Intensive, interdisciplinary programs in Martínez, Buenos Aires, led by Mariana Rodríguez, MS. We work with families from Argentina and around the world.
The Admission Interview can be done online from any country.
Mariana Rodríguez, MS · Director of Fonakids · Specialist in Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a neurological motor speech disorder: the brain has difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed to speak. It is not a matter of “not talking much” or lack of willingness.
Many children with CAS understand much more than they can express. A specific, intensive and early approach is key to their progress, which is why the first step is an assessment to understand what is happening with each child.
These signs are not a diagnosis. Only a professional assessment can determine it.
Two intensive treatment formats, based on motor learning and active family participation. Each plan is tailored based on a prior assessment.
Neurolinguistic kinesthetic-motor approach, with repeated stimulation that supports the formation and consolidation of new motor patterns, within a structured play-based setting.
Intensive work focused on one specific developmental area, using the same approaches as the P.I.F.
In early intervention, the most influential part of a child’s environment is how their parents interact with them. That is why, from the start of every intensive, we also work with parents through parent guidance or the Hanen program.
Ongoing contact with the team gives you the tools to keep the progress going at home, with simple strategies, once the program ends.
Research over recent decades has shown that the brain can achieve significant change in response to systematic, consistent and frequent stimulation.
On that basis, and after a comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessment, we design a highly specialized, individualized intervention. The goal: helping each child reach higher functional levels in specific areas of motor, cognitive and speech development.
In practice, these 4 pillars make the difference between a treatment that moves forward and one that stalls.
High therapeutic dosage and daily frequency. A child’s brain learns best through consistent repetition.
Speech therapy, OT, psychology, educational psychology and more, coordinated as one team.
You are part of it. We teach you what to do at home so progress continues beyond the session.
No two children are alike. We design the exact plan your child needs, in intensity and disciplines.
Every case needs a different combination. That is why we integrate disciplines that work together and share therapeutic goals.
Neuromotor approach with motor planning programs and the FONAKIDS methodology.
Sensory integration, fine motor skills and daily living skills.
Learning processes, attention, literacy and reasoning.
Emotional support for the child and guidance for families.
Strategies for self-regulation, behavior and independence.
Feeding difficulties and oral sensory-motor disorders.
Practical tools to support the process at home.
Support for the family throughout the program.
Everything starts with the Admission Interview. From there, based on your child’s needs, we define the next steps together.
The first meeting to get to know your child, review medical, school and therapy history, understand the family’s needs and recommend the best path. It is not a diagnostic session. If you live abroad, it is done by video call.
Before treatment starts, we assess your child to determine their level of functioning in each developmental area and agree on goals between the team and the family. In the P.I.F. it takes 2 or 3 sessions per therapy area; in the T.F.I., 3 sessions. It is included in both programs.
P.I.F.: 3, 4 or 6 weeks, Monday to Friday, 3 hours per day. T.F.I.: 4 weeks, 3 days per week, 2 hours per day. Each program starts with an assessment to agree on goals between the team and the family.
The program ends, the support doesn’t. We follow up with your family and meet with your child’s therapy team in your city so they can continue with the same approach.
MS – Speech Language Specialist · Licensed Speech-Language Therapist · Director of Fonakids
Speech-language therapist specialized in Childhood Apraxia of Speech and creator of the FONAKIDS Approach. She leads an interdisciplinary team of licensed professionals with ongoing training in evidence-based approaches, and gives workshops nationally and internationally.
Many families travel to Buenos Aires specifically for the Intensive Program. We support you from the first video call until after you return home.
The Admission Interview is done by video call, from any country. You only travel if the team recommends it.
We give you concrete start options during the feedback session, so you can plan flights and your stay in advance.
We advise you on where to stay near the center in Martínez and how to organize your arrival.
Payments from abroad are made through PayPal, simply and securely from any country.
We are available Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm (GMT-3). We schedule the interview at a convenient time for your time zone.
We work with different time slots and build a schedule that respects your child’s activities.
We follow up with the family to see how your child is doing and adjust recommendations.
We meet with your child’s speech therapist and therapists in your country so they can continue with the same approach.
Families from Uruguay, Chile and different provinces of Argentina share, in their own words, their experience of the Fonakids Intensive Program. (Videos in Spanish.)
