JD Kids Speech Therapy

Partnering with parents to provide specialized speech and language therapy.

 

We are here to help you.

JD Kids Speech Therapy is a boutique private practice assessing and treating a variety of speech and language disorders, specializing in Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), myofunctional therapy, articulation, and phonology. Other areas of growing interest for Jenn include executive function and natural language acquisition.

We believe speech therapy can be fun and hands-on with parents - call us to talk through your options.

Jennifer Dyer, MS, CCC-SLP

Jennifer Dyer, MS, CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist who earned a BA in Speech-Hearing Science from the University of North Texas in 1997 and an MS in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1999. She has worked in the public-school setting in PPCD classrooms (Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities) and with elementary-aged children with various articulation, phonology, and expressive/receptive language needs. She has also worked in private practice with children diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and articulation and phonology disorders. She has also treated myofunctional challenges, various executive function skills, and children needing a natural language acquisition approach. Jennifer has also been professionally and personally mentored by Kay J. Giesecke, MS, CCC-SLP, founder of Apraxia Dallas and Apraxia Austin.

Jenn started JD Kids Speech Therapy in 2015 and worked as an SLP with Apraxia Dallas from 2019-2024. In addition, she also volunteered as an SLP at Apraxia Austin’s Ranch Camp in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Her involvement at Ranch Camp included treatment of children diagnosed with CAS as well as training graduate students. She has attended various trainings focused on CAS including: “Clinical Thinking in the Diagnosis and Management of CAS” by Dr. Edythe Strand, Ph.D.; “Diagnosis and Management of CAS: Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing” an advanced course taught by Dr. Ruth Stoeckle, Ph.D.; “Treatment of Pediatric Motor Speech Disorders” by Dr. Edythe Strand, Ph.D.; “Promoting Language and Development and Social Communication in Children with CAS” by Margaret Fish, MS, CCC-SLP; “Incorporating Motor Planning Treatment Features into Therapy for CAS” by Kay Giesecke, MS, CCC-SLP.“ Jennifer is PROMPT trained and certified in the Simon Says Oral-Motor Therapy programs. She has training in implementing ReST (Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment) and Speech-Motor Chaining as well as training in aspects of Natural Language Acquisition (NLA), executive function skills, implementing and incorporating literacy, sensory needs, and AAC programs into therapy (including Lamp Words for Life [LAMP]).

In addition, Jennifer and her husband are parents to a child diagnosed with a severe autism spectrum disorder, OCD, an intellectual disability, a severe expressive and receptive language disorder, and CAS. Their daughter uses an AAC system to communicate. She enjoys empowering parents to work with their children and to navigate through the many issues they might face with having children with communication challenges. She is also a writer and loves bringing her writing experience into therapy when possible. Above all, she feels helping children find their voice is the best part of her job.

Our Services

 

Evaluations

We offer individualized evaluations of your child’s speech and language skills tailored to your child’s specific communication needs. Following the evaluation, you will receive a summary report of our findings and recommendations. We may also refer you to other experts if we feel that best serves you and your child’s needs.

Therapy Sessions

We offer both in-person and teletherapy options.

Our treatment not only includes utilizing many different therapy programs (including but not limited to: Speech-Motor Chaining, DTTC [Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing], ReST [Rapid Syllable Transition Training], Natural Language Acquisition, Simon Says Myofunctional Therapy, and PROMPT), but also multiple cueing techniques such as touch cueing, visual and verbal cueing, use of simultaneous speaking when first learning difficult tasks, along with other proven apraxia techniques such as forward and backward chaining, a slower rate, multiple repetitions of target behaviors, self-monitoring techniques, executive function skills, prosody remediation, a focus on coarticulation, and addressing other aspects of disordered communication.

We also use unique strategies to integrate these features into therapy and to make therapy fun! Parents and/or caregivers are an integral part of the process and are included in every session to deliver the most effective and efficient treatment. (Please note: a parent or caregiver is required to remain on site during every session.)

  • “Jennifer worked with both of my sons for several years, especially in the areas of articulation and social skills. My younger son had Childhood Apraxia of Speech and needed intense therapy. Jennifer took time to learn my son’s interests, even going the extra mile to practice social skills at our local Krispy Kreme doughnut shop. Therapy was fun, which kept my boys motivated to practice. We would highly recommend her as a therapist.”

    - Dena

  • “My daughter enjoyed the interactive games and activities. I never had any problems getting my daughter to go. She always had fun and I’ve been very pleased with her progress. Jennifer Dyer is a very creative, patient and positive teacher. I would highly recommend her.”

    - Cathy

  • “Jennifer made a trusting and productive connection with my son. Allen is 12 and has Childhood Apraxia of speech – a difficult and long treatment speech condition. He’s “tired of therapy” – which I thought would be challenging for a new therapist. Jennifer listened with patience and empathy and got Allen to work. She found innovative techniques to try when everything else was hitting a wall. I can’t recommend her services enough.”

    - Bettina