Speech Therapy – Community Collaboration

Parent Resources and Charities

  • TEIS speech therapists are well informed of local charities and resources to support our families. TEIS speech and language therapists network with agencies such as Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) and Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) and provide these resources to families.
  • We are happy to refer to organizations such as Wings for Vincent, Reagan’s Journey, Variety the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh, and The Free Store to name a few.

Daycares and Learning Centers

  • TEIS speech and language therapists are eager to support you and your child in any day care, community, or learning center. They build excellent relationships with the staff to partner with them to help meet your child’s needs.

Pediatricians and Specialists

  • TEIS speech and language therapists partner with pediatrician offices to bring continuity of care for your child. TEIS speech and language therapists provide pediatricians with documented communication throughout the child’s services. This supports the family in addressing any developmental concerns the family may have and informs the pediatrician of recommended referrals to specialty clinics.
  • TEIS speech and language therapists work closely with the outpatient Audiology departments. The longer a child goes with an undiagnosed hearing loss – the greater the impact on their development. TEIS speech and language therapists review each child’s medical history to assess hearing function and are educated on when to recommend a formal audiological evaluation. TEIS speech and language therapists are knowledgeable in working with children who have a hearing loss and are unaided, who wear hearing aids, and have received cochlear implants. TEIS speech and language therapists partner with local programs such as DePaul School for Hearing and Speech and The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf to ensure the child’s communication and hearing needs are met as the child transitions into preschool.
  • TEIS speech and language therapists connect with companies specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). TEIS speech and language therapists have expertise in supporting families in using a total communication approach that fits their child’s needs. TEIS speech and language therapists support families in the diagnostic and treatment process for obtaining a device. TEIS speech and language therapists are able to connect families with agencies that can trial and help provide the most appropriate device for a child’s communication needs. Some local agencies include: Reagan’s Journey, Achieva Family Trust, and PaTTAN Short Term Loan lending library. TEIS speech and language therapists partner with AAC representatives to perform device trials for families from companies such as Dynavox and Prentke Romich.
  • TEIS speech and language therapists partner with the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialists in Allegheny County and surrounding areas. Children birth – 3 years of age may be evaluated by ENT for the following: enlarged tonsils and adenoids, placement of ear tubes, and tongue/lip ties. TEIS speech and language therapists are educated in understanding proper oral motor skills, speech and language development, and age-appropriate voice and resonance. With their knowledge and expertise, TEIS speech and language therapists know when to refer families to ENT to help best meet the needs of the children we serve. TEIS speech and language therapists provide documented communication to ENT specialists ensuring continuity of care for the family and their child.
  • TEIS speech and language therapists partner with The Voice, Resonance, and Swallowing Center located at Children’s Hospital. TEIS speech and language therapists are trained to hear inconsistencies in a child’s voice and resonance when they speak. TEIS speech and language therapists educate the families on the qualities of their child’s speech and assist the family in connecting with The Voice, Resonance, and Swallowing Center located at Children’s Hospital.
  • TEIS speech and language therapists work with outpatient Aerodigestive/Airway clinics when a child’s swallowing or speech development are impacted by upper airway disorders. Children birth – 3 years of age may be seen by an airway clinic if they have airway or voice disorders, swallowing problems, sleep apnea, or acid reflux. TEIS speech and language therapists receive continuing education on evaluation and treatment with children who have a medical diagnosis or surgical interventions such as a tracheostomy that impact the child’s communication and swallowing. TEIS speech and language therapists are also educated on when to refer families to an airway clinic to help best meet the needs of the children we serve. TEIS speech and language therapists provide documented communication to specialists ensuring continuity of care for the family and their child
  • TEIS speech and language therapists work closely with the Cleft/Craniofacial Center. TEIS speech and language therapists receive continuing education that assist them in the evaluation and treatment of children born with a congenital/acquired condition that impacts the development of their speech/language, hearing, and feeding. TEIS speech and language therapists assist families in scheduling formal evaluations with the Cleft/Craniofacial team when they observe issues that are impacting a child’s speech/language development. TEIS speech and language therapists provide documented communication to specialists ensuring continuity of care for the family and their child.
  • TEIS speech and language therapists work with the Down Syndrome Center at Children’s Hospital. TEIS speech and language therapists receive in-services from staff at the Down Syndrome Center to remain up to date on current research and practices. TEIS speech and language therapists partner with the center to bring continuity of care for your child.
  • TEIS speech and language therapists partner with Apraxia-Kids, a national program that has its headquarters located here in Pittsburgh. TEIS speech and language therapists receive in-services through Apraxia-Kids and participate in continuing education on the most up to date research on evaluation and treatment methods in the area of Apraxia of Speech. TEIS speech and language therapists are skilled in identifying early signs of Apraxia and encourage families to connect with Apraxia Kids to support them in their future plans for therapy.
  • TEIS speech and language therapists connect with Oral Myofunctional specialists to be up to date with muscular and functional disorders of the face and mouth. TEIS speech and language therapists are educated in identifying issues that impact your child’s communication and swallowing development. TEIS speech and language therapists use a multi-disciplinary approach in treatment by referring the family to the necessary specialists. Other specialists apart from the TEIS team may include dentists and orthodontists.
  • TEIS speech and language therapists partner with outpatient speech and language clinics for the child’s supplemental therapy needs. TEIS speech and language therapist are educated on when to refer families to outpatient speech and language clinics to help best meet the needs of the children we serve. Children who need more intense therapy or may be transitioning out of the birth-0 program may benefit from continued services. Local outpatient clinics include but not limited to: Sensory Links, Center4Speech, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (Main, East, West, North), Duquesne University Speech-Language-Hearing clinic, and River Pediatric Therapies.

Do you have QUESTIONS about YOUR BABY’S development?

Contact TEIS Early Intervention Provider
412-271-8347
Or Text INFO to 412-543-8398