Both children and adults with communication difficulties involving speech-language or hearing challenges can benefit from comprehensive clinical services at Boys Town National Research Hospital. These programs provide a variety of diagnostic and intervention services applicable to a range of ages and particular needs.
Speech-Language Therapy Services
Speech-language pathologists specialize in working with children and families to address a range of communication concerns, including speech delays, developmental language disorder and other communication challenges, such as autism, hearing loss, apraxia, voice, fluency and cleft lip and palate. Comprehensive multidisciplinary assessments specially designed to monitor children’s development during infancy, early childhood, elementary and adolescent years are available to help families establish short- and long-term priorities and educational goals for their children.
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Individualized speech-language therapy sessions are offered to infants, toddlers, children and adults. Therapy may include family members, caregivers and educational professionals. Services are available for individuals with normal hearing and for those with hearing loss.
- Assessment and diagnosis of delays in speech-language development through the use of both formal and informal measures are provided by certified speech-language pathologists.
- Speech and voice assessments are provided through the Cleft Palate Clinic. These evaluations address the special needs of children with craniofacial conditions.
Cochlear Implant Services
The
Cochlear Implant Center has served children and adults with hearing loss since 1991. The Center provides comprehensive clinical services to implant candidates and recipients, including support for families. The team’s mission is to support the option of cochlear implants for children and adults using an individualized, family-centered approach to maximize auditory development.
- Cochlear implant candidacy evaluations are provided by a team of specialists from the fields of medicine, audiology, speech-language pathology, counseling and deaf education.
- Cochlear implant surgery, inclusive of all three FDA-approved manufacturers (Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Americas and Med El) is available.
- Listening sessions are provided to promote auditory skill development following the fitting of hearing aids and/or cochlear implants.
- On-going cochlear implant services such as speech processor programming, assessment of speech perception abilities, evaluation of speech-language skills and monitoring of educational development are provided.
- Secure, real-time viewing of testing or therapy sessions via the internet is available to family members and school professionals.
- Information dissemination and educational presentations on a range of topics related to communication disorders and various treatment options are provided.
- Consultative services for school personnel providing educational or therapy services are available for children with communication delays.
Your Child is Unique. We Create a Treatment Approach Just for Your Family.
The Center for Childhood Deafness, Language and Learning serves children with hearing loss by conducting comprehensive evaluations through a team of professionals who have extensive experience working with children with speech-language disorders and children who are deaf or hard of hearing. These extensive assessments are designed to address hearing, health, communication, academic, psychological and behavioral concerns.
Because each case is unique, the team makeup is different for every student and is tailored to address individual needs. The goal of the multidisciplinary process is to provide the family and school system with developmental recommendations that address the child’s learning style, strengths and challenges. The referral process consists of a few simple steps:
- Referral: The family, school or outside agency refers the child to Boys Town National Research Hospital.
- Record Collection: The team coordinator collects all relevant records from the family, medical staff and education system.
- Scheduling: A family conference is scheduled. Evaluation results and recommendations are provided to the family and school district for consideration. School district representatives are welcome to attend the onsite conference or participate via distance technology.
Using the case summary and referral questions, the team works with the school system to determine the components of the assessment. Students are scheduled for three to four days of assessment. Evaluations may include: audiological testing, speech-language assessment, academic testing, counseling and psychological assessment. Immediately following the assessments, the team meets to discuss the results obtained from the various specialty disciplines.
Multi-Disciplinary Evaluations (MDT)
A team of specialists from a variety of disciplines provides comprehensive diagnostic services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. This team also evaluates children with normal hearing who have language and learning concerns. The multi-disciplinary team combines formal test results with naturalistic observations and diagnostic teaching to address the referral questions. Children referred typically have complicated needs in communication, language and/or learning. Prior to scheduling, extensive background records are collected and reviewed by the team. Evaluations are individualized, based on the referral questions and concerns.
The following professional disciplines may participate:
- Audiology
- Speech-language pathology
- Deaf and hard of hearing education
- Special education
- Psychology
- Counseling
- Pediatrics
- Otology
- Vestibular
- Ophthalmology
- Genetics
- Neurology
- Occupational/physical therapy
A comprehensive understanding of the child's needs is obtained from the various disciplinary specialists. School districts frequently contract for this service. Comprehensive reports and follow-up services are provided upon completion of the MDT process. For more information, please contact Terri Wolf at
(531) 355-5698 or
terri.wolf@boystown.org.
