Speech therapy clinic is growing

Many parents of young children complain about their kids’ constant questions or demands. The repeated refrain of “Why do I have to go to bed?” “I want another cookie!” or “It’s my turn!” can be wearing.

But for some parents, hearing those phrases would be a blessing.

Jon Copeland and his wife adopted their daughter Lily from China when she was barely a year old. Lily didn’t speak a word until she was almost 3. An evaluation revealed significant speech delays. That’s when the Copelands heard about the Spokane RiteCare Clinic, formerly the Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders.

A speech therapist worked with Lily at the clinic, and Copeland said, “We saw a frustrated, reserved child come out of her shell and just blossom.” Their daughter is 10 now. “She sings karaoke at Hill’s Resort,” Copeland said with a laugh. He currently serves on the board of the clinic and credits the therapists there for Lily’s success. “They work miracles,” he said.

The Scottish Rite Center opened in 1989 in the downtown Masonic Center. Funded primarily by the Scottish Rite, a Masonic organization, and private donors, the clinic provides assessment and treatment of speech and language disorders for children ages 2-7. All of the services are free of charge.

“The need for speech therapy has increased dramatically in our area,” said Michelle Gifford, clinic director. Currently three therapists see an average of 26 children each week, and there’s a growing waiting list.

One of the clinic’s therapists, Nikki Cole, said the reason for the need is clear. “There’s a gap in funding for services for 3- to 5-year-olds.”

Gifford agreed. She said younger children aren’t able to receive therapy through the school system, and often school-age kids need more intensive therapy than time allows at school.

Early treatment is vital for kids with speech delays. “Communication is our currency,” Gifford said. “Language is a very complex skill.” The impact on kids who struggle with speech disorders is significant. They can’t focus on academics or social skills if they constantly have to worry about communicating.

Children like 6-year-old Maggie McConaughey work hard each day just to be understood. The petite kindergartner with an engaging smile built a complex block tower recently in the clinic waiting room. As she worked, her blond ponytail swung from side to side.

She’s been diagnosed with ocular motor apraxia. The disorder is characterized by an inability to make rapid horizontal eye movements. Delayed speech development for kids with this condition is common. When introduced to a visitor, Maggie grinned and said, “Hi,” then quickly looked to the familiar face of Gifford.

“She’s slowly coming out of her fear of people not understanding her,” her father, Kyle, said. “She has to think about each word and work so much harder than any other kid.”

Speech therapist Cole likened Maggie’s struggles to trying to peck out a tune on a piano with two fingers while everyone else is playing a symphony.

Gifford and Maggie sat on the floor in Gifford’s office. They played with small plush figures and used toy buildings to construct a town. All the while Gifford asked questions, clearing enunciating each word, “What is it?”

Maggie’s irrepressible sense of humor sparkled even as she struggled to repeat words. When Gifford asked, “Is it a taco?” Maggie giggled and pointed to Gifford and said, “You’re… ta—-co!”

Across the hall, 4-year-old Jacob McIntyre worked on enunciating “s” and “z” sounds. He chatted with a visitor about his favorite Christmas gifts. When asked what the best part of speech school is, he grinned and said, “The treasure chest!” And at the end of his session he hurried to choose a toy from the chest.

Jacob’s mother, Liz, said since he’s been coming to RiteCare, Jacob’s confidence has grown immensely. “We could see his frustration and embarrassment when he wasn’t understood, but now he can order at restaurants by himself.” According to McIntyre, the fact that the clinic incorporates parental involvement has made all the difference.

RiteCare offers parent education classes free of charge. Those on the waiting list for services are given priority. “If we can get the education to the parents, the kids come in a lot more ready,” said Cole.

Tonya Pinney is one such parent. Her 4-year-old son, Marshall, receives therapy at RiteCare. She said she took the parent education class and learned ways to help her son at home. When Marshall goes to therapy his mom is there with him. “He got the ‘g’ sound!” she said. “It was my little Christmas miracle.” This holiday season was more enjoyable for them because Marshall learned to say Santa. “He made sure I saw every Santa, too,” Pinney said with a laugh.

Pinney’s insurance covers only 45 days of speech therapy each year. That’s simply not enough to help a child with significant speech delays. In addition, private insurance doesn’t cover parent education at all, making RiteCare unique in the services it provides.

The clinic would love to help more children and offer additional parental classes, but the need for more funding limits what they can do. “For 18 years, all our services have been offered to the community without the community investing in it,” said Gifford.

That’s about to change. “The board is looking at new ways of fundraising,” said Jon Copeland. Gifford added that they would welcome community partners and private donations.

Maggie McConaughey’s dad understands the value of RiteCare. As they prepared to leave the clinic Maggie talked about a recent sledding adventure. When asked, “Did you fall off the sled?” She shook her head and giggled, pointing at her father. “No,” she said. “Dad did!”

When it was time to say goodbye, instead of a handshake she wrapped her arms around a visitor and gave her a soft hug. While words may be difficult, Maggie still finds a way to express herself.

Her dad said that without RiteCare, “Maggie wouldn’t be where she is right now.”