expert type icon EXPERT

Brittni Stolp

Speech-Language Pathologist

<p>Dr. Brittni Stolp is a speech language pathologist practicing in River Falls, WI. Dr. Stolp specializes in speech, language and social communication disorders in patients. As a speech language pathologist, Dr. Stolp evaluates, diagnoses and treats patients with communication difficulties. These conditions may be due to developmental delay, brain injury, hearing loss, autism, Down syndrome, stroke or other disorders and injuries. Dr. Stolp helps patients produce speech sounds and improve their communication through various methods. Speech language pathologists also work with patient's families to educate on speech and language development and growth.</p>
12 years Experience
Brittni Stolp
  • River Falls, WI
  • University of North Dakota
  • Accepting new patients

How is autism diagnosed?

There are two main options: #1: contact your local school district for an evaluation (this is not a medical diagnosis but will be an avenue for support through the schools). And/ READ MORE
There are two main options:
#1: contact your local school district for an evaluation (this is not a medical diagnosis but will be an avenue for support through the schools).
And/ Or
#2: find a clinic in your area or surrounding areas that specialize in autism evaluations and therapies. There you will receive a medical diagnosis if there is one. You can contact your pediatrician who should have this contact information.

When should you take your child to a speech pathologist?

By 2 years old children typically have a " language explosion" were they are saying at least 200 words spontaneously. If your child is saying less than this at 4 years old your READ MORE
By 2 years old children typically have a " language explosion" were they are saying at least 200 words spontaneously. If your child is saying less than this at 4 years old your should contact your local school district or pediatrician for contact information and a referral source. Early intervention is key to long term success, the earlier you can get your son help (if needed), the better!

Can a child's speech delay be caused by adoption?

It is very hard to pin point what is causing or contributing to this delay. Has he been evaluated for speech concerns? You can connect with your pediatrician or your school district READ MORE
It is very hard to pin point what is causing or contributing to this delay. Has he been evaluated for speech concerns? You can connect with your pediatrician or your school district to find out information on who to contact for a speech evaluation. There are many things that could be contributing such as environment before adoption, birth history, prenatal history, hearing, overall development, etc. I would start by contacting your local school district.

My daughter speaks very loudly, should we visit a speech-language pathologist?

The first thing that comes to mind is hearing. When is the last time her hearing was checked? Children's hearing can change every 6 months or when there is fluid present (sick READ MORE
The first thing that comes to mind is hearing. When is the last time her hearing was checked? Children's hearing can change every 6 months or when there is fluid present (sick with a cold). An ENT can always do a hearing screening. If she is talking loudly when she is playing actively or very excited it could just be a matter of explicitly teaching different voice volumes for different settings. A voice chart could be useful, for example: 0 at the bottom for 0 no talking, 1 for a whisper, 2 for soft talking, 3 for conversational level, 4 for too loud, and 5 for yelling/ screaming. Come up with different settings or scenarios where each level is appropriate (library vs. playground).

Why do I have trouble pronouncing certain letters?

The /s/ sound is the most common sound in our English language and there are many ways it can be distorted. Typically, the /s/ sound is produced as a long, continuous sound. It READ MORE
The /s/ sound is the most common sound in our English language and there are many ways it can be distorted. Typically, the /s/ sound is produced as a long, continuous sound. It is most accurately produced by biting the back teeth together, lifting the mid tongue slightly up towards the roof of the mouth, smiling, and pushing air out the front of the mouth. This sound may get distorted if the air is coming out of the sides of the mouth (cheeks), if tongue is protruding out, or if dentition is mis- aligned (over or under bite). Some people also have difficulty producing this sound if they have a gap in their teeth or a large tongue.

Can you have trouble speaking if you can't breathe out of your nose?

It can. The same way a stuffed up nose or cold can effect speech. Some sounds such as the /n, m/ and words with a 'ng' or 'nk' in them are produced by air coming through the nasal READ MORE
It can. The same way a stuffed up nose or cold can effect speech. Some sounds such as the /n, m/ and words with a 'ng' or 'nk' in them are produced by air coming through the nasal passage; if this is blocked in any way it could be difficult to say words with these sounds.

At what age can you tell a child has a speech delay?

Typically, by one year old a child should begin using several words spontaneously (usually nouns). He or she should also be able to imitate familiar words said by family members. READ MORE
Typically, by one year old a child should begin using several words spontaneously (usually nouns). He or she should also be able to imitate familiar words said by family members. At two years old we call this the language explosion stage because children should begin connecting two words and have an explosion of language using around 200 different words in their vocabulary. I would say if you are concerned, reach out to your local school district or community center for who to contact about questions, concerns, and an evaluation. With this said, all children develop at different rates.

How does an adult correct a lisp?

If your tongue is protruding out the front of your mouth that is typically what people think of an a lisp. People can also demonstrate a lateral lisp; which is when air is coming READ MORE
If your tongue is protruding out the front of your mouth that is typically what people think of an a lisp. People can also demonstrate a lateral lisp; which is when air is coming out of the sides of the mouth (cheeks) instead of the front. Sometimes, a large tongue or dentition may be a contributing factor to a lisp. Whether or not this is a contributing factor, you can still work on placement. To improve placement: bite back teeth together, smile, lift mid tongue slightly to roof of mouth and push a steady stream of air out the font of your mouth (keep tongue behind teeth). Repetition is key to breaking the habit of the lisp. Practice in words first ( at the beginning, middle, and ends of words), then increase to short phrases, then longer sentences, and generalize into conversation. Practice in front of a mirror if need be, and be intentional with these tips when talking when possible.

