Children's Health

Pediatric Speech Therapy

Caring support for infants, children and teens with speech, language, communication and feeding challenges from licensed speech-language pathologists.

Pediatric speech therapy at TidalHealth is a family-centered service led by licensed speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who support infants, children, and adolescents with communication, feeding, and swallowing needs. Our team provides care for a variety of concerns, including speech sound disorders like articulation difficulties, language delays and disorders (receptive and expressive language), social-pragmatic communication differences such as those seen in autism spectrum disorder, childhood apraxia of speech, stuttering, voice disorders, and feeding or swallowing challenges.

Services are available in clinic, school, home, and telepractice settings. Each child's therapy is tailored to their developmental level, cultural and linguistic background, and the goals of their family.

Our Approach
Therapy typically begins with a thorough evaluation that identifies strengths, areas of need, and priorities. Following the assessment, our SLPs create an individualized plan that may include:

  • One-on-one therapy sessions
  • Small group sessions
  • Caregiver coaching
  • Classroom consultation
  • Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies
  • Collaboration with other healthcare and educational professionals

Our pediatric speech therapy team often works closely with pediatricians, audiologists, ear, nose, and throat doctors, occupational and physical therapists, special educators, and psychologists to ensure your care plan is coordinated and complete.

The primary goal of pediatric speech therapy at TidalHealth is to help your child communicate and participate in daily routines at home, school, and in the community. We focus on equipping caregivers and teachers with practical strategies so progress continues beyond our sessions and carries over into everyday life.

What ages do pediatric speech therapists treat?
Our pediatric speech-language pathologists at TidalHealth work with children from infancy through adolescence. Early intervention for children from birth to age 3 and support for school-age children are both common, with plans tailored to each child's unique developmental needs.

When should I be concerned about my child's speech or language?
Consider reaching out to our team if your child:

  • Has limited babbling by 9 to 12 months
  • Uses few words by 15 to 18 months
  • Is difficult to understand for their age
  • Struggles to follow age-appropriate directions
  • Avoids talking or communicating
  • Shows sudden loss of language
  • Has feeding or swallowing difficulties

Your pediatrician and our specialists can help you decide if an evaluation is needed.

What happens during an evaluation?
One of our speech-language pathologists will:

  • Gather your child's developmental and medical history
  • Observe your child in play and daily activities
  • Use both standardized and informal measures to assess areas such as speech sounds, vocabulary, grammar, understanding, social communication, oral motor skills, and feeding or swallowing if needed

We review the results with your family and set goals that matter most to you and your child.

How long does therapy take and how often will my child attend?
The frequency and duration of therapy depend on your child's diagnosis, the severity of their needs, and your family's goals. Sessions often range from weekly to several times each week. Progress is typically checked every six to 12 weeks. Some children benefit from short, intensive therapy, while others may need support over a longer period or intermittently.

Will you involve my child's school or teachers?
Yes, collaboration with teachers and school staff is very important, especially when services relate to school performance. Our SLPs can share strategies for the classroom, participate in meetings for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and recommend necessary accommodations.

What can families do at home to help progress?
Family involvement makes a big difference. Our team will provide home activities, routines-based strategies, and coaching to help you use daily opportunities for communication, reading, play, and interaction. Short, frequent practice at home is more effective than long or infrequent drills.

Do you work with children who are bilingual or multilingual?
Yes. We provide culturally and linguistically responsive care, considering all of a child's languages and dialects. Our specialists may recommend bilingual evaluation, the use of interpreters, or strategies that fit your family's culture so that differences are not mistaken for disorders.

What about AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)?
For children with limited spoken language, our team can assess the need for low- or high-tech AAC solutions like picture systems, communication boards, or speech-generating devices. We offer training for caregivers and classroom staff and help include AAC in daily routines.

How do I pay for services?
Many families use private insurance, Medicaid, school-based programs, early intervention services, or pay directly. Our specialists can guide you through billing, authorizations, and point you to helpful community resources.

What outcomes can we expect?
Outcomes depend on your child's age, diagnosis, other conditions, and your involvement. Many children make important progress in speech clarity, language use, social communication, and feeding with early, consistent, and targeted support. Our team will set realistic, measurable goals and keep you updated as your child grows and learns.