NESCA’s Londonderry, NH location has immediate availability for neuropsychological evaluations. Our NH clinicians specialize in the following evaluations: Neuropsychological; Autism; and Emotional and Psychological, as well as Academic Achievement and Learning Disability Testing. Our NH clinicians also conduct evaluations for students who are at boarding schools, and two of our NH clinicians have PsyPACT authorization, allowing them to conduct evaluations out-of-state.

Visit www.nesca-newton.com/intake for more information or to book an evaluation.

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Image of a middle schooler writing and a quote about summer intensive therapy by Dr. Ann Helmus about summer intensive therapy

Supercharge Communication Skills This Summer: The Case for Intensive Speech & Language Therapy

By | NESCA Notes 2025

Image of a middle schooler writing and a quote about summer intensive therapy by Dr. Ann Helmus about summer intensive therapyBy Ann Helmus, Ph.D.
Founder & Director, NESCA

For many students, summer is a much-needed break from the pressures of the long school year. But it’s also a unique opportunity to make powerful strides in speech and language development—far more than is often possible with weekly sessions during the academic year.

At NESCA, we offer intensive summer therapy that targets both verbal communication (such as listening comprehension, expressive language, and social communication) and written expression, an area where many students struggle.

Here’s why summer intensives can be especially effective:

  1. More Frequent Sessions = Greater Momentum
    When sessions are scheduled every other day (rather than once a week), skills are reinforced more consistently. Students retain strategies better, build habits faster, and make visible progress over a shorter period of time.
  2. Longer Sessions Allow for Deeper Work
    Without the time constraints of school-day schedules, therapy sessions can go beyond the traditional one-hour format. This gives students and therapists time to dig into more complex language tasks, problem-solve in real time, and practice generalizing skills across different contexts.
  3. Less Time Lost Re-Orienting
    With weekly sessions, valuable time is often spent reviewing what was last covered. Frequent summer sessions minimize this start-up time and allow therapy to pick up right where it left off—keeping the focus on forward movement.
  4. Fewer Distractions, Better Focus
    The relaxed pace of summer means students are often more receptive to learning. Without competing demands like homework, tests, and extracurriculars, they can be more focused and emotionally available for therapeutic work.
  5. Support for Written Expression with Proven Methods
    Our speech-language pathologist is trained in the EmPOWER method, a structured approach to teaching written expression. EmPOWER helps students organize their thoughts, clarify their ideas, and express themselves in writing with greater clarity and confidence—skills that are essential for success in school and beyond.
  6. A Stronger Start to the School Year
    Students who make gains in the summer enter the fall with more confidence, stronger foundational skills, and better self-awareness as communicators and learners.

If your child struggles with speaking, listening, or writing, summer can be the perfect time to make meaningful gains that will carry over into the school year. Intensive speech and language therapy can provide just the boost they need.

To explore next steps with NESCA’s Speech and Language Pathologists, fill out our Inquiry/Intake Form or visit our Speech and Language Evaluation and Therapy page. Our team will be in touch with you shortly to provide more information or set up a schedule of sessions that work with your family’s summer plans.

 

About the Author

NESCA Founder and Director Ann Helmus, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical neuropsychologist who has beenAnn Helmus headshot practicing neuropsychology for 35 years and has been director of NESCA’s Neuropsychology practice for nearly three decades, continuously training and mentoring  neuropsychologists to meet the highest professional standards.

To book a neuropsychological evaluation at NESCA, complete NESCA’s online intake form. 

NESCA is a pediatric neuropsychology practice and integrative treatment center with offices in Newton, Plainville, and Hingham, Massachusetts; Londonderry, New Hampshire; the greater Burlington, Vermont region; and Brooklyn, New York (coaching services only) serving clients from infancy through young adulthood and their families. For more information, please email info@nesca-newton.com or call 617-658-9800.

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The Role of Pediatric Occupational Therapy

By | NESCA Notes 2018

By: Sophie Bellenis, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist; Community-Based Skills Coach

In order to fully understand the role that occupational therapy can play in pediatric health and wellbeing, it is first important to understand the term “occupation.”  The World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) defines occupations as, “the everyday activities that people do as individuals, in families, and in communities that occupy time and bring meaning and purpose to life.”  As we know, these activities look different at every age, and our routines, habits, and responsibilities are continually growing and changing.

During childhood, the development of these skills moves more quickly than any other period of life. For example, a two-year old little girl, Katie, is learning to put on her shirt independently, kick a ball, and sort by color.  Within ten short years, Katie may be getting herself ready for the bus, writing a three-paragraph essay, and learning to play the saxophone.  The transition to adolescence comes with even more new experiences and expectations.

So where does occupational therapy come in?

Occupational therapy focuses on the child, the activity at hand, and the environment around them.  By considering all of these factors, OTs work to determine the correct modifications, adaptations, and strategies that may be necessary for success.

What is the goal?

Due to the fact that occupations are incredibly personalized, the goal of OT is often to simply increase independence and participation in valued activities.  One child may be working on learning to independently tie his shoes, while another may need help developing a morning routine to consistently follow.  These goals are only worth focusing on and problem-solving if they are important to the child and his or her family.

How do we get there?

Consider the child’s strengths and limitations. These may include physical, emotional, cognitive, sensory abilities, and much more.  A child’s particular interests, level of motivation, and understanding of themselves all play a role in their ability to engage in the things that are important to them.

Consider the environment. The environment in which a child lives and grows is physical, spiritual, social, and cultural. It is this individuality that makes it nearly impossible for an environment to be a “good fit for all users.”  Occupational therapists often work to modify the environment, or help individuals understand the role that the environment plays.

Consider the activity itself. The list of childhood occupations is seemingly never-ending.  From brushing your teeth, getting dressed, and doing chores, to maintaining friendships, navigating the digital world, and learning to take the bus, these skills all require numerous steps and different abilities.  These activities often must be broken down into small steps to determine how to help a child be successful.

My work at NESCA

At NESCA, I am currently working as a community-based skills coach, using occupational therapy to create experiential learning opportunities, and develop functional living skills.  I love having the ability to work with tweens, teens, and young adults in their own environment to collaborate on creating lasting strategies for participation and independence.

Dr. Bellenis works with a small caseload of clients aged 12-26 who have recently participated in neuropsychological evaluation and/or transition assessment at NESCA. If you have questions about working with Dr. Bellenis for Community-Based Skills Coaching, please email Kelley Challen, Director of Transition Services, at kchallen@nesca-newton.com.

 

About the Author:

Dr. Sophie Bellenis is a Licensed Occupational Therapist in Massachusetts, specializing in pediatrics and occupational therapy in the developing world. Dr. Bellenisjoined NESCA in the fall of 2017 to offer community-based skills coaching services as well as social skills coaching as part of NESCA’s transition team. Dr. Bellenis graduated from the MGH Institute of Health Professions with a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, with a focus on pediatrics and international program evaluation. She is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, as well as the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. In addition to her work at NESCA, Dr. Bellenis works as a school-based occupational therapist for the city of Salem Public Schools and believes that individual sensory needs, and visual motor skills must be taken into account to create comprehensive educational programming.

 

 

 

Neuropsychology & Education Services for Children & Adolescents (NESCA) is a pediatric neuropsychology practice and integrative treatment center with offices in Newton, Massachusetts, Plainville, Massachusetts, and Londonderry, New Hampshire, serving clients from preschool through young adulthood and their families. For more information, please email info@nesca-newton.com or call 617-658-9800.

 

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