Background
Kate founded Chat Speech in 2020 to bring specialty care to the capital region. Chat Speech is the only private practice SLPs in the region with advanced training and experience in infant feeding. We assess symptoms and function to identify the underlying cause(s) of your baby’s feeding difficulties. Our comprehensive evaluation includes a structural oral exam, functional feeding assessment, oral reflex exam, and non-nutritive muscular assessment. If treatment is indicated, we use evidence-based techniques including neuromuscular re-education and oral sensory-motor therapy to re-pattern the feeding and swallowing mechanisms that may impede optimal feeding.Treatment plans are individualized based on the specific baby and family needs. Chat Speech also works closely with Lactaction Consultants, including our in-house expert, The Milk Mentor (Rebecca LaBombard), and chiropractors, including Dr.Whipple who is also located in the same office building. Additional details on Kate: She is a NY licensed and nationally certified Speech Language Pathologist. Kate also holds Qualified Orofacial Myologist (QOM) certification. In addition to countless hours of continuing education, she has completed TOTS training as well as the Infant Lingual Frenum Protocol training. She specializes in treating Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) across the lifespan, addressing speech, feeding and breathing through a functional, holistic approach. She has mentored many of the SLPs at her practice to also care for infants.
Specialties
Solid feeding and swallowing (gagging - poor chewing - choking - straw drinking - cup drinking - leakage - picky eating - refusal)
Stuttering/fluency concerns
Neurodivergence (e.g. ASD - ADHD)
Medically complex
Difficulty with transitions or routines
Genetic & birth conditions (e.g. Down syndrome - cerebral palsy)
Breastfeeding/bottle feeding difficulties (latching - dribbling - leakage - gagging - choking - coughing - clicking - weaning - aversion)
Oral Ties (tongue-tie - lip-tie - buccal-ties)
Feeding tube support and weaning
GI Issues (Colic - Spitting up - Reflux - GER - GERD - gas - constipation)
Oral-motor hypotonia (e.g. - weak jaw - open mouth posture)
Myofunctional disorders (mouth breathing - snoring - drooling)
Speech milestones
Sleep disordered breathing (snoring - sleep apnea)
Limited social interaction with peers
Selective mutism
Oral habits (e.g. pacifier use - thumb or digit sucking habits - blanket sucking)
Trauma-informed care needs
Other
Language milestones
Social communication
Prematurity
Delayed play skills (e.g. pretend - functional)
Difficulty with attention and engagement
Sensory or motor dysregulation
Education & Training
CCC-SLP, QOM
Insurance
Superbill for reimbursement
Other
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Out-of-network
Languages
English
Affirming Care
Neurodiversity Affirming
Trauma Informed
LGBTQIA+
Contact
Service Areas
1807 Western Ave
Albany, NY
Popular Courses
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