rates are available.
Meet Karen
Karen Tecco Graham, M.A., CCC-SLP is a pediatric Speech Therapist in Sewickley PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh. She is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communicative Sciences and her Master of Arts degree in Communication Disorders in 1991 and 1992. She also holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Early Childhood Special Education from Johns Hopkins University. In 2021, Karen completed Robert Morris University's graduate-level certificate program in Structured Literacy, to further understand and support her students with dyslexia.
Karen is a PA state licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist as well as a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She has experience in a variety of settings, including a pediatric hospital, school, clinic and private practice. Her clinical expertise focuses on evaluation and treatment of a variety of communication disorders, with her greatest dedication and passion for providing therapy services to young students with early speech and language delays and dyslexia. Karen is also a Network Clinical Instructor at the University of Pittsburgh, where she is responsible for training and supervising graduate students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Karen started Sewickley Speech Therapy because she wants to build strong relationships with every family and child, creating a therapeutic environment that supports their unique strengths, interests, and challenges. She understands wanting to provide the absolute best for your child because she is a parent too. She strives to practice empathy and compassion for the struggles that may come with parenting a child with speech, language, or reading difficulties.
When not working, Karen enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, traveling, hiking and kayaking.
Testimonials
"Your creativity is a great gift to the children! Speech therapy has been a truly remarkable adventure for the kids; an extraordinary journey from nonverbal to chatterbox and soon-to-be chatterbox. 😉 and they just have the best time while it happens!!" -K
"Thanks for always doing what is right for him and always assessing if additional goals are needed. I think we are on the same page and always have been. You work on the areas he needs help with as an individual and that’s what I think is helping him most. Thanks for all you do!"-N
"Thank you so much! We love you too much to let you go that easily. You've been amazing with I. and your love for him has always been noticed and appreciated."-Y
"He was so incredibly proud of his certificate:) It almost made me cry! He loved working with you and I can see a great improvement with his speech!"-C
"The goals look great! Thank you for testing him and for all you are doing with him. We are seeing more confidence from W. and he is speaking to friends at school now."-K
"Thank you for almost three years (!) of support. It has been obvious that you have been invested in S.’s success, and we will miss seeing you every week! We appreciate your creativity, sense of humor, and dedication. Thank you again!"-T
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