Where Play Sparks Progress
At Play and Say, we provide engaging, individualized speech and language therapy for children of all ages
Welcome to
Play and Say Speech Therapy
At Play and Say Speech Therapy, we love working with children of all ages and neurotypes on their speech and language skills. Whether your child has a diagnosis or is simply developing at their own pace, our mission is to help them find their words and grow their communication. We’re honored to be part of your success team.
Our sessions are designed to feel like play—because that’s how children learn best. We collaborate closely with families to build strong communication skills in a fun, nurturing environment. Using a play-based, child-centered approach, we support development in the areas of:
Articulation & Speech Sound Disorders
Fluency & Stuttering
Language Delays & Disorders
Early Language Development
Social Communication (Pragmatics)
Parent Coaching & Support
Play-based
Because evidence shows that children learn best through meaningful, engaging experiences.
Individualized Approach
Built on collaboration with families, updated goals, and consistent progress tracking.
Sensory-Integrated Strategies
Makes play therapy more engaging and effective by helping children stay regulated, focused, and ready to learn.
What is Play-Based Speech Therapy?
Play-based therapy is a child-led, therapist-guided approach that uses play as the foundation for learning and building communication skills. It creates a natural and enjoyable environment where children are motivated to engage, communicate, and grow.
Why Play-Based?
Children learn best through play—it’s how they explore, experiment, and make sense of the world. By embedding speech and language goals into meaningful play activities, we help children:
- Build attention and engagement
- Develop expressive and receptive language
- Improve social interaction and turn-taking
- Practice speech sounds in natural conversation
- Learn new vocabulary in context
- Feel confident and motivated to communicate
What does a play-based session look like?
Each session is tailored to the child’s interests, strengths, and developmental level. A typical play-based session may include:
- Pretend play (e.g., cooking, shopping, doctor)
- Storytelling with books or puppets
- Games that target turn-taking and sound practice
- Sensory play (e.g., playdough, water play, kinetic sand)
- Structured play routines that embed target words or concepts
All of these are strategically designed to elicit communication, encourage interaction, and support speech and language development—while having fun!
What is your family-centered approach?
We actively involve parents and caregivers by coaching them on how to carry over techniques and strategies into everyday routines, so progress continues beyond the therapy room.
What is Sensory-Based Therapy?
Sensory-based therapy is an approach that supports a child’s communication by addressing how their body processes sensory information—like touch, movement, sound, and more. Some children have sensory processing differences, which can impact attention, behavior, emotional regulation, and communication.
In speech therapy, we use sensory-friendly strategies and tools to help children feel calm, alert, and ready to learn.
Why is Sensory Support Important in Speech Therapy?
When a child is overwhelmed by sounds, touch, or movement—or craves a lot of sensory input—they may have difficulty focusing, engaging, or using language effectively. Sensory-based techniques help:
- Regulate the nervous system (calm or alert the body)
- Improve attention and focus
- Support body awareness and motor planning
- Reduce anxiety or sensory overload
- Increase participation and communication
How is sensory-based support used in sessions?
Sensory-based therapy isn’t a separate service—it’s woven into play and speech activities to create the right environment for communication to happen. Depending on a child’s needs, we may include:
- Movement breaks (jumping, swinging, crawling)
- Fidget tools or sensory bins
- Heavy work activities (pushing, pulling, lifting)
- Tactile play (like slime, sand, playdough)
- Soft lighting or calming music
- Visual supports and routine-based strategies
What is a whole-child approach?
We recognize that communication doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s tied to how a child feels in their body. By supporting sensory needs, we help create a calm, regulated foundation where speech and language skills can truly grow.
Inclusive and
Strengths-based Approach
We proudly embrace neurodiversity-affirming practices. That means:
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- Respecting each child’s unique way of thinking, feeling, and communicating
- Creating a low-pressure, affirming environment
- Supporting sensory needs and emotional regulation
- Collaborating with families every step of the way
Whether your child is autistic, has ADHD, anxiety, or another neurodivergent profile, we meet them where they are and celebrate their strengths.
Meet Your Therapist
Sarah is passionate about helping children thrive through speech and language therapy. With over two decades of experience, she has dedicated her career to empowering children and supporting their families. Sarah graduated with a Master of Science from Miami University in Ohio in December 1996, and since then, has worked with children as young as 12 months through to young adults, addressing a wide range of speech and language disorders.
She has extensive experience in both private practice settings as well as public and private schools, which allows her to tailor her approach to meet the unique needs of each child. Sarah strongly believes that therapy should be both effective and enjoyable. She brings play and fun into every session, creating a positive and encouraging environment where kids can grow.
Her goal is to ensure that every child feels supported, confident, and able to reach their full potential. Sarah also values working closely with families to help them support their child’s progress outside of therapy sessions.
Sarah VanAs, MS/CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Our Services
Articulation Therapy
We help children learn to pronounce sounds correctly through fun, structured activities. Using research-based methods, your child will:
- Practice tricky sounds in words, phrases, and sentences
- Participate in games that promote clear speech
Track progress together with the therapist and family
Language Therapy
Language therapy supports your child’s ability to understand and use words to express themselves clearly. Our sessions focus on:
- Building vocabulary and grammar
- Answering and asking questions
- Sequencing and storytelling
- Following directions
Therapists use interactive methods like books, games, and conversations—always encouraging carryover at home and school.
AAC Support
(Augmentative and Alternative Communication)
When speaking is difficult, AAC gives children a voice. We introduce and support tools such as:
- Picture exchange systems
- Speech-generating devices
- Communication apps
We integrate AAC into daily play and routines, ensuring families are confident using it at home and in the community.
PROMPT Therapy
(Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets)
PROMPT is a tactile-kinesthetic approach to speech, especially helpful for children with motor planning challenges (like apraxia). Therapists gently guide the child’s jaw, lips, and tongue to support sound production.
PROMPT also considers:
- Social-emotional development
- Cognitive-linguistic abilities
- Physical-sensory integration
This holistic method is ideal for children who have difficulty coordinating the muscles of their mouth for speech.
What Our Families are Saying
Let’s Connect
If you’re ready to get started or want to learn more, we’d love to talk. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and see how Play and Say can support your child’s communication journey.
283-225-2085
3 Funding Options
Jon Peterson Scholarship
if your student is at a private school that doesn’t provide therapy or if you’re a homeschool family –
we can help you go through the steps to gain access to this funding source.
Autism Scholarship
Self-Pay
