Pediatric Speech-Language Pathology

Our speech-language pathologists help kids with a wide variety of delays and disorders that affect their ability to communicate — whether they struggle to learn or comprehend language, produce the correct vocal sounds needed to speak, or express their thoughts correctly and appropriately. A speech-language pathologist may also assist in treating conditions that affect hearing or swallowing. Specialized home and group programs may be incorporated to help kids practice new skills and build confidence.

A speech-language pathologist may be part of your child’s care team for a variety of different conditions, including:

Developmental and genetic conditions

This includes neurological conditions (such as autism spectrum disorder, brain injury, or developmental delays) and physical conditions (such as cleft palate) that interfere with your child’s ability to speak and communicate effectively.

Feeding and swallowing disorders

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

These disorders affect your child’s ability to either process and understand language used by others or express their own thoughts and feelings effectively.

Social communication disorders

Difficulty using verbal or non-verbal communication, such as reading and responding to social cues or following conversation rules and expectations like taking turns and asking questions.

Speech disorders

Conditions that interfere with the physical motor skills — that is movements of the mouth, lips, and tongue — that are necessary to produce clear speech. Impairments of speech clarity may be related to tone, coordination, oral structures, awareness of sound patterns, or delayed development.

Verbal fluency

Variations in verbal fluency, including stuttering and cluttering (speech that sounds rapid or disorganized) may have a significant impact on communication effectiveness.

Our speech-language pathologists provide a wide variety of treatments and services for children of all ages. Some speech and language treatment scholarships are available from the Lions Club of Southeast Michigan and First Word Society. Families are approved based on financial need.

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

Therapies focused on helping kids with speech disorders find additional or alternative ways to communicate, such as gestures and facial expressions, writing and drawing, or using speech generation software.

Cognitive-communication therapy

Therapies designed to help kids who have cognitive deficits, such as poor memory or attention, gain skills and coping strategies to improve their ability to communicate.

Feeding and swallowing therapy

We use a variety of techniques to diagnose and treat feeding and swallowing disorders, including VitalStim® neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy to help kids develop swallowing skills.

Language therapy

Therapy designed for kids who have difficultly learning words, understanding others, or expressing their own ideas.

Speech therapy

Therapy focused on helping kids build the mechanical skills (such as controlling mouth, lip, and tongue movements) they need to speak clearly. Therapy may also include focus on skills such as phonological awareness, self-monitoring, and self-correcting.

Voice and fluency therapy

Speech therapy for kids who struggle with speaking flow due to challenges like cluttering (speech that sounds rapid or disorganized), breath support, and vocal control.

Our team helps coordinate funding opportunities for families in need. Some speech and language treatment scholarships are available from the Lions Club of Southeast Michigan and First Word Society. Families are approved based on financial need.

This innovative hospital-based program — the first of its kind in Michigan — is specially designed to meet the needs of preschool-aged children who have been diagnosed with speech or language challenges.

Classroom sessions are led by a certified pediatric speech-language pathologist and a certified teacher with early childhood and special education experience. Children attend two half-day sessions per week, which feature a variety of language-based activities tailored to each child’s individual level of learning.

Classes take place at the Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital Care Center in Royal Oak.

• Morning sessions are available Monday to Friday, 9 to 11:45 am
• Afternoon sessions are available Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 3:45 pm

For more information about class availability and scheduling, call 248.655.3191.