Three-year-old Ajay only had a vocabulary of about four words when he attended the Scottish Rite speech and language disorder clinic at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute for the first time almost two years ago.
Ajay was born without femur bones in his legs, the result of a rare genetic disorder called femoral facial syndrome that can complicate one’s ability to walk as well as speech development.
The “Rite Care” clinic is designed to increase the expressive communication abilities of preschool age children. Through songs, books, art and interaction at the Rite Care clinic, Ajay can now say well over 100 words.
“Before his words were limited, but now, he’ll surprise you. He’s really come a long way,” said his mother, Joy. She attributes his success to Korey Stading and Beth Hughes, who teach the 90-minute class held four times a week at MMI.
Some of the children in the clinic are silent because of disorders such as apraxia, a motor planning disorder. Others have more encompassing disabilities, such as Down syndrome, autism or cerebral palsy, all of which can cause speech difficulties. Those children use sign language and speech generating devices, programmed with picture buttons, that, when pressed, speak to respond.
Through the Rite Care clinic, parents have had opportunities to carry on conversations with their children for the first time. Some families wouldn’t be able to afford the speech services without the financial support of the Scottish Rite Masons, as insurance companies will not always cover the cost.
“Speech therapy is a financial burden on families, especially when it’s by the session and when they most likely have a child who has a disability with other expenses,” Stading said.
“God Bless the Scottish Rite Masons for supporting this awesome program,” Joy said.
Unintentionally, the speech sessions for the children have become therapy sessions for their mothers as well. The observation room behind the two-way mirror is where their support group meets. The conversations range from shopping to surgeries to swim lessons.
“Kids are OK; kids are strong,” Joy said. “Moms are not, but this helps make moms strong.”
To watch a short video about the Scottish Rite Masons “Rite Care” Speech and Language Disorders clinics, visit www.orientofnebraska.com
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through their commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources now exceeds $80 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,400 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 513 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.