About Avivit Ben-Aharon
Founder & Clinical Director at Great Speech Inc. | Providing Innovative Alternatives to Speech Pathology Services
Entries by Avivit Ben-Aharon
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 [...]
Speech Therapy Post-Concussion: Restoring Your Speech and Communication Skills
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
A concussion can turn your world upside down. One moment you’re fine, the next you may be struggling with headaches, dizziness, or confusion. One of the lesser-known effects of a concussion is how it can disrupt your ability to communicate. What is a Concussion? A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) [...]
The Importance of Parental Involvement In Their Child's Speech Therapy Process
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Speech therapy is an important part of intervention for children with speech and language challenges. While speech language pathologists (SLPs) assess, guide, and teach strategies and tools, parents play a pivotal role in reinforcing the learning and strategies that help their child progress. Parent Involvement Matters Parents Understand Their Child Best * While speech therapists are [...]
From Eye Rolls to Actual Conversations: Why Social Communication Skills Matter for Teens
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
The teenage years are an exciting yet sometimes challenging time in a person's life. Teens are gaining independence, navigating their social lives and school responsibilities while also beginning to think about their lives after graduation. Communication is the center of all of these experiences. This includes not only the words they use but [...]
What Causes Speech Delays in Toddlers? Common Causes Every Parent Should Know
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Speech development is a key part of a toddler’s growth, enabling them to express their needs, interact socially, and learn. While every child develops at their own pace, some toddlers may experience noticeable delays in speech and language development. These delays can be worrisome for parents and caregivers; however, understanding the potential causes can [...]
Do Children Naturally Outgrow Lisps?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
It is common for parents to notice a lisp when their child begins speaking in complete sentences. They may say “thun” instead of “sun” or “thock” instead of “sock”. Parents may question: Will my child’s lisp go away on its own? and wonder when to seek help from a speech therapist. What is a [...]
Speech Therapy Goals: What to Expect at Different Ages for Children with Down Syndrome
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Down Syndrome can affect speech and communication in multiple ways. Understanding average speech milestones by age enables parents, caregivers, and educators to support the child and engage the help of a speech therapist when necessary. It is important to note that children with Down syndrome may develop their communication skills at different rates, just as [...]