Speech Therapy in Chicago
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Author:
Sarra Ghezali, M.A., Applied Behavior Analysis, President & Senior Consultant
Clinical Reviewer:
Jenia F. Johnson, M.S., BCBA, LBA
Our Program
Helping Every Child Find Their Voice
At Caper ABA Services, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to communicate, connect, and be understood. For many children with autism, speech and language development can be challenging, but with the right support, progress is not only possible, it is transformational.
As part of our speech therapy in Chicago, our Speech Therapy Program for Autism is designed to help children build communication skills in ways that are meaningful, functional, and deeply personalized. Whether your child is learning their first words, working on articulation, or developing conversational and social communication abilities, our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) meet them exactly where they are.
Through compassionate care, evidence-based methods, and close collaboration with our ABA team, we help children discover their voices and empower families to support communication at every stage.
Our goal is not just to help children “talk” — but to help them communicate meaningfully, whether through words, gestures, technology, or other methods. Every child deserves a voice, and our therapists are dedicated to helping them find and strengthen it.
How Speech Therapy Helps Children with Autism
Communication is more than just talking. It is how we connect, express needs, build relationships, and explore the world. As part of our speech therapy services in Chicago, we support children who may experience challenges in one or more areas of communication. These might include:
- Delayed speech or language development
- Difficulty with expressive or receptive language (understanding others or expressing themselves)
- Challenges with social communication, such as taking turns, maintaining eye contact, or understanding nonverbal cues
- Echolalia (repeating words or phrases without functional meaning)
- Limited use of gestures, facial expressions, or tone
- Articulation and pronunciation difficulties
- Struggles with pragmatic language, such as understanding humor, sarcasm, or figurative speech
At Caper ABA, our speech therapists use individualized, evidence-based techniques tailored to your child’s learning style. Some of the methods we incorporate include:
- Play-based therapy that encourages communication through fun, motivating activities
- Naturalistic teaching that embeds language learning into daily routines and play
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), including picture exchange systems (PECS), communication boards, and speech-generating devices when appropriate
- Modeling and prompting strategies to build understanding and expression
- Parent coaching and collaboration to reinforce skills outside of therapy sessions
Why Choose This Therapy
The Benefits of Speech Therapy at Caper ABA Services in Chicago
One of the most powerful benefits of choosing Caper ABA is the integration of speech therapy and ABA therapy. Our Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) work side-by-side with Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) to ensure that communication goals are embedded into all areas of your child’s therapy plan.
This collaboration ensures consistency — the same communication strategies taught during speech sessions are practiced during ABA sessions, home routines, and social activities. For example:
- If a speech therapist teaches your child to request a toy using words or a communication device, ABA therapists can reinforce that skill throughout the day.
- If your child is learning social greetings, both teams will coordinate to model and reward those behaviors in multiple settings.
This team-based approach accelerates progress, strengthens generalization, and creates a seamless experience for your child.
Every child communicates differently — and every family’s goals are unique. At Caper ABA, we begin with a comprehensive assessment of your child’s current communication skills, strengths, and challenges.
From there, our speech therapists design a personalized treatment plan aligned with your child’s developmental level and family priorities. Parents are integral to this process — we include families in goal-setting, progress reviews, and ongoing training so that communication skills are reinforced naturally at home.
We also recognize that families come from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Caper ABA offers culturally sensitive and bilingual support, including Arabic-language services and flexibility for families who prefer therapy that aligns with their cultural norms and routines. Communication is universal — and so is our commitment to inclusivity.
While traditional speech therapy often emphasizes vocabulary and articulation, Caper ABA’s speech therapy program focuses on real-life communication — helping children express needs, build relationships, and navigate the world.
We teach practical skills such as:
- Requesting items or help
- Making choices
- Greeting others and engaging in small talk
- Asking and answering questions
- Describing experiences and emotions
- Following directions and understanding others
We meet children where they are — whether they’re beginning to use gestures, single words, full sentences, or communication devices. Every milestone matters, and every step forward is celebrated.
Speech therapy at Caper ABA is available in multiple settings:
- In-Center Speech Therapy: Conducted in a structured environment designed for learning, socialization, and collaboration with our ABA team.
