Helping Brooklyn’s Children Find Their Voices

By Office of Communications & Marketing | Aug 27, 2026

For a child, eating a meal safely, asking for something they need, or telling a parent what hurts are important parts of daily life. When feeding, swallowing, speech, or language is difficult, it can affect a child’s health, learning, and ability to connect with others.

University Hospital at Downstate’s outpatient Speech-Language Pathology Program works with children from the neonatal period through young adulthood. Certified speech-language pathologists evaluate each child and provide care based on their specific needs.

Services include feeding and swallowing evaluations, individualized feeding therapy, oral motor skill development, treatment for speech sound disorders and language delays, and guidance for parents and caregivers.

These challenges may be related to prematurity, developmental delays, neurological conditions, structural differences, sensory concerns, or complex medical needs. Early evaluation can help families understand what their child is experiencing and determine what support may be needed.

The Downstate team works with families, pediatricians, specialists, and early-intervention professionals throughout treatment. Parents and caregivers also learn practical ways to help their children use new skills at home.

Progress looks different for every child. It may mean trying a new food, speaking more clearly, or finding the words to express a need. The goal is to help children participate more comfortably in everyday life.

If you know a family with concerns about a child’s feeding, swallowing, speech, or language development, please share this information with them. Connecting with the program early can help parents understand what their child is experiencing and find the appropriate support.

To request an evaluation or learn more, call 718-270-2049, email UHDOutpatientSLP@downstate.edu.

Tags: Pediatrics