Barbara McKague, PLLC
Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Welcome!
Barbara McKague, PLLC, is a family-centered private speech therapy practice serving families throughout the greater Seattle area. We take a collaborative approach to therapy, partnering with parents and other important professionals (teachers, caregivers, other therapists, etc.) to provide individualized therapy that leads to lifelong success.
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Services
We provide evaluation and therapy services for children experiencing challenges with their communication and play skills.
Speech
We work with children experiencing delays in their communication skills, including articulation, phonological disorders, and childhood apraxia of speech. Using a combination of play-based activities, structured therapy, and parent coaching, we help children:
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Speak more clearly
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Use the correct sounds in words
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Develop accurate speech motor plans
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Be understood by others
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Gain confidence in their speech
The techniques used in therapy will vary based on the nature of the speech sound disorder. Common frameworks and approaches include PROMPT, DTTC, cycles approach for phonological disorders, and the articulation hierarchy.
Language
Childhood language skills are targeted through play and narrative language therapy. This is a functional approach that helps children improve their story-telling, grammar, comprehension, and inferencing skills. Language therapy can help your child:
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Relay information about what they think, feel and know
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Engage in creative and imaginative stories or dialogues
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Sequence and understand elements of a story
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Consider the listener’s perspective, and predict what will happen next
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Understand complex sentences, vocabulary, and grammar
Narratives are not just an essential skill for later academic success; they are also fun! We tell stories, put on shows using props, and even videotape our productions during sessions.
Early Intervention
We provide direct therapy for young children experiencing delays in their communication, play, and/or social skills. Early intervention sessions are always centered on play and parent participation. Using evidence-based strategies, caregivers learn new ways to interact with their child to promote:
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Imitation skills
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Use of gestures and early sounds
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Use of first words, or more words
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Communication through sign language
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Imaginative play
As a child interacts with caregivers in the context of play and daily routines, their learning opportunities increase and new communication skills emerge!
Meet Barbara
Barbara McKague, M.A., CCC-SLP
Barbara is a speech-language pathologist with over 30 years of experience in working with children of all ages. Today she operates her own private practice, Barbara McKague, PLLC, to provide high-quality, collaborative, and flexible therapy to families in the Greater Seattle area.
Barbara earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences at Ithaca College and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at George Washington University. To stay up-to-date with best practices, she has completed PROMPT level one training, Hanen training, and participates in ongoing education courses in parent coaching, apraxia, language disorders, and narrative language intervention.
Barbara's approach to therapy is to develop an understanding of the whole child in order to understand how their challenges are impacting their daily lives. She spends time getting to know each child's interests and strengths and partners with parents to deliver therapy aligned with each family's values and goals.
Barbara has created a safe and unique space for learning, full of games, toys, and books. She has something for everyone! Her goal is to make therapy fun because fun gives rise to engagement, which ultimately results in learning.
Apart from her professional interests, Barabara enjoys getting outside for walks and hikes. She is an avid gardener, reader, and knitter. She also loves spending time with her husband and their adult sons.
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Getting Started
Call Barbara at (206) 261-3409 to discuss your concerns and determine the next best step for your child.
Step One
Provide records for review or participate in an evaluation session to inform speech-language therapy goals.
Step Two
Attend and engage in the therapy process to foster growth and carryover of new communication skills.
Step Three
What Clients Say
Contact
PHONE:
CLINIC:
5413 Meridian Avenue N,
Suite A
Seattle, WA 98103
Barbara McKague's pediatric speech therapy clinic is located in the Meridian Theater Building in the Tangletown neighborhood of Green Lake, conveniently located off of I-5 and Highway 99.
Click here to learn about options for in-home and online therapy.