Jun 04, 2025
Graham (9) and Magnum (4) raced down the hall of the Speech-Language-Haring Clinic to start the day. The excitement was palpable, and the trust between the boys and their graduate student therapists was evident. Their mother, Melissa, shared her journey:
When Graham was only 18 months old, Melissa noticed his speech had not only stopped progressing but had started regressing. After starting speech pathology at a separate clinic, they were advised to have Graham tested for autism. Soon after his diagnosis, COVID-19 hit, and therapy halted for some time. Graham would communicate with his parents through pointing and grunting, which often led to frustration and sadness. Eventually, Graham began therapy at the College of Health’s Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic where the consistency and support transformed his ability to communicate.
When Melissa’s other son, Magnum, started showing similar signs, she acted proactively. Following Magnum’s autism diagnosis, they began therapy at the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and witnessed rapid progress. From being non-verbal to learning and speaking colors and shapes, Magnum’s development was remarkable, even by the age of two.
A favorite aspect of the clinic is the graduate students who think outside the box and find fun ways to keep Melissa’s boys engaged. Each student’s unique perspective helps keep the kids engaged and provides different methods for them to learn how to communicate. In Melissa’s opinion, the clinic goes above and beyond, encompassing support beyond speech requirements. Compared to other clinics that seemed more focused on unrealistic goals and working with her children to “sit still,” the SLP clinic was a game-changer for Melissa and her boys.
Thanks to the resources offered by the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, Graham and Magnum have made remarkable strides in their communication skills and continue to do so today. Their intelligence and resilience continually amaze Melissa as they learn and grow.
We invite you to consider making a donation to the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic to support more patients like Graham and Magnum. Your generosity will support the clinic’s vital work, providing essential resources and support to families like Melissa’s. Each gift enables confident communication for patients like Graham and Magnum, making a profound impact that lasts a lifetime.