Shasnahia, mom of Sheray📍 Uruguay
YouTube ↗Victoria, mom of Joaco📍 Chile
YouTube ↗Daniela, mom of Ramiro📍 Uruguay
YouTube ↗Ximena, mom of Borja📍 Mendoza, Argentina
YouTube ↗María, mom of Juan Francisco📍 San Juan, Argentina
YouTube ↗Valeria, mom of Lorenzo📍 Monte Hermoso, Buenos Aires
YouTube ↗Luis📍 Buenos Aires, Argentina
YouTube ↗Giselle, mom of Federico📍 Buenos Aires, Argentina
YouTube ↗Kary, mom of Constantino📍 Buenos Aires, Argentina
YouTube ↗Fernanda, mom of Pedro📍 Buenos Aires, Argentina
YouTube ↗María Eva, mom of Simón📍 Buenos Aires, Argentina
YouTube ↗Agostina, mom of Santino📍 Buenos Aires, Argentina
YouTube ↗Celeste, mom of Benja📍 Buenos Aires, Argentina
YouTube ↗Theoretical and practical training in the FONAKIDS Approach, for professionals and families in any country.
Designed for speech therapists, therapists and teachers who work with children with Apraxia of Speech, and for parents who want to understand how to help their child at home. They are also the ideal complement after the Intensive Program: your child’s therapy team can train in the same approach.
Details of each stage of the process and current fees.
Online or in person · not diagnostic
Includes a meeting with the team, review of history, feedback and guidance on next steps.
Argentina: bank transfer or MercadoPago · International: PayPal
P.I.F. or T.F.I. · in person in Martínez
Includes the prior assessment. Quoted individually based on the program, duration and areas your child needs. We send you the full details by email.
Fees plus VAT · A 30% deposit is required to reserve your spot
Interdisciplinary · in person in Martínez
For families who only need the assessment, without treatment. Interdisciplinary clinical sessions covering language, speech, communication, neurodevelopment, sensory processing, behavior and learning, with professional feedback.
Argentina: in pesos at the Banco Nación exchange rate of the day · International: PayPal
If you have any other questions, write to us at [email protected].
Everything starts with the Admission Interview. We get to know the child, review their history and guide you toward the most suitable program. Then, the prior assessment (included in treatment) defines the goals and intensity of the work.
You start with the Admission Interview by video call. If the team recommends the Global Assessment or the Intensive Program, we coordinate travel dates to Martínez, Buenos Aires, together. We can advise you on lodging and logistics.
No. The Global Developmental Assessment and the Intensive Program take place exclusively in person in Martínez, since interdisciplinary work and specialized materials require it. The Admission Interview can be done online.
We follow up with the family and meet with your child’s therapy team in your country so they can continue with the same approach.
No. The Admission Interview is the first step and is not diagnostic: it is for getting to know each other, reviewing your child’s clinical, school and therapy history, and recommending the best path. The Global Assessment is a separate clinical process that does include an interdisciplinary diagnosis.
The program runs all year round. Once we determine that an intensive is the right option, we build a tailored plan considering the time needed (3, 4 or 6 weeks), the combination of interventions and the clinical team best suited to your child. Then we share available dates; sometimes there may be a waiting period, because your child’s clinical needs always come first.
P.I.F.: Monday to Friday, 3 hours per day, for 3, 4 or 6 weeks (4 is the most common). T.F.I.: 4 weeks, 3 days per week, 2 hours each day. The exact duration depends on the assessment and the family’s needs.
Yes. Both the P.I.F. and the T.F.I. include the prior assessment. If you only need an assessment, without treatment, you can do the Global Developmental Assessment, which costs USD 1,500 + VAT.
Once the program is defined, a 30% deposit is required to reserve your spot. Fees are quoted plus VAT.
We offer a range of time slots throughout the day. If it isn’t necessary, we don’t recommend taking the child out of school during the intensive: many children come in the afternoon or during school holidays. When it is needed, we support the family and the school in that decision.
We ask for your child’s medical and therapy history: reports, assessments and previous treatments. We review them during the Admission Interview.
Payments from abroad are made only through PayPal. In Argentina we accept bank transfer and MercadoPago; the Global Assessment can also be paid in pesos at the Banco Nación exchange rate of the day.
Fill out the form and the team will contact you within 24 business hours to schedule a day and time.
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Fonakids provides interdisciplinary outpatient therapy programs delivered by professionals licensed in their respective disciplines. Our services do not involve hospitalization and do not replace medical check-ups, medical diagnoses or treatments prescribed by each patient’s external healthcare providers.