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 Pediatric rehabilitation's speech/language therapy
is provided by certified, licensed speech/language pathologists.
Services include comprehensive assessments and rehabilitative
services for disorders in the following areas: articulation,
language, fluency, voice, oral-motor, feeding, central auditory
processing, and respiration. Speech/language disorders are
frequently observed in children with the following conditions:
- Hearing Impairment
- Neurological Impairment
- Down Syndrome
- Cerebral Palsy
- Cleft Palate
- Autism
- Developmental Delay
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Prematurity
- Intellectual Impairment
- Sensory Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injury
The goal of speech/language therapy is to enable the child
to communicate functionally in his or her everyday environment.
This is achieved through a variety of therapeutic tracts, including:
Articulation therapy -- Providing speech-sound
stimulation for the correct production of sounds.
Language therapy -- Promoting speech-sound
stimulation for the correct production of sounds.
Fluency therapy (used to treat stuttering)
-- Using techniques and strategies to encourage smooth, easy
speech.
Voice therapy -- Used to reduce hoarseness
and determine and maintain appropriate pitch, nasality, volume,
and inflection.
Oral-motor, feeding, respiration therapy -- Teaches
breathing skills and adequate structure/function of the oral
mechanism
for communication, feeding, and swallowing.
Cochlear implant/hearing impaired program -- Hearing
impaired children are instructed to use the most functional communication
system for everyday interactions. That may include speech,
sign language, or a combination of both methods. Auditory training
and lip-reading skills are also used to increase the child's
communication. Sign language classes are available for all
family members.
Special services -- Occasionally, children
use other forms of communication to help promote speech development.
This is
called augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) and may
include using pictures to communicate, using a talking computer,
or using sign language. Children may also have nutritional
problems because of feeding/swallowing issues. When these problems
are present, children are often referred to our specialized
AAC team or our therapeutic feeding Team.
For more information, call 912-350-9666.
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