At Power of Play Speech Therapy, we believe the best learning happens through joy. We help children in Pico Rivera, East LA, Montebello, Alhambra, Whittier, and Downey communicate, connect, and thrive through bilingual, play-based speech therapy.
Hablamos Español · Bilingual Services Available Ver en español →
Families in Pico Rivera come to Power of Play because they want a therapist who truly sees their child, not just their diagnosis. Here's what sets our practice apart.
We conduct evaluations and sessions in English, Spanish, or both, whichever best reflects your child's natural language environment. Being bilingual is a strength we celebrate, not a complication to manage.
We follow your child's interests and use play as the medium for learning. Kids make the fastest progress when they feel safe, seen, and genuinely engaged. Not when they're sitting at a table repeating words on command.
We don't try to change who your child is. Whether your child is autistic, a gestalt language processor, or simply developing on their own timeline, our approach respects and celebrates neurodiversity.
Parent coaching is built into every session. You'll leave each appointment with strategies you can use at home, because the most powerful therapy happens in everyday moments, not just in a therapy room.
We work with children from infancy through school age across a wide range of communication needs. Every plan is individualized, because no two children are the same.
Helping children produce sounds clearly so they can be understood by family, teachers, and peers.
Supporting children who are late talkers or struggling to understand and use language effectively.
Research-backed early support for infants and toddlers showing early signs of communication differences.
Comprehensive assessments in English and Spanish to determine whether a difference is a delay or just bilingualism at work.
Specialized support for children who communicate using scripts, echolalia, or chunks of language rather than single words.
Supporting children who use devices, picture systems, or other tools to communicate. All voices deserve to be heard.
Compassionate, evidence-based support for children who stutter, with a focus on confidence as much as fluency.
Support for families before, during, and after the IEP meeting. See how it works below ↓
Building the conversational, perspective-taking, and friendship skills children need to thrive socially.
I'm a bilingual speech-language pathologist born and raised in Los Angeles, and I know this community well. Most of my work happens where your child is most comfortable: in your own home, on the living room floor, at the kitchen table, with the toys they already have. I see families across Pico Rivera and the surrounding neighborhoods.
With 10+ years of clinical experience across in-home therapy, early intervention, private practice, and school settings, I founded Power of Play on a simple belief: children communicate best when they feel safe and connected. Play is the most natural place for that to happen. Every session is child-led, parent-inclusive, grounded in evidence, and joyful.
I've also spent years working inside public schools, so I know that system from the inside. Families here often navigate a district that doesn't have enough bilingual staff, and if you ever need help understanding your child's IEP or what the school is proposing, I can support you with that too.
I hold a Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA (CCC-SLP), am licensed in California, and hold an Advanced Certificate in Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology from the Bilingual Extension Institute.
En Power of Play Speech Therapy, ofrecemos servicios de terapia del habla y lenguaje completamente en español, inglés, o en ambos idiomas, lo que mejor funcione para su familia. Entendemos que criar a un niño bilingüe es un regalo, no un obstáculo. Nuestra clinicista, Ariel Gomez, es bilingüe y bicultural, y trabaja con familias de East LA, Pico Rivera, Montebello, y comunidades vecinas.
Si tiene preguntas sobre el desarrollo del lenguaje de su hijo, sobre evaluaciones bilingües, o sobre cómo comenzar el proceso, no dude en comunicarse con nosotros. Ofrecemos una consulta inicial gratuita y sin presión.
Families in Pico Rivera are usually served by El Rancho Unified School District, with parts of the city falling under Montebello Unified. Whichever district your child attends, you do not have to walk into that IEP meeting alone.
We review the assessment and the proposed goals before your meeting so you understand what is actually being recommended, and why.
A bilingual clinician can tell you whether the evaluation fairly accounted for a child who is learning in two languages.
We help you prepare your questions ahead of time, and can attend the IEP meeting with you by Zoom.
We provide bilingual Independent Educational Evaluations written to meet district reporting standards.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation and we'll talk through what you're noticing, answer your questions, and help you figure out next steps. Zero pressure.
We believe every family deserves to know what to expect. Our pricing is straightforward with no hidden fees.
A no-pressure introductory call to learn about your child, answer your questions, and see if we're a good fit for your family.
Virtual therapy sessions available for families across California. Same play-based, child-led approach delivered through a secure online platform.
A full session including 45 minutes of play-based therapy with your child followed by 15 minutes of parent coaching to review goals and home strategies.
The most powerful thing in your child's language development is you. You are with them more hours in a week than any therapist will be in a year. These sessions show you how to turn play, meals, and everyday routines into language practice.
A thorough assessment including standardized testing, clinical observation, and a detailed written report with findings, diagnosis (if applicable), and a personalized treatment plan.
Bilingual & culturally responsive evaluations available. We assess both languages to distinguish a language difference from a language disorder.
A second opinion on your child's school assessment, and you may not have to pay for it. If your child was evaluated by their school district and you disagree with the results, or simply want an independent perspective, you have the right under federal law (IDEA) to request an Independent Educational Evaluation. The school district must either fund it or formally contest it in writing.
Unlike a standard evaluation, an IEE includes a full review of your child's school records, prior district assessments, and IEP history, and the report is written to meet district and legal review standards.
Our IEEs are bilingual (English and Spanish), conducted by a licensed CCC-SLP with both clinical and school-based experience, and written to meet district reporting standards. IEP meeting attendance is available as an add-on, so your SLP can present the findings and advocate for recommendations directly at the table.
Payment Methods
Zelle and Venmo are the simplest way to pay and are our preferred methods. We also accept all major credit and debit cards at no extra charge to you, since we cover the processing fee ourselves.
If you would rather use a card, that is completely fine. It also means you can cover an evaluation or IEE up front and submit your superbill for out-of-network reimbursement, without the full cost sitting in your checking account while you wait on your insurer.
In-home travel
In-home sessions within 10 miles of Pico Rivera have no travel fee. Sessions beyond that radius carry a $30 travel surcharge per visit, confirmed in writing before your first session.
Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much your child's care will cost. Under federal law, health care providers must give patients not using insurance an estimate of expected charges.
For more information, visit cms.gov/nosurprises.
Support for families facing an annual review, a reevaluation, a reduction in services, a change in placement, or a proposed exit from special education. Includes review of the current and previous IEP, assessment reports and progress on goals, and a written list of the questions to bring to the meeting. Meeting attendance available by Zoom.
Every service is optional and billed only after it is completed.
Learn more about IEP support →
What It Costs
Two hours is the maximum for any one meeting. We are educational consultants, not attorneys.
Superbills Provided
We provide superbills upon request so you can seek reimbursement through your insurance's out-of-network benefits. Reimbursement is not guaranteed and varies by plan. Please check with your provider before starting services.
“My son loved Ariel right when she walked through the door and she already started language interventions through greeting, asking him questions, and narrating his actions from the start. Ariel was thorough, informative, and educational from beginning to the end of the evaluation. No hesitation for recommending other parents to reach out to her!”
Fill out the form below and Ariel will get back to you within 1–2 business days. You can also reach us directly at (213) 826-2529 or ariel@powerofplayspeechtherapy.com.
Power of Play Speech Therapy serves families throughout the East Los Angeles region. If you're in any of the cities or neighborhoods below, we'd love to connect.