Childhood Speech and Language Disorders

Since 1972, the Speech and Language Pathology Department, Center for Childhood Speech and Language Disorders has helped children with speech and language impairments learn to achieve their maximum communicative, functional and social potential.

Childhood Speech and Language Service Overview

A diagnostic evaluation is completed by specialized Beaumont Children's Hospital Speech and Language Pathologists. Parents are provided with the standardized test results. Diagnostic impressions and recommendations are discussed with parents during a parent conference. An individualized treatment program is developed for each child and is based upon the child's severity of communication disorder.

We offer individual speech and language disorder treatment sessions 1 to 3 times a week until the child achieves their treatment goals. Parent observation and education continue throughout the treatment program. Home programs are designed to enhance the child's progress outside the clinic environment. Specialized group programs help each child practice their new skills in a group setting, thus providing the child with success and confidence.

Childhood Speech and Language Conditions Treated

• Childhood speech and language delay/disorder
• Developmental apraxia/dyspraxia of speech
• Phonological process disorders
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Pragmatic disorders
• Cleft palate
• Stuttering
• Down syndrome
• Orofacial myology
• Cochlear implant
• Traumatic brain injury
• Neurological disorders resulting in speech, language and swallowing/feeding impairments

Skills of Speech-Language Pathologists

Our nationally accredited staff members are clinically certified in Speech and Language Pathology and are specialists in the area of childhood speech and language disorders. In addition, our department is a recognized training center for physicians and graduate level students in speech and language pathology.

Treatment Scholarship Plan

The Treatment Scholarship Plan concentrates money on an individual child based on financial need. If a family meets the criteria for funding, their child receives needed treatment for his/her communicative disorder, thanks to the generosity of donors to our Speech-Language Pathology Scholarship Fund.

Gaining Independence Through Beaumont's Speech & Language Department

For over 31 years the Lion's Clubs of Southeast Michigan have helped to give voices to the children of Beaumont's Childhood Speech and Language Department. Watch one parent's experience with a difficult diagnosis for her child and the help that came from our Speech and Language Department and the Lion's Club.

Benefits of Speech and Language Treatment

Specialized treatment for children between the ages of 12 months and 14 years. The program includes:

• Individual treatment sessions which focus on intensive speech and language stimulation
• Group treatment sessions which focus on socialization skills, as well as carry-over of speech and language skills
• Direct parent education with observation of treatment sessions to enable the learning of stimulation techniques for use within the home