Pediatric Speech Therapy
Communication is Key to Human Development & Relationships
The goal of our pediatric speech therapy department is to improve the quality of everyday life for children with a range of developmental delays and special needs. Team members work to develop individualized therapy programs to optimize development for patients from birth to young adulthood. Our team approach and child-friendly atmosphere help children reach age-appropriate and condition-appropriate goals. Our Speech-Language Pathologists are specially trained in pediatric therapy and provide support, assessments, and interventions tailored to help each child reach his/her maximum potential.
What Happens During Speech/Language Therapy?
When you bring your child in for evaluation and treatment, you can expect:
- Evaluation lasting up to 90 minutes and treatment lasting up 60 minutes
- Conversation about your child’s strengths and areas of need
- Play-based methods for younger children and strategy-based methods for older children
- Therapy tools tailored to your child’s interests
- Recommendations on how to target speech/language and feeding skills at home
There is no “one size fits all” therapy! Talk to your speech/language pathologist about your child’s specific needs!
Does My Child Need Speech/Language Therapy?
16-18 months
- No words or a limited vocabulary
- Produces few consonant sounds
24-26 months
- Not yet combining words for short sentences
3-4 years
- Not yet retelling stories or talking about past events
- Not understood 75-100% of the time by family and caregivers
- Difficulty using grammar and specific vocabulary words
- Difficulty following directions
6+ years
- Difficulty memorizing facts, learning, reading, or recalling words
- Difficulty pronouncing speech sounds clearly
- Difficulty engaging in conversation
Any age
- A chronically hoarse or harsh voice quality
- Involuntary & frequent repetitions, hesitations, prolongations, blocks or disruptions during speech
- Inability, difficulty, or refusal to chew or eat by mouth
- Frequent coughing or choking on foods or liquids
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, talk to your primary care physician about making a speech/language therapy & audiology (hearing) referral. Call (719) 589-8100 to schedule a speech/language evaluation.