What is the first step after an autism diagnosis?

Was he evaluated by an outside medial clinic? Or in the schools? Based on who did they evaluation and diagnosed him, they should be giving you recommendations for services.

How to help a child we recently adopted?

By 2 years old a child should be using at around 200 words, understanding simple questions and commands, identifying body parts, and starting to connect two words. If they are READ MORE
By 2 years old a child should be using at around 200 words, understanding simple questions and commands, identifying body parts, and starting to connect two words. If they are having difficulty with multiple of these skills you could contact your local school district or pediatrician for contact information or a referral source. That being said, some children who are newly adopted may regress slightly until they are familiar with there new "norm". Another question I would have is if there were concerns prior to the adoption?

My daughter shows symptoms of autism?

Early intervention is so important and I am a huge advocate for getting help the earlier the better for long term success (if needed). If concerned, definitely reach out to your READ MORE
Early intervention is so important and I am a huge advocate for getting help the earlier the better for long term success (if needed). If concerned, definitely reach out to your local school district or pediatrician for contact information and a referral source for more information/ an evaluation.

How do you know your child has a speech disorder?

By 5 years old most children can follow multi step directions, use appropriate grammar (ing, ed, pronouns, plural 's', etc), understand simple commands, produce sounds: /p, m, READ MORE
By 5 years old most children can follow multi step directions, use appropriate grammar (ing, ed, pronouns, plural 's', etc), understand simple commands, produce sounds: /p, m, h, b, w, y, n, d, k, g, t, f, j/, use hundreds of words for vocabulary, answer 'wh' questions (who, what, when, where), understand basic concepts (in, on, under, etc), sequence events, and play cooperatively with others. If you have concerns with several of the following skills you could contact your local school district or pediatrician about questions and an evaluation.

What causes a child to have a speech impediment?

It is very difficult to say what causes a speech impediment. It could be several things such as: dentition, a motor planning difficulty, "bad habits" (for some reason learned to READ MORE
It is very difficult to say what causes a speech impediment. It could be several things such as: dentition, a motor planning difficulty, "bad habits" (for some reason learned to say a sound the wrong way), overall development, etc. Many children experience a period of time when they can not say 1 or more sounds in their development. Acquisition of speech sounds begins at 3 and goes all the way to 9 years of age.

What are the treatment options for dyslexia?

Many time speech therapists refer to a reading specialist for support with this; especially in the schools.

Does hearing loss affect your speech?

This is very possible. All of what we say naturally goes through a biofeedback system in our ears and then up to our brain which tells us if what we said made sense, sounded, right, READ MORE
This is very possible. All of what we say naturally goes through a biofeedback system in our ears and then up to our brain which tells us if what we said made sense, sounded, right, etc. (to put it simply). If our hearing is effected by a cold, or we are underwater, or if we experience hearing loss this effects that system. Think about if you have noise canceling headphones on and you attempt to talk with someone; it is very difficult because you are not receiving that feedback. If this is happening over an extend period of time people can start to demonstrate "bad habits" that are not corrected or practiced because they can not hear the mistakes.

Can adults benefit from speech therapy?

Yes! Anyone can benefit from speech therapy at any time in their life. Because you have had many years of saying a sound or word the "wrong" way, it may take you longer to break READ MORE
Yes! Anyone can benefit from speech therapy at any time in their life. Because you have had many years of saying a sound or word the "wrong" way, it may take you longer to break that habit and more practice. The good news is, now that you are an adult you are able to monitor your own speech, practice diligently, and intentionally focus on "retraining" yourself.

What are some common language problems for children?

By 6 children can typically produce the /p, b, d, m, h, w, n, y, k, g, t, f, j, ch, sh, v, l/ sounds. If she has difficulty with several of these sounds you sound contact your READ MORE
By 6 children can typically produce the /p, b, d, m, h, w, n, y, k, g, t, f, j, ch, sh, v, l/ sounds. If she has difficulty with several of these sounds you sound contact your local school district, private speech clinics, or pediatrician for information and an evaluation.

What is the difference between a speech therapist and a speech pathologist?

Where I practice in the midwest those terms are used interchangeably to mean the same thing (same licensure, degrees, etc.). If this is different in your area, I would ask your READ MORE
Where I practice in the midwest those terms are used interchangeably to mean the same thing (same licensure, degrees, etc.). If this is different in your area, I would ask your speech therapist for clarification.

Can a speech pathologist help me with slurred words?

They could if you can find one in your area open to targeting this with you. Another suggestion may be to seek out help from a public speaking professional/ teacher.

Should I be worried about my speech impairment?

It may be difficult for you to find a speech therapist that will take you on a client for this issue. I would intentionally practice this on your own. You could try recording yourself READ MORE
It may be difficult for you to find a speech therapist that will take you on a client for this issue. I would intentionally practice this on your own. You could try recording yourself and listen back to see if you are making improvements. Ultimately, it will take practice and over time slower/ more clear speech will become a habit.