Specializing in Early Language Development & Autism Spectrum Disorder
Welcome to PNW Pediatric Therapy
At PNW Pediatric Therapy, we specialize in providing evaluations and intervention services for young children experiencing or at risk for early language delays and autism spectrum disorders. Through family-centered and evidence-based care, we work with families to build their capacity to provide language and social development opportunities throughout their daily routines.
​
Owner and speech-language pathologist Dr. Laurie Thompson is also a certified trainer for the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) and provides trainings, webinars, and professional development sessions across the country.
Assessment
Language ~ Developmental Delays ~ Social Communication ~ ASD
At PNW Pediatric Therapy, our approach to intervention begins by developing an individualized assessment plan. The plan is based on individual family concerns and evidence-based practice to make sure the evaluation process informs meaningful and functional goals to guide treatment planning.
Dr. Laurie Thompson has advanced diagnostic training and expertise with differential diagnosis of language delays, developmental delays, and autism spectrum disorder in young children and provides the following types of assessments:
Comprehensive Speech & Langauge Evaluations
A speech and language evaluation will be developed to assess how your child communicates, learns, uses and understands language, and how they say sounds and words.
Developmental Assessments
A developmental assessment will be planned to evaluate various aspects of your child’s development and can include measures of cognitive ability, communication, adaptive skills, and/or social, emotional, behavioral functioning.
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2)
The ADOS-2 is the gold standard for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. The ADOS-2 assesses behaviors related to ASD including communication, social interaction, and play or imaginative use of materials The ADOS-2 can be used to evaluate individuals at different developmental levels and chronological ages, from toddlers to adults.
Intervention
Language Delays & Disorders ~ Social Communication ~ ASD
As a clinical researcher, Dr. Laurie Thompson brings a unique skill set and approach to understanding and implementing evidence-based intervention. Every therapy session is based on the individual family's needs and their child's current skill-set, strengths, and challenges. Therapy includes direct interactions with the child through engaging and motivating activities as well as parent coaching and education.
Parent Coaching
Using a parent coaching model of treatment empowers families to take an active role in their child's intervention. By aligning the family priorities with current best practices that are based on the research, families learn how to support their child's development at home and within daily routines.
​
Parent coaching is incorporated into every intervention session and is also available as a separate direct service where parents can meet one-on-one with Dr. Laurie Thompson.
Professional Development
Dr. Laurie Thompson is a certified trainer for the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) including the Toddler Module. She conducts introductory clinical trainings, research trainings, and booster trainings across the country in-person and remotely. Dr. Thompson also offers professional development trainings related to assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment for pediatric language, social communication, developmental, and autism spectrum disorders.
Meet Laurie Thompson, PhD, CCC-SLP
Laurie brings over 14 years of clinical, diagnostic, and research experience to PNW Pediatric Therapy. Her research and clinical experience have demonstrated the impact early intervention can have on the outcomes for young children at-risk for or with early language, developmental delays, and autism spectrum disorder. Laurie founded her private practice as a way to increase access to specialized care for families and children through the PNW.
​
Laurie completed her graduate work at Florida State University and a postdoctoral fellowship in the Pediatric and Developmental Neuroscience Branch at the National Institutes of Health. She is currently an assistant professor at Washington State University and the director of the Early Social Communication and Language Lab.
​
As a certified trainer on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, second edition, including the toddler module, Laurie provides training to professionals across the country.
​
Laurie's approachable and genuine personality allows her to connect with the many families she supports so they know she truly cares about their children and is personally invested in their progress.
​
In her free time, Laurie can be found outdoors hiking, camping, and exploring the PNW with her husband. She also loves listening to music, her three pets (Izzy, Hank, and Humphrey), and visiting her family on the east coast.
Getting Started for Families
Services are provided in-home for clients located in the Coeur d'Alene, Spokane, and Spokane Valley areas. Dr. Laurie Thompson is licensed and available for consultations, services, and teletherapy anywhere in Idaho, Washington, and Montana.
1
Get in touch! During our initial consultation call, we will answer your questions, discuss your concerns, and provide guidance on the next steps for you and your child.
2
We will begin services with an evaluation. The evaluation process will allow us to develop an informed treatment plan with goals that align with your child's skills and your family's priorities.
3
Following the evaluation, we will meet in-person or online to begin targeting specific skills. Data will be collected on a regular basis to ensure we are making progress on goals.