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Speech/Language
Therapy  Backus Children's Hospital’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. In order to promote communication with the "hearing world," a two-week summer program is available that allows children to integrate with their hearing peers. The children with hearing impairments receive daily speech therapy and auditory training. Special services -- Occasionally, children use other forms of communication to help promote speech development. This is called augmentative/alternative communication (ACC) 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 ACC team or our therapeutic feeding Team. |
