Speech-Language Pathology for Teens
Speech Therapy • Speech Pathologist • Autism • Language Disorder • Social Communication
Margaret H. Briggs, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Board Recognized Specialist in Child Language
Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Santa Barbara, CA
I have decades of experience successfully helping teenagers on the Autism spectrum develop their social communication skills. I also specialize in children who stutter, helping them to develop fluent speech and feel proud of themselves as capable communicators. In addition, I work with children and young adults who struggle with expressing their thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively. Although I am a CA licensed and ASHA certified speech-language pathologist, I consider myself a Communication Coach.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
I delight in helping teens and young adults on the Autism spectrum with social communication challenges - I tell them I’m their “social coach.” I support the development of friendships, work and school relationships, and the world of dating. Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking work and the UCLA PEERS programs have influenced my practice. My clients improve in their ability to think about others in a wide variety of social situations and find themselves mastering the confusing world of “being social.” One specific aspect that I particularly enjoy guiding my clients through is reading, accurately interpreting, and appropriately responding to non-verbal social cues (e.g., body language, tone of voice, facial expressions). I have a library of short animated videos that are especially useful for analyzing and practicing. Going out in the community to practice with my certified therapy dog Dante - he’s a people magnet - helps abstract concepts become real.
Stuttering Therapy
My philosophy for treating stuttering is multi-dimensional and organic, focusing on both the overt speech behaviors and the covert, underlying thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and reactions. I use the analogy of an iceberg—what we see above the water line is very small in comparison to what lurks below.
I use a family-based approach, where all family members are part of the planning and treatment process. My first step is always to build a trusting, mutually respectful relationship with my clients who stutter. My goal is to create a safe place for them to explore the emotional component of stuttering while also adopting strategies to enhance their fluency. My clients typically develop insight into their attitudes about stuttering, increase their confidence about speaking, and produce noticeably more fluent speech, with significantly less excess tension.
Speech-Language Pathologist
I support children who may have had delayed language development when they were younger. Now they are meeting all typical developmental markers and usually score within normal limits on most standardized test of expressive language skills. However, their parents report that they are struggling to easily, effortlessly and successfully express their thoughts, ideas, wishes, and feelings. We refer to these challenges as formulation difficulties. By providing structures and graduated practice, children find communication easy and enjoyable rather than frustrating and discouraging.
“Margaret is much more than a speech therapist - she is a miracle worker.”
--Jessica B.
“We think you're a Rock Star.”
--The Watson Family
“Dr. Briggs had such a huge impact on my son and his education that she is one of the main reasons he was able to graduate from high school on time.”
--Christopher S
If you are looking for services for your 1 to 8-year-old child in the Pasadena area, please contact my former business partner by email: Catherine M. Villagran, MA or phone:
(626) 793-0937
Contact
I look forward to answering your questions, listening to your story, and helping you and your child communicate more easily and successfully.
Email
margaret@briggsandassociates.com
Phone
(805) 869-2776
