Who We Serve
We know you've been told what your child can't do. We start with what they can.
If you’ve sat through evaluations that measured your child by what’s missing, take a breath. At The Talk School we begin in a different place: we presume competence in every learner. We serve children whose speech and language differences are significant — children whose thinking is often far ahead of their ability to show it. This page is here to help you feel out whether Talk is the right place for your child.
Support for Nonspeaking and AAC Students
Here for children whose thinking runs ahead of their words.
Children thrive here when their primary need is speech and language, they can begin to recognize letters and symbols, and they’re ready to learn in a small group with individual support. If that sounds like your child, you’re in the right place.
The Talk School is a full-day, full-time private school in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania for with significant speech and language disorders — including children who are nonspeaking, use AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), or have unreliable or emerging spoken language.
There's no such thing as a typical Talk student.
Some children arrive with no spoken words. Some have a few. Some speak in ways the world hasn’t yet learned to hear. What they share is a mind full of things to say. Here are a few of the children who have found their footing with us:
Owen
Owen
Age 15
Gaining greater independence
Owen's favorite part of the week is going out in the community with his teachers and speech therapist. He's learned how to put together a grocery list, find what he needs in the store, and count money. With support, he is able to ask and answer questions about the items on his list. The best part? He gets to use the food he bought to make a special snack with his friends.
Marcus
Marcus
Age 7
Came to The Talk School two years ago at age 7 with few words and was afraid to go to school. Now he's made friends and uses his AAC device to connect.
Marcus loves coming to school where he's made his first friendships. He likes to tell jokes and stories with his friends using their AAC devices. He is beginning to increase his expressive language skills, and is all smiles when he starts his day with the support of his 1:1 aide who helps get him out of his bus each morning. Marcus' favorite time of day is his one-on-one occupational therapy session where he's working on writing his name.
Anna
Anna
Age 6
Looks forward to music therapy on Fridays.
Since starting at The Talk School last year, Anna's confidence is blooming. She's progressing through her Association Method sound book, learning how to imitate, produce, write and recall new sounds. On Fridays, she gets to enjoy music therapy with her classmates, and uses her new sounds to sing along and dance.
How to know if Talk is the one.
Because our approach is intensive and our classrooms are small, Talk is the right home for some children and a different setting is the better fit for others. A child tends to thrive here when a few things are true.
Their primary need is speech and language
Everything we do is built around communication. Children do best here when speech and language is the central need — rather than a primary medical, behavioral, or developmental need that a different specialized setting is better equipped to meet. If communication is the mountain your family is climbing, this is our terrain.
They’re beginning to connect letters, sounds, and symbols
Our core curriculum, the Association Method (a structured, multisensory language approach) alongside SPIRE (structured, Science-of-Reading literacy), is built on symbols and print. Children thrive when they already have some early foundation in recognizing letters or symbols, or are clearly ready to begin building one.
They’re ready to learn in a small group with support
Our classrooms are capped at eight students. Children do best when they can take part in a small group with plenty of one-on-one help, and can stay safe and regulated enough to engage. Children who need full-time one-to-one containment or intensive behavioral programming to participate are usually better served in a setting designed for that first.
Unsure if The Talk School is the right fit for your family?
The Talk Family Partnership
One thing is true of every Talk family: we’re all in this together.
From the very first day, you’re part of the team.
Learn More About How Your Family Fits Into ours
If you're not certain, that's okay
Outpatient Therapy
Our team offers speech and occupational therapy for preschool and school-age children with milder needs — no full-day enrollment required. It can be the right first step, or the right fit on its own.
Why The Talk School
Wondering what a school day actually feels like? Walk through the rhythm of therapy, learning, and joy, hour by hour.
Portrait of a Graduate
Our work extends beyond the school years; we are building a foundation for a lifetime of autonomy. Step into the joy and success of a post-Talk student.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about who we serve
What kinds of children does The Talk School serve?
The Talk School serves children with significant speech and language disorders such as childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), and children who are nonspeaking, use AAC, or have emerging spoken language. It is a full-day, full-time private school in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania — the only speech-and-language school of its kind in the state.
How do I know if my child is a good fit?
A child is typically a strong fit when their primary need is speech and language, they can begin to recognize letters and symbols (our curriculum is literacy-based), and they’re ready to learn in a small group with individual support. The surest way to know is to tour the school and talk with our admissions team.
Do you serve nonspeaking children and AAC users?
Yes. Many of our students are nonspeaking or communicate using AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). We presume competence in every learner and build an individualized plan around each child’s own way of communicating.
What ages do you serve?
We serve students from ages 3 to 21, from preschool through the transition years, on an 11-month school year designed to limit summer skill regression.
My child has milder needs, is there another option?
Yes. Families who need part-time support rather than a full-day school can work with our Outpatient Therapy team, which offers speech and occupational therapy for preschool and school-age children with mild to moderate needs.
