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Pediatric Otolaryngology

Golisano Children's Hospital / Pediatric Otolaryngology / Pediatric Speech Pathology

Pediatric Speech Pathology

Inpatient/Acute Care Services

Our speech-language pathologists have specialty training in working with pediatric patients and provide care as part of the interdisciplinary medical team. We provide the following speech services for inpatients at Golisano Children's Hospital:

  • Feeding and swallowing evaluations and treatment
  • Modified Barium Swallow Study/Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (MBSS/VFSS) or can be referred to as Pharyngogram within this organization
  • Communication (Speech and Language) and Cognitive (Cognitive-Linguistic) evaluations and treatment for acquired conditions and diagnosis (for patients currently admitted to the hospital; treatment services with extended length of services only)

Outpatient Services

**At this time, we do not accept referrals for pediatric speech/language/cognition services on an outpatient basis. Exceptions would include children referred for stroke or brain injury and voice or upper airway-related complaints (Voice or upper airway-related complaints)

For children under 3, parents can self-refer for early Intervention programs in most counties. Referrals may also be placed through your pediatrician’s office. For children age three and older, we refer you to your child’s school district for evaluation and services.

How Speech-Language Pathologists Are Involved in Evaluations

Speech-Language Pathologists evaluate and treat children who have feeding and swallowing difficulties as well as acquired communication and cognitive changes through a wide range of ages (birth to adolescence) and abilities.

We work closely with families and physicians to better understand feeding and swallowing difficulties or communication or cognitive changes. This may often involve additional follow up or closely working with other disciplines depending on the needs identified. These additional services may include collaboration with dieticians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, child life, respiratory therapists and various medical providers such as gastrointestinal specialists, developmental and behavior pediatric specialists, Ear Nose Throat Specialists, as well as Pulmonary Specialists.

We help to identify current skills that support safety and overall development.

Feeding and Swallowing Concerns

  • Delayed or difficulty in feeding and swallowing skills
  • Coughing, choking, and/or gagging with eating and drinking
  • History of aspiration or pneumonia or breathing issues related to feeding and swallowing
  • Reliance on tube feeds and unsure how to transition to eating and drinking safely
  • Difficulty with feeding and swallowing safety and efficiency
  • Difficulty with oral motor, chewing, and swallowing skills
  • Failure to advance textures and modalities
  • Regurgitation
  • Drooling
  • Weight loss or not gaining and growing as expected

Speech/Language/Cognitive Evaluations & Therapy

Our Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) are certified through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and are licensed by NYS. We have the specialty training and expertise in evaluating and treating swallowing and communication disorders.

Our Speech-Language Pathologists have specialty training in the anatomy and physiology of the upper airway, in speech and voice production and in tracheostomies and speaking valves. We work closely with the medical team to determine if and when a speaking valve may be appropriate to trial for an individual with a tracheostomy.

We assess acquired changes in speech including motor speech difficulties such as apraxia and dysarthria, as well as acquired language changes and language changes related to a disruption in cognitive/thinking processes or changes to cognitive/thinking skills.

Scheduling an Appointment

To schedule a feeding and swallowing evaluation, an instrumental swallowing test, or feeding and swallowing therapy, please call (585) 758-5730.

Before Your Child's Appointment

After you schedule your child’s appointment, please be sure to fill out any questionnaires that are sent to you in preparation of your appointment.

You may self-refer if you are having concerns with your child’s feeding and swallowing skills. You may also be guided to pursue an evaluation by your pediatrician or another medical provider. Some insurance companies require that you get a referral or a prescription from your child’s pediatrician prior to your visit

Coverage for your child’s evaluation is dependent upon your specific insurance plan’s coverage and benefits. You may need to call your insurance carrier to determine if anything is needed prior to the evaluation, such as a referral or prescription from your doctor.

Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time to check in. Please ensure you bring any paperwork or questionnaires sent to you prior to your appointment.

What to Expect at Your Child’s Evaluation

Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Evaluation in the Office/Telemed

  1. The Speech-Language Pathologist will discuss your feeding history, your current concerns, identify current food textures and liquids typically consumed as well as discuss your child's general feeding and swallowing concerns.
  2. The Speech-Language Pathologist will then observe a meal, snack, or feed to assess your child's skills, behaviors, and response to a variety of foods and liquids.
  3. At the end of this evaluation, the Speech-Language Pathologist will make recommendations for treatment and offer management options.

Modified Barium Swallow Study (Pharyngogram) in Radiology

For Inpatient:

  1. The Speech-Language Pathologist will meet with you to gather information regarding your feeding history, your current concerns, identify current food textures and liquids typically consumed as well as discuss your general feeding and swallowing concerns in your room during a bedside visit.
  2. You will then be scheduled in Radiology to take images (pictures) of your child’s swallow patterns through various textures and liquids.
  3. At the end of this evaluation, the Speech-Language Pathologist will make recommendations for treatment, offer management options, and provide education on the findings as appropriate.

Treatment may include:

  • Education on current abilities
  • Practice of new suggestions and techniques to support swallowing safety and development of skills.
  • Suggestions for “next steps” upon discharge from the hospital.

For Outpatient:

  1. Please park in the main parking garage at Strong Memorial Hospital and report to Pediatric Imaging located in the Golisano Children’s Hospital. Once in the Golisano Children’s Hospital, you will see a set of elevators to the left. Take the elevators to the Ground Floor and once off the elevator you will see Pediatric Imaging straight ahead.
  2. The Speech-Language Pathologist will meet with you to gather information regarding your feeding history, your current concerns, identify current food textures and liquids typically consumed as well as discuss your general feeding and swallowing concerns.
  3. You will then move to the Radiology room to take images (pictures) of your child’s swallowing patterns through various textures and liquids.
  4. At the end of this evaluation, the Speech-Language Pathologist will make recommendations for treatment and offer management options.

Treatment

Feeding and swallowing services are typically offered through the Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric (DBP) Clinic. Services may be completed in conjunction with other members of the DBP feeding clinic, or solely with the Speech-Language Pathologist.

Feeding and swallowing evaluations and therapies are individualized to each child and family based on their unique needs. Frequency and duration of services will vary based on the child’s needs and may range from a consultative visit or two, to more routine visits. Therapy visits may include meal observations, discussion, and parent training to target goals of maximizing feeding and swallowing skills in the context of overall goals of supporting development and appropriate nutrition. Concerns addressed may include maximizing feeding safety, increasing oral intake or advancing textures and foods accepted, diet modifications, and skill development.

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