Speech and language are essential for communication starting at a young age. Language involves incorporating social rules to determine word meanings, how to put words together, and determining what word combinations are best in different situations. Speech includes how speech sounds are made, the use of our vocal folds and breathing to produce sound, and the rhythm of speech.

Communication disorders can involve speech and language difficulties in isolation or in conjunction with one another. Speech-Language Pathologists (informally known as Speech Therapists) assess, diagnose, treat and help prevent disorders related to speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, fluency, and swallowing. Our Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologists specialize in evaluating and treating various speech and language disorders in children including the following:

Speech Disorders: Problems with fluency, voice, and/or speech production.

Apraxia: difficulty sequencing the sounds in syllables and words.

Stuttering: disruption in the fluency of speech usually starting in childhood.

Voice: vocal production characterized by inappropriate pitch, quality, or loudness

Speech Sound Disorders: difficulties with articulation (making sounds) and phonological processes (sound patterns).

Language Disorders: Problems with understanding and/or using spoken, written, or symbol systems

Receptive/Expressive Language Delays: difficulties understanding and expressing language.

Language-Based Learning Disabilities: difficulties with age-appropriate reading, spelling, and/or writing.

Social Pragmatic Language Disorder: difficulties with social interaction, social cognition, and pragmatics.

Cognitive-Communication Disorders: impairment of cognitive processes including attention, memory, abstract reasoning, awareness, and executive functioning (e.g. self-monitoring, planning, and problem-solving)

Auditory Processing Disorders: inability to understand spoken language in the absence of a hearing problem

Alternative Communication: communication systems and devices (i.e. augmentative and alternative communication systems) that assist individuals with severe communication disorders