What Is Speech-Language Pathology?
Speech-language pathology focuses on helping children develop the skills they need to communicate effectively, swallow safely and participate fully in home, school and community life. Our therapists evaluate a child’s speech, language, voice, cognitive-communication and swallowing abilities, and use evidence-based interventions tailored to each child’s unique needs. Services are available for both inpatients and outpatients, ensuring that children receive therapy in the setting most appropriate for their care.
Why Choose GCH Buffalo for Speech-Language Pathology?
Families choose GCH Buffalo because our team of licensed speech-language pathologists provides comprehensive, individualized care in a supportive, family-centered environment. Therapists collaborate closely with the child’s medical team, caregivers and educators to ensure a coordinated approach that addresses communication, swallowing and voice challenges. We provide interventions across a range of disorders and developmental needs, helping children achieve improved communication and functional independence.
The Care We Provide
Our speech-language pathologists provide a wide range of services to address communication and swallowing difficulties. These services include evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders, often using video-fluoroscopic swallow studies (also called modified barium swallow studies) when clinically indicated. We provide speech and language assessments, therapy for voice and velopharyngeal function including velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) and voice care, intervention for childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), augmentative and alternative communication strategies, and cognitive-communication evaluations and treatments.
Therapists also work with children who stutter and provide therapy techniques for cleft palate speech and related disorders. For children with tracheostomy or ventilator needs, we may incorporate Passy-Muir Valve training to improve voice and airflow.
Interventions are tailored to the individual and include a combination of therapeutic exercises, play-based activities, structured practice and caregiver coaching to ensure carryover across home, school and community settings.
Meet Your Child’s Care Team
The Speech Pathology Program is led by licensed and certified speech-language pathologists with specialized training in pediatric communication and swallowing disorders. Our team works collaboratively with physicians, occupational and physical therapists, educators and families to provide goal-directed, individualized care.
Resources for Families
Families are provided guidance and resources to support communication and swallowing at home and school. Recommended national organizations and educational materials include:
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), which provides professional guidance for audiologists, speech-language pathologists and families.
- Childhood Apraxia of Speech resources from CHOP and CASANA (Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America) to support children with CAS.
- The Clinician’s Guide to Treating Cleft Palate Speech and Therapy Techniques for Cleft Palate Speech and Related Disorders, providing strategies for cleft-related speech challenges.
- National Aphasia Association (NAA) for families of children and adults with aphasia.
- National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families, offering guidance on child development, social-emotional skills, school readiness and parenting strategies.
- National Stuttering Association (NSA) and The Stuttering Foundation for stuttering support and resources.
- The Voice Foundation, offering education and research on voice care.
- Signing Time, providing materials for families learning American Sign Language.
- Passy-Muir Valve, a device to help tracheostomy and ventilator patients improve voice and airflow.
Additional materials on developmental milestones, stuttering and speech-language strategies are also available to help families understand and support their child’s communication development.
Where Your Child Can Receive Care
Speech pathology services are available through the Robert Warner Center for Developmental Pediatrics and Rehabilitation at:
Golisano Children’s Buffalo Outpatient Center (Conventus)
2nd floor
1001 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
New intake only: (716) 323-6420
Fax: (716) 323-6678
Frequently Asked Questions
It helps children develop communication, voice, cognitive-communication and safe swallowing skills to support participation at home, school and in the community.
Children with speech and language delays, childhood apraxia of speech, voice disorders, stuttering, cleft palate or velopharyngeal insufficiency, swallowing disorders, cognitive-communication challenges or complex medical conditions may benefit.
A referral may be required depending on insurance coverage and your child’s care needs. Your pediatrician or healthcare provider can guide you on the process.
Speech-language pathologists collaborate with families, physicians and other therapy providers to develop an individualized care plan that addresses each child’s functional communication and swallowing goals.