Pediatric Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-language pathologists help kids improve their ability to communicate with others. We use the latest techniques to help children maximize their communication skills and social potential, with individualized treatments that focus on skills specific to each child. Specialized home and group programs are used to help kids practice new skills and build confidence.

A speech-language pathologist might be part of your child’s care team if they have any condition that interferes with their ability to use verbal or nonverbal communication effectively, whether they struggle with understanding and interpreting language, expressing it, or using it in socially appropriate ways. They also treat conditions that affect hearing, swallowing, or vocal production. Conditions treated include:

Developmental and genetic conditions

Conditions that are neurological (such as autism spectrum disorder, brain injury, or developmental delay) or physical (such as cleft palate, damaged vocal cords, or weak muscles in the lips and mouth).

Feeding and swallowing disorders

Conditions that make it difficult for a child to eat, drink, or swallow, which may result in poor weight gain or frequent choking on food. If your child has difficulty controlling the mouth or throat movements necessary for chewing or swallowing, they may work with a speech-language pathologist, as the muscles required for these actions are the same ones required for speaking.

Language disorders

Conditions that affect a child’s ability to understand and process others’ language or express their own thoughts and feelings clearly.

Social communication disorders

Difficulty using both verbal and non-verbal communication appropriately in social settings, such as following conversation rules, understanding social cues, or adapting conversation style to suit the situation.

Speech disorders

Conditions that interfere with a child’s physical ability to produce sounds and words necessary for speaking.

Our therapists use a range of techniques to help kids improve their communication, oral motor, and swallowing skills, including:

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

Techniques to help kids who struggle with speaking find other ways to communicate. This can include everything from learning to use gestures and facial expressions, to writing and drawing, to using a speech-generating computer device.

Cognitive-communication therapy

Therapies that address communication difficulties that arise from cognitive deficits, such as poor memory or attention.

Feeding and swallowing therapy

We use a variety of techniques to diagnose and treat feeding and swallowing disorders. We can examine your child’s throat while they swallow, using either a camera on a thin, flexible tube (fiberoptic evaluation) or X-rays (video fluoroscopic swallow studies). We also offer VitalStim® neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy to help kids develop swallowing skills. Swallow studies are available at our 35 Michigan Street and Zeeland locations.

Language therapy

Therapy for children who have difficulty understanding others’ speech or expressing their own ideas. They may be able to produce sounds and words clearly but struggle to understand others or put words or sentences together with the correct order and meaning.

Speech therapy

Therapy for children who have difficulty with the physical mechanics of speaking, such as coordinating or controlling mouth, lip, and tongue movements in order to produce clear words.

Voice and fluency therapy

Speech therapy focused specifically on helping kids improve their speaking flow if they have a fluency disorder, such as stuttering or speech that sounds rapid or disorganized (cluttering).