No one but your family can understand what your child says. Or they aren’t reaching their developmental milestones. Or they’ve been diagnosed with autism. No matter what your child is struggling with, you might not have any idea where to turn next.
Parenthood is not for the faint of heart. We all wrestle with circumstances we’re not sure how to handle. But when your child has special needs, the challenges can sometimes seem unsurmountable. That’s where Kaufman Children’s Center in West Bloomfield comes in.
About Kaufman Children’s Center
Speech-language pathologist Nancy Kaufman opened Kaufman Children’s Center (“the KCC”) in the early ’90s, providing speech services with only an answering machine for support. In the years since, the KCC has expanded in both scope and size. It has become a local leader in innovative treatment programs.
In addition to a full speech and language team, the center includes occupational therapy and sensory integration services. The KCC was also one of the first providers in Michigan to offer applied behavior analysis (ABA) for children with autism spectrum disorders, a program that has flourished in the time since and necessitated the purchase of the building next door.
The center’s fun therapy rooms, happy group spaces, and amazing sensory gyms make kids light up. But, the staff provide the real magic. Nancy and her team work together to create specialized programs for each child, especially those requiring more than one service. This maximizes their ability to function at home, school, and in the community.
How The KCC Can Help
The KCC can help your child in a few different ways:
- Autism programs: The KCC offers applied behavior analysis (ABA) for kids up to age seven, featuring a continuum of available treatments as they develop. Options include one-on-one structured teaching, natural environment teaching, and an ABA classroom setting where kids can practice their skills as they prepare for school. Dedicated speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and occupational therapists (OTs) are on board to help support all of the child’s goals. Treatment is available in half or full days, at the center or in the home.
- Occupational and sensory-motor therapy: Therapists at the KCC help kids gain independence in all of their daily activities; everything from tying their shoes, to brushing their teeth, to riding a bike. They also focus on sensory-motor skills, cognitive abilities, and social interaction. The center’s state-of-the-art sensory gyms are both functional and tons of fun for kids.
- Speech and language therapy: The KCC is a leader in the early detection and treatment of speech and language disorders. Clinicians work one-on-one with children to help them become clear and confident communicators, with the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP) at the heart of their treatment approach.
- Special programs with Nancy Kaufman: While her center was growing, Nancy was making a name for herself as one of the world’s top experts in childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), a challenging disorder that is not understood by many professionals. Her K-SLP methods are now used by therapists worldwide. She has personally taught over 20,000 SLPs in workshops across the country!
Nancy’s reputation has made suburban Detroit an epicenter for speech success. She offers video consultations to guide parents living outside of southeastern Michigan. Thousands of families have traveled from other states and more than a dozen other countries for intensive speech programs at the KCC. Many have opted to return for longer sessions. A few whose children have shown great progress have actually moved to the area to maximize continued progress.
How to Get Started
Whether you’re interested in speech, occupational therapy, or autism services, you can start by visiting the KCC’s website at kidspeech.com and providing information that will help staff get you scheduled.
To begin speech and OT services, children are first assessed so Kaufman therapists can create a plan for ongoing treatment. Kids should have an official autism diagnosis before entering the ABA program. The KCC recommends connecting with Autism Alliance of Michigan for guidance on what is required by insurance providers and where to get the evaluation.
