Pediatric Communication Issues in Bozeman

Pediatric Communication & Social Challenges

Helping Children Develop Stronger Communication & Social Skills

Does your child struggle with expressing themselves, engaging with others, or understanding social cues? Pediatric communication and social challenges can impact a child’s ability to form relationships, succeed in school, and participate in daily activities. Early intervention is key to helping children build the skills they need to communicate confidently and navigate social interactions successfully.

At Root Pediatrics in Bozeman, we specialize in working with children who experience speech delays, language disorders, sensory processing difficulties, and social challenges. Our goal is to provide personalized therapy to help each child reach their full potential.

Signs of Pediatric Communication & Social Challenges

Every child develops at their own pace, but persistent difficulties in communication and social skills may indicate a need for therapy. Some common signs include:

  • Limited speech or difficulty forming sentences appropriate for their age
  • Trouble understanding instructions or responding to questions
  • Difficulty making eye contact or engaging in conversations
  • Struggles with social cues such as turn-taking or reading emotions
  • Repetitive speech patterns or echolalia (repeating phrases without understanding them)
  • Sensory sensitivities that make social interactions overwhelming
  • Frustration or emotional outbursts due to communication difficulties

How Our Therapy Helps

Our pediatric therapy program is designed to strengthen communication skills while improving confidence and independence. Using evidence-based techniques, we address:

Speech & Language Development

  • Expanding vocabulary and sentence structure
  • Improving speech clarity and pronunciation
  • Enhancing understanding and expression of language

Social Interaction & Engagement

  • Teaching conversation skills like turn-taking and topic maintenance
  • Improving eye contact and facial expression recognition
  • Helping children build friendships and navigate social settings

Sensory Processing & Self-Regulation

  • Supporting children who struggle with noise, touch, or social environments
  • Developing coping strategies for sensory overload in social situations
  • Enhancing attention and focus for better communication

Why Early Support Matters

Communication and social skills are essential for lifelong success. Without proper support, children with speech and social challenges may experience frustration, isolation, or academic struggles. Early therapy helps children:

  • Express themselves more clearly and confidently
  • Form stronger relationships with peers and family members
  • Build the skills needed for academic success
  • Reduce frustration and behavioral difficulties related to communication challenges

Get Support for Your Child Today

If your child is experiencing difficulties with communication or social interaction, early intervention can make a significant difference. At Root Pediatrics, our pediatric specialists provide customized therapy plans tailored to your child’s unique needs.

Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and help your child gain the skills they need to communicate and connect with confidence.

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Michael H.

Love that they have all specialties under one roof!
Pediatric OT, PT and Speech Therapy all available at the same location. Professional, experienced and joyful care specifically tailored for babies and children. Everyone here has excelled at connecting with…

Justine G.

Root Pediatrics has been wonderful! Their approach to PT for my 9 year old was amazing. Hannah listened well, really connected with my child, and made the PT fun. Anytime…

Kezia Peterson

MOTR/L

Owner, Occupational Therapist

Kezia Peterson is an Occupational Therapist and founder of Root Therapy & Wellness. As a result of multiple car accidents, resulting in chronic back and neck pain, as well as migraines and vision concerns, she understands this impact that this has on an individual’s ability to engage in daily activities, as well as work and play, and the mental challenges that can result from coping with pain on a daily basis.

Her understanding of pain has led her to pursue multiple different modalities of training, with the goal of helping her patients by meeting them where they are at, understanding their goals, and ensuring that they have the best team of providers to help them get to the root of their dysfunction in order to allow their systems to achieve healing from every level possible.

Clinical Focus Areas:

  • Upper extremity injuries
    • Hand/wrist/elbow/shoulder pain
    • Fractures
    • Arthritis
    • Sprains / Strains
  • Chronic pain
    • CRPS – Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
    • Back/neck
    • Headaches / Migraines / Concussions
    • Abdominal pain

Education & Training

  • B.S in Psychology, North Dakota State University, 2003
  • M.S. in Occupational Therapy, University of Minnesota, 2009
  • Visceral Manipulation [VM1, VM2, VM3, VM4]
  • Myofascial Release
  • Craniosacral therapy [CS1, CS2]
  • Somato Emotional Practitioner Certification
  • Kezia is currently undertaking the certification process to become an SEP – a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. This allows for her to support her patients in moving on from past traumas that may be contributing to their inability to move past pain patterns. She will complete her advanced level training and earn her certification in January 2024.