- In-Home Speech Therapy: For children who thrive best in familiar settings, therapy can take place at home, incorporating family routines into language learning.
- Hybrid Programs: Many families choose a combination of both — maximizing flexibility and generalization across environments.
This flexibility allows therapy to fit naturally into your child’s daily life and ensures that skills learned in therapy transfer to real-world settings.
Our Approach
How Speech Therapy and ABA Work Together
Speech therapy and ABA therapy share a common foundation: both are evidence-based, goal-driven, and focused on skill building. When combined, they create a comprehensive framework for communication development.
- ABA Therapy helps shape and reinforce desired behaviors — such as making eye contact, attending to tasks, or initiating requests.
- Speech Therapy builds the linguistic and cognitive foundations for communication — including vocabulary, sentence structure, articulation, and social language.
Together, these therapies complement each other beautifully: ABA helps children learn how to communicate, and speech therapy helps them learn what to communicate and why. At Caper ABA Services, we’ve seen remarkable progress when both disciplines work hand-in-hand. Our therapists collaborate daily, ensuring consistent reinforcement and a unified approach to your child’s goals.
What We Offer
Why Parents Trust Caper ABA Services
Choosing a therapy provider for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Parents across Chicago and beyond choose Caper ABA Services because we combine professional excellence with genuine compassion and cultural sensitivity. Here’s why families place their trust in us:
Integrated, Whole-Child Approach
We look at the big picture — your child’s communication, behavior, sensory needs, emotional growth, and family relationships. Speech therapy isn’t isolated; it’s part of a larger, interconnected system of care that promotes progress in every domain of life.
Accessibility and Financial Support
We believe high-quality care should be accessible to every family. That’s why Caper ABA offers financial assistance, grants, and Medicaid navigation support. Our administrative team helps families understand insurance coverage and financial options so that cost is never a barrier to care.
Cultural and Linguistic Inclusion
Our services reflect the diversity of Chicago’s communities. We provide Arabic-language support, culturally informed therapy practices, and accommodations for families who wish to maintain consistency with their cultural and religious routines, including mosque visits when relevant. We celebrate every child’s identity and make every family feel seen, respected, and included.
Highly Qualified, Compassionate Team
Our team of Speech-Language Pathologists, BCBAs, RBTs, and therapists are not only highly trained but also deeply dedicated to helping children and families thrive. We continuously stay informed on the latest research and best practices in autism care, ensuring that your child receives the highest standard of therapy.
Proven Results and Family Partnership
We measure success not just in words spoken, but in connections made — between parent and child, between siblings, between friends. Our families often share stories of children who begin to express themselves for the first time, communicate emotions, or confidently join conversations.
We involve parents every step of the way, providing tools, coaching, and encouragement so that progress continues long after each session ends.
Testimonials
What Our Families & Clients Say
Tremendous Growth
“My child has been attending therapy at Caper ABA for a while now, and I have seen tremendous growth and progress. The therapists are skilled and patient, and they truly care about the children.”
Well‑structured & Engaging
“The therapy sessions are well‑structured and engaging. Caper ABA Therapy provides a positive and inclusive environment for learning. I am grateful for the impact this place has made on my child’s development.”
Wonderful Experience
“I had a wonderful experience with Caper. The staff is very supportive and understanding. My child showed great progress. Highly recommend!”
Progress my Child Has Made
“I’m really impressed with the progress my child has made at Caper ABA Therapy. The therapists are caring and attentive. They provide a positive and supportive environment for learning.”
Wide Range of Services
“Caper ABA Therapy offers a wide range of services and programs to meet my child’s individual needs. I’m grateful for their dedication and professionalism. Send your child here!”
Above and Beyond
“I can’t express enough how grateful I am for Caper ABA. The therapists go above and beyond to help children with autism reach their full potential. They create a nurturing and inclusive environment.”
Get Started
Giving Every Child a Voice
At Caper ABA Services, we believe that communication is the foundation of connection — and every child deserves to be heard. Our speech therapy program for autism is built on compassion, science, and hope.
Whether your child is taking their first steps toward communication or expanding their expressive abilities, our team is here to guide and celebrate each milestone.
Together, we can help your child find their voice, build confidence, and connect with the world around them.
Caper ABA Services — Empowering communication. Celebrating every word. Supporting every family.