Kymberly Barnard, M.S., C.C.C., S.L.P., speech therapist on the staff of Saint Anthony's Health Center, works with children from birth to 18 years old at Saint Anthony's Wellness Center, located in Alton Square Mall. Speech-related problems are often a result of afflictions such as neurological impairment, cerebral palsy, autism, Down's Syndrome, closed head injury, premature birth and hearing impairment. Kymberly will utilize language-stimulating materials such as books, pictures, letters, cards and toys to better reach the child. They get bored and distracted, and you have to find a way to keep them going. So I'll interview the parents to find out what the child really likes.
Many parents even sit in on the sessions and help out.
And parental involvement does not end with the session. We'll recommend resources they can use and things they can do at home. That's important, because you can't build a child's language if they're just getting it here. Kymberly works closely with the child's physician and, when applicable, any school-based program to provide the best treatment available. Collaborative efforts from Saint Anthony's physical, occupational and speech therapists occur daily to help provide a comprehensive rehabilitative program for the child.