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.

If a child has trouble with speech, he or she struggles with the "how-to" of talking-the coordination of the muscles and movements necessary to produce speech. If the child has trouble with language, he or she struggles with understanding what he/she hears or sees.

The child may struggle to find the right words and/or organize those words in a meaningful way to communicate a message or hold a conversation.

Therapy may also evaluate and treat children who have difficulty swallowing food or liquid.

Meet Our Therapists

What can a Speech Language Pathologist do?

Evaluate the child's level of performance
Observe the child's home and school environment to determine how it may be modified to support speech and language development
Develop a plan of treatment in coordination with other health care professionals who are treating the child
Teach age appropriate speech and language skills and safe swallowing techniques
Educate about stages of speech and language development and safe swallow techniques
Consult with individuals involved in the child's daily life

What can parents and families do?

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

Meet our Speech Language Therapists

Alison Stewart-Dunham, MS, SLP-CCC
Speech Language Pathology Department Coordinator

Bio

Welcome to our team! Come back to learn more.

Olivia Hansen, MA, CF-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist

Bio

Welcome to our team! Come back to learn more.

Melanie Harris, MS, SLP-CCC
Speech Language Pathologist

Bio

Welcome to our team! Come back to learn more.

Hallee Hoeppner, MS, CF-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist

Bio

Welcome to our team! Come back to learn more.

Mallory Nason, MA, SLP-CCC
Speech Language Pathologist

Bio

I completed my B.S. degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Northern Michigan University in 2018 and my M.A. degree in Communication sciences and disorders at California State University - Chico in 2020.

My pediatric experience includes feeding in birth - 6 years, developmental language disorders, speech sound disorders, and rehabilitation for speech-language and cognitive skills following brain injuries.

William Thomson, MA, SLP-CCC
Speech Language Pathologist

Bio

William has worked in outpatient, acute care, school, and home health settings.

William's passion for working with children is in part due to the level of energy, positivity, and sense of wonder they bring to therapy. It doesn't hurt that they laugh at his dad jokes.

William is a speech pathologist, who hails from Michigan (go Red Wings!), enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, camp fires, campy movies and television shows, sci fi, cars, and tech.