May is Better Hearing and Speech Month

Audiology, Speech Pathology and Learning Services Program One of Country's Largest

Carolyn Dutton, learning specialist, MA, CA-LT,
and Sydney look for diagraphs, a term Sydney
recently learned, in a book together.

Snack time is a highly anticipated time for a group of four- and five-year-old children. It is equally anticipated for two speech-language pathologists who use this particular snack time as a lesson in sign language. These children are not enjoying their snacks on a playground or in class; they are in group therapy at the Audiology, Speech Pathology and Learning Services (ASL) clinic at The Children’s Hospital.

The Children’s Hospital has one of the largest and most clinically diverse ASL centers in the country with 14 audiologists including a board certified cochlear implant specialist, 65 regionally and nationally renowned speech-language pathologists, 11 learning disability specialists and 13 support staff. This cross-team collaborative approach is designed to meet the needs of patients and their families and to best utilize resources to provide better, more comprehensive care.

"Our program is unique in also having related professionals within our department, such as a social worker, deaf educator and family consultant who help us meet the needs of the whole family related to their child’s hearing, speech, language, feeding/swallowing or learning disability," said Kathy Boada, director, Audiology, Speech Pathology and Learning Services, Speech-Language Pathologist, M.A., CCC-SLP.

Better Care Closer to Home

The ASL program is in high demand and continues to grow its services. ASL championed our presence in the community two decades ago when it became one of our first programs to deliver services outside the main campus. In 2007 the Aurora satellite closed and was relocated to an expanded facility in Parker to further accommodate the needs of its growing patient population. ASL also added Saturday treatment hours, instituting flexible scheduling and expanded its specialty program scheduling options to all metro-area locations.

"We believe children and families are best served when care is convenient, close to home and delivered by Children’s experts," said Boada.