At Nemours, our pediatric speech and language therapy programs treat children with hearing impairment, cochlear implants, and birth defects such as cleft lip and palate. Also, we work with children with other general speech and language disorders or delays. At home, we work with you, the parents, to carry over your child's newly learned skills for quicker, longer-lasting results.
A speech disorder refers to a problem with the actual production of sounds, whereas a language disorder refers to a difficulty understanding or putting words together to communicate ideas.
Speech therapy programs also work with children who have other general speech and language disorders or delays, including:
- articulation disorders, which are difficulties producing sounds in syllables or saying words incorrectly to the point that other people can't understand what's being said
- fluency disorders, which include problems such as stuttering
- resonance or voice disorders, which include problems with the pitch, volume, or quality of the voice that distract listeners from what's being said
- dysphagia (swallowing disorders) or other oral feeding difficulties relating to weak oral muscles
- receptive language disorders, which refer to difficulties understanding or processing language
- expressive language disorders, which include difficulty putting words together, limited vocabulary, or inability to use language in a socially appropriate way (pragmatic language skills)
- auditory neuropathy
Speech therapists can facilitate sign language development as a means of communication in children who are not verbal due to developmental delay or hearing loss. They also offer coping and compensatory strategies for children with auditory processing disorders.
Jacksonville
Nemours Children's Clinic, Jacksonville
807 Children’s Way
Jacksonville, FL 32207
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Phone: (904) 697-3600
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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- photo ID
- medical and pharmacy insurance cards
- preferred pharmacy name and phone number
- names and dosage of all medications, including over-the-counter medication, your child is currently taking
- guardianship and custody papers, if a legal guardian rather than a parent accompanies your child
New Patients
Bring these forms for your first appointment:
- Authorization for Treatment and Release of Information (PDF)
- Assignment of Benefits (PDF)
- Notice of Limited Liability (PDF)
Returning Patients
- Patient Presents without Legal Guardian (PDF)
Note: A parent or legal guardian must be with a child for a first visit.
New Patient Forms
- Authorization for Treatment and Release of Information (PDF)
- Assignment of Benefits (PDF)
- Notice of Limited Liability (PDF)
Returning Patient Forms
- Patient Presents without Legal Guardian (PDF)
Note: A parent or legal guardian must be with a child for a first visit.
Resources for Patients & Families
- Insurance We Accept: See accepted insurance, listed by location
- Pay Your Bill: Use online bill pay or send by mail
- Financial Assistance: Help with your child's health care expenses
- MyNemours: Access your child’s medical record online
At Nemours Children’s Clinic, Jacksonville, our speech language pathology team provides evaluation and treatment for children with hearing loss, communication, or feeding disorders. We believe that early intervention can help us better determine your child’s needs and create a personalized treatment plan. Children younger than 3-years-old who are enrolled in therapy early in their development often have improved outcomes.
Signs that Your Child May Need Speech or Language Intervention
You should consider having an evaluation if your child is:
- not saying any words by one year of age
- not putting words together by 2 years of age
- hard to understand, repeats words or seems to stutter
- having trouble following directions or thinking of words
Expert Speech and Language Care For Your Child
Nemours speech language pathologists are experts in the study of human communications and each hold at least a master's degree and state certification/licensure in the field, as well as a certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Just as importantly, we also know kids: how to work with them, encourage their cooperation, and make learning new skills fun.
Parents Play an Important Part in Therapy
As a parent, you’re encouraged to participate in your child’s therapy, and will often be given at-home stimulation activities to ensure continued progress and carry-over of newly learned skills. In fact, kids whose parents are involved in their therapy are typically the ones who experience the quickest and most lasting results.
Providing Specialized Speech and Language Services for Children
Our speech language therapists specialize in the areas of hearing loss, cochlear implants, and birth defects such as cleft and craniofacial anomalies. We also work with children who have other general speech and language disorders or delays.
Some of our services include:
VitalStim® therapy is a safe and effective treatment for children with difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia. VitalStim® therapy is a non-invasive, external electrical stimulation therapy. It is approved by the FDA and is backed by comprehensive clinical data. VitalStim® is used while simultaneously working with the patient on swallowing exercises.
Auditory oral therapy helps children who are deaf or hard of hearing develop spoken language and literacy primarily through listening. Our therapists focus on education, guidance, advocacy, and family support. They also work on the rigorous application of techniques, strategies, and procedures that promote optimal acquisition of spoken language through listening by newborns, infants, toddlers, and children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Auditory oral therapy guides families in helping their children develop spoken language through listening and coach them in advocating their children’s inclusion in the mainstream school. Ultimately, parents gain confidence that their children will have access to the full range of educational, social, and vocational choices in life (adapted from the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing).
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI) occurs when the soft palate muscle in roof of the mouth (velopharyngeal sphincter) fails to close off airflow during speech, allowing air to escape through the nose instead of the mouth. This can cause a resonance disorder or “nasal” speech. In our VPI Clinic, ENT doctors and speech therapists use state-of-the-art voice and swallowing equipment to evaluate and treat children with VPI. Treatment may include speech therapy, surgical correction, or both. If surgery is needed, speech therapy is usually required after the procedure to help your child learn how to correctly produce sounds.
Types of Speech and Language Disorders We Treat
- Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and articulation disorders, which are difficulties producing sounds in syllables or saying words correctly to the point that other people can't understand what's being said
- fluency disorders, which includes problems such as stuttering
- resonance or voice disorders, which include problems with the pitch, volume, or quality of the voice that distract listeners from what's being said
- dysphagia (swallowing disorders) or other oral feeding difficulties relating to weak oral muscles
- behavioral feeding challenges, including picky eaters
- receptive language disorders, which refers to difficulties understanding or processing language
- expressive language disorders, which include difficulty putting words together, limited vocabulary, or inability to use language in a socially appropriate way (pragmatic language skills)
- auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder
In addition, our therapists facilitate sign language development in children who are not verbal due to developmental delay or hearing loss, so that they can learn how to communicate. We also offer coping and compensatory strategies for children with auditory processing disorders.
All of Your Child's Team Members Under One Child-Friendly Roof
Our therapists generally see children individually in a kid-friendly setting in our clinic where your child will not be distracted and we can conduct accurate assessments. These assessments are often done in collaboration with specialists from various clinical areas, such as otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat), Audiology and Neurology, to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Through this multi-disciplinary approach, our speech language pathologists have the resources to address the communication needs of newborns to high school-aged children. And with all our experts under one roof, your child can often see multiple specialists in one visit. You can also schedule appointments at Nemours Children’s Clinic, Nemours Children’s Clinic Jacksonville South or Nemours Children’s Clinic, Orange Park.
Nemours is a Center of Excellence for Otolaryngology in the Southeast
Speech Language Pathology Services are provided through the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences, a recognized leader in providing state-of-the-art ENT programs:
- cochlear implantation and auditory rehabilitation
- craniofacial plastic surgery, including cleft lip and cleft palate repair, rhinoplasty (nose) and otoplasty (ear)
- rhinology and sinus disease center
- balance and vestibular disorders lab
