speech-language pathology

how we treat speech-language disorders at Dayton Children’s

We use observation, standardized testing and advanced tools to assess your child’s needs for a variety of conditions. Then we create a personalized treatment plan focused on functional goals to help your child improve communication and thrive. Our top evaluations include:

programs & clinics

ongoing speech therapy 

For children who need continued speech therapy, our team works closely with families to set meaningful, functional goals using proven, evidence-based methods. These goals are adjusted as your child progresses through treatment.

If your child receives therapy at school, we can coordinate with the school therapist on the child’s goals.

We believe parents and guardians are essential partners in their child’s care. Therapists will provide guidance and resources to help you support your child’s speech goals at home between sessions.

Our therapists use a variety of strategies tailored to each child’s needs, including:

• Language intervention: Using play, books and conversation to build language skills.
• Articulation therapy: Teaching correct sound production through modeling and guided practice.
• Oral-motor and feeding therapy: Strengthening mouth muscles with exercises and working with food textures to improve eating and swallowing.

summer therapy sessions

We offer summer speech therapy programs for patients who are already receiving services at their school during the year. If you are interested in continuing your child’s therapy during the summer please speak with your primary care physician to receive a referral. We will perform an evaluation during each spring before beginning these services with your child during the summer.

for your visit with speech-language pathology

before your visit 

We’re committed to making your experience in speech-language therapy smooth and supportive. To begin speech-language therapy, your child will need a referral from a primary care provider or specialist. Once we receive the referral, our central scheduling team will contact you to set up an initial evaluation. We also recommend a hearing test through our audiology department for children referred for speech or language concerns.

what to expect during your visit

During your child’s first visit, both you and your child will take part in the evaluation. To help your child feel comfortable, we recommend arriving well-rested, fed and bringing a favorite toy or book.

The speech-language pathologist will begin by asking you questions about your child’s development and communication, such as:

• When did your child start crawling, walking, talking or eating?
• How do they interact with others at home?
• Is there a family history of speech, language or hearing issues?
• Does your child get frustrated when trying to communicate?
• What strategies have you tried at home?
• What are your main concerns?

The therapist will then evaluate your child using age-appropriate methods. This may include observing play or social interaction, or using formal tests for older children. The goal is to assess how well your child understands and uses language, and how clearly they speak.

find more resources for your visit

Get checklists, resources, and helpful tips for before, during, and after your visit to Dayton Children’s—so you know exactly what to expect.