For Learners
Speech Therapy
Speech Therapy that Helps People Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Our speech-language pathologists help children, teens, and adults overcome speech disorders, language and communication challenges, and trouble swallowing, so they can share their voices, thoughts, and feelings with the world. For people who come to us with issues such as stuttering, articulation difficulties, speech delays, complex communication disabilities (non-verbal), and aphasia, we identify areas for growth, develop personalized treatment plans, and provide expert speech therapy and support.
In addition to our in-person and virtual sessions in Vermont, our speech therapists are licensed to provide services online in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.
Speech Therapy for Children and Adults
Using proven therapeutic approaches in one-on-one sessions, our speech therapists help people with all types of communication challenges. At the Stern Center, we are neurodiversity-affirming in our orientation and create deeply individualized intervention programs based on the interests and desires of each learner.
Caring and Effective Speech-Language Pathologists
Our compassionate and highly trained speech-language pathologists have years of experience working with children and adults on all aspects of speech, language, communication, and social cognition. Our specialists have expertise with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) as well as treating and supporting people with medical and behavioral diagnoses, including autism, ADHD, developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other genetic conditions, selective mutism, stroke, and traumatic brain injury.
Expert AAC Services
Our specialized AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Services are here to help individuals of all ages communicate—no matter the challenges.
We address all AAC needs, providing personalized support to determine:
✅ Right AAC device – from low-tech solutions to high-tech dynamic systems
✅ Relevant technology – for cognitive, motor, and sensory abilities
✅ Most effective software – tailored to each individual’s language, learning, and communication style
Our experienced speech-language pathologists guide you through the entire process—from assessment and device trials to implementation and ongoing training. Whether you’re new to AAC or seeking to optimize your current setup, we ensure the tools match the person, not the other way around.
What We Offer:
- Individualized AAC planning
- Device trials and feature matching
- Software selection and customization
- Hands-on instruction and training for users, families, and teams
- Support for school, home, and community communication goals
Let us help you find the best voice—for life.
GETTING STARTED
Types of Speech Therapy
Our team develops customized programs that serve clients’ unique strengths and challenges and help them find success.
Language Disorders
People with a language disorder struggle with some or all aspects of language formulation and understanding: sentence structure, vocabulary development, social use of language, word parts, and word sounds. Our clinicians create and provide individualized, evidence-based interventions to improve language functioning and communication.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
People with complex or severe speech and language difficulties may require more support through assistive devices to communicate. Our clinicians help children and adults build AAC tools and technology into a full communication repertoire, including speech or vocalizations, gestures, manual signs, and device-aided communication.
Speech Articulation Support
People with speech-sound disorders and motor-planning impairments (difficulty with speech articulation) have difficulty forming and sequencing speech sounds, which affects intelligibility and overall communication. Our clinicians provide specialized, individualized intervention that considers each learner’s specific needs and preferences.
Dysphagia (swallowing disorder)
For children, dysphagia treatment focuses on oral-motor and feeding challenges; for adults, treatment focuses on remediating acquired and neurological issues impacting a person’s ability to meet their nutritional needs.
Stuttering
People with a fluency disorder have difficulty maintaining fluency and flow of speech. Our clinicians have experience working with children and young people who stutter.
Voice Disorders
People with voice disorders have difficulty using and maintaining their voice during speech and singing. Our team members have experience working on voice disorders in children and adults.
Social Cognition
Our clinicians have deep expertise in improving social cognition (self-regulation, social communication, and perspective taking) in children, adolescents/teenagers, and adults. Learn more about our social cognition services.
The Stern Center Difference
Highly Trained Teachers
Our dedicated and caring teachers are skilled specialists with advanced credentials and years of extensive training.
Proven
Approaches
We use evidence-based approaches that give students the support and encouragement they need.
Powerful
Outcomes
Since 1983, the Stern Center has been helping people reach their goals through life-changing learning.
Tailored to Your Needs
We customize our services to the person we’re supporting and provide effective teaching, coaching, and practice.
What Learners Have to Say
Meet Our Team
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up a payment plan?
We’ll provide you with a contract and invoice which can be paid in full by our deadline or managed through a payment plan that spreads the cost of services over several months.
Are there other sources of financial assistance?
There are other sources that may assist with the financing of Stern Center Services. These include your school or school district, employer, Hireability Vermont, VSAC, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, health insurance provider, and others. Please note, we are not an insurance provider and do not bill insurance.
Do you accept insurance?
The Stern Center is not an insurance provider and cannot provide information explicitly for the purpose of insurance billing.
How do I apply for financial assistance?
Contact us to register for services and let us know you are interested in applying for financial assistance. We’ll ask you to complete a short application, which our team will review to determine the amount of financial assistance we can offer. After reviewing your application, we’ll notify you of our decision within a few days and apply your award directly as a need-based assistance discount.
Do you offer services during the summer?
Yes, we offer social-emotional learning opportunities for children and teens, including social learning summer sessions, Camp Compass for ages 6–12, and the Teambuilding Institute for Teens. Please visit our Social Learning Summer Programs section for more information.
Does the instructor collaborate with school or college personnel?
The success of our students is essential to us, and to better understand your needs, collaborating with other professionals is often helpful. The instruction team will collaborate with a student’s school teacher(s) with a parent’s/guardian’s permission.
How do I register for Social Learning and Communication Services?
Please contact our Social Learning and Communication department by emailing social@sterncenter.org, calling 802-276-8563, or by completing the contact form. It is important for us to learn more about you and what your needs are before we begin.
When can I begin Social Learning services?
Social Thinking® Groups and Speech and Language Therapy services are offered year-round, and you can begin anytime. In addition, during the summer months, we offer unique opportunities for children and teens and invite you to visit our Summer Learning Opportunities section for more information.
Do you offer individualized speech therapy and Social Thinking® groups off-site?
Yes, we can tailor our services to meet clients’ needs.
Does the Stern Center offer financial assistance?
Yes. Through the generosity of individuals, organizations, and foundations, we can award need-based funds and provide additional assistance. Awards are based on income and the number of people in your family. Depending on family eligibility, costs may be reduced by 20–70%. Please review our Financial Assistance page and let us know if you want to apply for financial assistance when you register for services.
Do I (or my child) need an evaluation to start speech therapy?
You don’t need an evaluation to start speech and language services. Our team will examine your strengths and challenges and tailor treatment to meet your needs. To learn more about evaluations and testing at the Stern Center, visit our Evaluations page, email evaluation@sterncenter.org, or call 802-276-8681.
Keep Learning
Academic Calendar
View the Stern Center’s academic calendar. See openings and closings at a glance, including holidays and make-up days.
Summer Learning
Supercharge your child’s learning this summer. Get expert help with reading, writing, math, and more.
News and Resources
Keep learning and stay in the know with news and resources from our Stern Center experts.
Get in Touch!
For questions about social learning, Social Thinking® groups, speech therapy, and summer social learning programs, email social@sterncenter.org, call 802-276-8681, or fill out the form below. You can also register for services here.
