Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy

In-home and In-Clinic Pediatric Speech Language Therapy

Although people often think of speech and language as the same thing, the terms have very different meanings.

Speech is how we say sounds and words. Speech includes articulation, voice, and fluency. Articulation focuses on the coordination of muscles and movements necessary to produce speech. Voice is how we use out vocal folds and breath to make sounds. Fluency is the rhythm of our speech.

Language refers to the words we use and how we use them to share ideas
and get what we want. Language includes what words mean, how to make new words, how to put words together in a phrase or sentence, and what we should say at different times and in different situations.

Speech-language pathologists do not only support individuals with speech and language differences, but they also evaluate and treat individuals who have difficulty swallowing food or liquid.

Meet Our Therapists

What can a Speech Language Pathologist do?

Things to Know:

We have funded 22 speech-generating devices in the last 2 years!
We are currently treating nine children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and utilize best evidence-based practice for treatment, such as Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC).

What can parents and families do?

Stay educated and ask questions about the child's treatment plan
Be involved with your child's therapy and progress
Follow through with suggested activities at home and in the community to encourage further development

Are you a patient with Medicaid coverage?

Learn about home health speech services through our sister company Nurture Home Health Care.

Meet our Speech Language Therapists

Alison Stewart-Dunham, MS, CCC-SLP
(She/Her)
Speech-Language Pathology Department Coordinator

Bio

Alison received her B.S. degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Oregon in 2017 and her M.S. degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Vermont in 2020.

Alison describes herself as passionate and adaptable. She spends her time in home improvement/renovation projects, gardening, and caring for her dogs Raleigh and Moose.

Alison’s clinical strengths include supporting tweens and teens with complex communication needs, programming and developing language to aid in functional communication, and play-based and trauma-assumed care. Her specific passions include speech-generating devices, multi-modal communication, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, voice disorders, and gender-affirming voice care.

Olivia Hansen, MA, CF-SLP
(She/Her)
Clinical Fellow Speech-Language Pathologist

Bio

Olivia received her B.A. degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing from the University of Kansas in 2020 and her M.A. degree in Speech & Language Pathology from the University of Kansas in 2022.

Olivia’s clinical strengths include child-led therapy, articulation delays/disorders, mixed expressive-receptive language delays/disorders, autism, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She has previous experience in two public school settings in rural and urban Kansas as well as serving adults in an outpatient hospital in Nebraska.

Olivia describes herself as ambitious and fun. She likes to spend her time going to coffee shops and reading.

Olivia is extremely interested in working with autistic children and learning from them! Olivia is also very passionate about helping children learn articulation (i.e., the sounds we say). She believes there is something so special about watching a child say /r/ or /th/ for the first time!

William Thomson, MA, CCC-LLP
(He/Him)
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist

Bio

William received his B.A. degree in Linguistics from Oakland University in 2011. He also obtained a certification to teach English as a second language while obtaining his bachelor’s degree! William received his M.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University in 2019.

William has experience working in outpatient, acute care, school, and home health settings. He describes himself as nerdy and adventurous. He loves his 7-year-old pup, Oreo, racing cars, hiking, going to concerts, camping, and playing board games.

William’s clinical strengths include focusing on client-led therapy and play style. He works to include speech tasks as a natural aspect of therapy, making communication functional in the moment and working to promote variety when a kiddo tends to perseverate on a preferred activity. William’s highest interest in the field is Childhood Apraxia of Speech, which he is actively learning more about.

Malloree Nason, MA, CCC-SLP
(She/Her)
Speech-Language Pathologist

Bio

Mallorie received her B.S. degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Northern Michigan University in 2018 and her M.A. degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from California State University – Chico in 2020.

Mallorie describes herself as footloose and fancy-free. She likes to spend time with her two cats, Moose and Mister, traveling, and performing aerial silks.

Mallorie has past experience working in early intervention, focusing on both communication and feeding in infants (12 months and younger). Her clinical strengths include pediatric feeding, early intervention, and cognition and communication. Mallorie’s interests within the field include AAC evaluation and implementation as well as gender-affirming voice therapy.

Melanie Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
(She/Her)
Speech-Language Pathologist

Bio

Melanie received her B.S. and accelerated M.S. degrees from Misericordia University. She has previous experience developing and establishing speech therapy programs in elementary, middle, and high schools across Pennsylvania and Delaware for the past five years.

Melanie describes herself as social and active. She likes to spend her time baking, decorating, and finding new things to try.

Melanie’s clinical strengths include articulation disorders and working with children ranging in ages from 3-19 years old. Her interests within the field include the early stages of language development and articulation disorders.

Hallee Hoeppner, MS, CF-SLP
(She/Her)
Clinical Fellow Speech-Language Pathologist

Bio

Hallee received her B.S. degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2020 and her M.S. degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2022.

Hallee describes herself as outdoorsy and kind. She likes to spend her time hiking, skiing, and sending time with friends.

Hallee’s clinical strengths include utilizing play-based, child-led, and trauma-assumed care, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and interprofessional collaboration. Her interests within the field include supporting children with complex communication needs, multi-modal communication, speech-generating devices, and cognitive aspects of communication.