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412-692-5325
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
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Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-Language Pathology

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh provides comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and consultation for children with speech, language, and communication issues, or swallowing and feeding disorders.

For more information, please call our department at 412-692-5757.

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What Is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy offers specialized treatment for children with speech and language difficulties that impact their ability to communicate, understand, interact, and learn.

What conditions do you treat?

Pediatric speech therapists at UPMC assess and provide treatment services for children with:

  • Apraxia of speech and other motor speech disorders.
  • Autism spectrum disorders.
  • Cleft palate and other structural disorders.
  • Developmental delays related to speech or language.
  • Feeding and swallowing issues.
  • Neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, brain tumor, or traumatic brain injury.
  • Orofacial myofunctional disorders.
  • Speech and language disorders, such as hearing loss, stuttering, and voice issues.
  • Vocal cord dysfunction.

Who can benefit from speech therapy?

Speech therapy can help children whose speech or language difficulties affect their ability to communicate, understand, interact, and learn.

What Speech Therapy Services Do You Offer?

Our pediatric speech-language pathologists work with each child and family to develop a unique program that meets their needs. Your child’s plan may include:

  • Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
  • Cochlear implant and hearing aid support.
  • Communication skill development.
  • Language processing, including Gestalt language processing.
  • Memory and recall strategies.
  • Oral-motor and swallowing skill development.
  • Social and receptive language development.

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology is recognized as one of the most outstanding pediatric facilities in the nation. UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is accredited by The Joint Commission.

What Can I Expect at the Department of Speech-Language Pathology?

During the first appointment, you can expect your child's speech language pathologist to take a full health history. They will observe and speak with your child and discuss their current abilities and limitations with you.

They will then begin building a treatment plan that meets your child's needs and goals. Your child will then have regular visits to work toward their goals.

What is a speech-language pathologist or speech therapist?

Speech therapists are health professionals who help to develop or strengthen articulation and pronunciation, comprehension, and social engagement. They use augmentative and alternative communication when necessary.

Do I Need a Referral to Speech-Language Pathology?

It depends on how you plan to pay. We accept self-referrals. However, billing insurance companies require a physician’s referral and prescription.

Authorization from the insurance provider and primary care physician is often required, especially for those enrolled in managed care insurance plans. We must receive all necessary referral, prescription, and authorization forms before the visit.