Pediatric Speech Therapy

At Melanie Massey Physical Therapy, our speech language pathologists are highly trained to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive- communication, and swallowing disorders in children ages birth to 18 years of age.  Individualized treatment plans are developed for children with speech disorders including: difficulty in producing speech sounds correctly – articulation disorders and phonological disorders, difficulty in producing fluent speech as a result of stuttering, difficulty in sequencing speech movements as a result of Apraxia of Speech, and/ or difficulty with voice as a result of Cleft Palate and/ or resonance disorders resulting in hyper nasal speech or hypo nasal speech. Language intervention targets children’s difficulty in understanding others (receptive language), sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings (expressive language), and language based literacy skills targeting reading and writing. Our speech therapists address social communication disorders characterized by difficulty communicating for social purposes (greeting, commenting, and asking questions), altering their speech to communicate to different listeners (e.g., friends vs. teacher), and following rules of conversation. Treatment for cognitive – communication disorders involves addressing problems in organizing thoughts, remembering, paying attention, planning and/ or problem solving. Swallowing intervention is provided for children diagnosed with dysphagia and/ or sensory feeding difficulties seen in children demonstrating avoidance of certain textures and/ or temperatures.

Our therapists also provide speech and language services addressing aural rehabilitation for individuals with congenital or acquired hearing loss and provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) training for individuals with severe expressive communication disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder and neurological disorders including but not limited to cerebral palsy and Rhett syndrome.

Speech Therapists at Melanie Massey Physical Therapy, Inc. may treat any of the following disorders:

Speech Disorders:

• Apraxia of Speech
• Dysarthria
• Articulation and Phonological Disorders
• Fluency/Stuttering
• Hearing Loss

Language Disorders:

• Receptive/Expressive Deficiencies
• Language Delay
• Oral/Reading Comprehension
• Literacy (Reading/Writing)
• Phonological Awareness
• Reading/Auditory Memory
• Pragmatic (social) Language
• Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)

Voice and Resonance Disorders

Feeding and Swallowing (Dysphagia) Disorders

Common diagnosis/medical conditions that may benefit from Speech Therapy include:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
• Pervasive Developmental Disorders (also known as Autism Spectrum Disorders)
• Cleft Lip/Palate
• Down’s Syndrome
• Cerebral Palsy
• And many other syndromes and medical conditions

Speech Therapists may use such treatment methods as:

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), such as Sign Language, Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), Communication Board, or Electronic DeviceTraditional Approach to Articulation
• Minimal Pair Contrast Therapy for Phonological Processes
• Discrete Trial Procedures
• Basic Behavioral Techniques
• Social Stories
• Milieu Teaching
• Joint Book Reading
• Communication Temptations
• Psychological Methods of Fluency Treatment
• Fluency Shaping Methods of Fluency Treatment
• Fluency Modification Methods of Fluency Treatment
• Auditory/Visual Feedback thru Nasometer for Hypernasality
• Oral Motor Exercises for Oral Motor Weakness and Oral Stimulation
• Food Chaining

When should you seek an evaluation? 

The right time to seek speech/ language evaluation by our speech language pathologist is when you, the parent, are concerned.

No age is “too early”! 

Is your child a late talker? Does your child experience difficulty with following direction and/ or answering questions? Does your child demonstrate difficulty producing certain speech sounds? Do you consider whether or not your child might have delayed speech and language skills compared to other children his/ her age?

If you answered “yes” to one or more of the above questions, it is best to contact our office in order to schedule an assessment by one of our speech language pathologists to assess your child’s speech and language skills. No age is “too early” to meet with a SLP for evaluation to decide if treatment is needed.

Early intervention not only provides treatment for the child but supplies educational support and guidance for parents, which can have significant impact on your child’s development.