About Avivit Ben-Aharon
Founder & Clinical Director at Great Speech Inc. | Providing Innovative Alternatives to Speech Pathology Services
Entries by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Speech Regression in Children: What It Is and How You Can Help
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Very few experiences are as exciting for parents as hearing their child say their first clear words. But what happens when a child suddenly seems to lose speech skills that they once had? If you have noticed that your child is talking less than before or even seeming like they have lost words that they [...]
What to Expect During Your First Speech Therapy Session
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Starting speech therapy, whether for yourself, your child, or another loved one, comes with a mix of emotions, including curiosity, hope, and maybe a little uncertainty. People often wonder what actually happens at the very first session. Do you jump right into exercises? Will you be evaluated? How much information do you need to share? [...]
What Is Pressured Speech? Signs, Causes, and When to Seek Help
/ in Uncategorized / by Avivit Ben-Aharon
What is Pressured Speech? Pressured Speech refers to when someone speaks at a faster pace than is typical. Many people dealing with pressured speech may feel like they can’t slow down or stop, even when they try. Pressure speech is different from simply talking quickly as a result of excitement, personality, or just naturally [...]
What Is The Best Age To Start Speech Therapy?
/ in Speech Disorders & Articulation | Virtual Speech Therapy | Early Child Development | Language Disorders / by Avivit Ben-Aharon
What Age is Best for Speech Therapy? Starting in the first few months of life, children begin developing the communication skills that will be the building blocks to help them succeed at home, in school, and later in life. Studies have shown that approximately 1 in 14 (7.2%) U.S. children ages 3-17 have [...]
Types of Lisp Speech Disorders
/ in Speech Disorders | Articulation | Speech Disorders & Articulation / by Avivit Ben-Aharon
The most common example of this is the inability or difficulty pronouncing the letter sounds “s” or “z”. This is most often due to incorrect placement of the tongue within the mouth and is called an interdental lisp. However, this is just one of the four main types. Lisps can be common and normal in [...]
Is Spoonerism a Speech Disorder?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
What is Spoonerism? Spoonerisms are a type of speech error in which the initial sounds or letters of two or more words are swapped or mixed up completely. Most people have made this type of speech error in their lives. In some cases, individuals may produce spoonerisms purposely to be funny. In others, it may [...]
Expressive Language Delay: Everything You Need To Know
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
As parents and caregivers, we keep a close eye on our children’s development. Milestones like first steps and first words are easily recognized, but as their language develops, you may wonder if their communication skills are typical for their age. Your child may understand what others are saying, yet struggle to use words the [...]
Understanding Receptive Language Disorder in Children
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Parents and caregivers keep a close eye on their children’s language development. There are many language development milestones to help track a child’s speech progress; however, sometimes the concern is not what a child can say, but what they understand. A child who is struggling to understand language may have a receptive language [...]
Beyond Words: Understanding Social Pragmatic Communication Difficulties
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
What is Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder Social pragmatic communication disorder (also known as SPCD) is defined by difficulties in using verbal and nonverbal language appropriately in social situations. The most common areas of difficulty relate to: * social interaction (trouble initiating or maintaining conversations) * language processing * understanding others (especially jokes and sarcasm) * non-verbal communication (facial expressions [...]
Great Speech Now Accepts Aetna, TriWest, and Humana Military Insurance
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Great Speech’s mission has always been to remove barriers and bring high-quality virtual speech therapy to people of all ages, regardless of location. We are excited to announce additional partnerships to further extend our services. Effective November 1st, 2025, Great Speech will begin accepting Aetna insurance in all 50 states. In addition, as of [...]
Understanding Speech Development in Children With Autism
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Autism Spectrum Disorder (also known as ASD) refers to a range of conditions that are characterized by challenges relating to social skills, repetitive behaviors, as well as speech and nonverbal communication. A study by the CDC in 2022 estimated that 1 in 31 participating 8-year-olds had ASD. Autism does not look the same for everybody. [...]
What is Foreign Accent Syndrome? Understanding this Rare Speech Disorder
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
What Is Foreign Accent Syndrome? Foreign Accent Syndrome (also known as FAS) is a rare neurological speech disorder in which a person's speech changes suddenly, making it sound like a foreign accent. The individual’s fluency, vocabulary, and grammar typically remain the same. What changes are the way that words are pronounced and [...]