About Pam Drennen MS CCC-SLP

Pam Drennen MS CCC-SLP is the VP Director of Clinical Services Speech at Kidmunicate. Pam has a Bachelors and Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland. Pam provides evaluation and treatment for a variety of speech/language and communication disorders. She has experience working with children with hearing loss, autism, Down Syndrome, a cleft palate, developmental delays, Apraxia of speech, auditory processing disorders, fluency disorders, oral motor/feeding issues as well as children with augmentative/alternative needs. Pam is a member of the American Speech and Language Hearing Association.

Pros and Cons of Speech Therapy Settings

What are the pros and cons of speech therapy settings for my child (in home, at a clinic, in a hospital or at a university)? (Bonnie R, mom of 6 year old boy with an articulation disorder) First of all, keep in mind that the rapport between the speech language therapist and your child is the most important element whether it’s in your home, at a clinic or in a hospital or university setting. Secondly, the disorder that your child may have and the severity will also dictate your choice. Finally, convenience, cost and payment options will also likely influence your [...]

By |2017-03-30T10:16:19-04:00 |Blog|3 Comments

Speech Therapy Options Free and Paid

My 20 month old daughter seems to be behind in speaking compared to her 18 month old cousin. What should I do and if needed where should I look to for speech therapy options free and paid? (Megan P of three girls) First of all, language and speech development varies from child to child, so it’s never a good idea to compare your child with another to base concerns. Secondly, there is no age too young to start evaluating speech and language issues if the signs are there. Always remember, early intervention leads to the best long-term results. Finally, speech [...]

By |2017-10-18T17:03:33-04:00 |Blog|Comments Off on Speech Therapy Options Free and Paid

What? My son doesn’t have a stuttering problem?

Beth is a mom blessed with a beautiful 5 year old son, who has an abundance of energy. Her son was quick to walk and run. And he always does both at a fast rate. Beth's son speaks as fast as he runs and his cute little mouth cannot keep up with this words sometimes. This often makes him difficult to understand. Beth was concerned, so she started to do some research on stuttering. Beth learned that stuttering is quite common for children between ages 2 and 5. It’s part of the process of learning how to speak. She read [...]

By |2016-11-07T14:45:43-05:00 |Blog|Comments Off on What? My son doesn’t have a stuttering problem?

What is the percentage of kids with speech or language problems?

What is the percentage of kids with speech or language problems? (Question asked by Heather H, mom of a 3 year old boy) Heather recently took her son to the pediatrician for a routine check up. Prior to the visit, Heather suspected that her son's speech and language skills were behind his peer group. During the examination, she shared her concerns with the pediatrician. The pediatrician listened intently and went through a top line screening. After the evaluation, the pediatrician shared the mother's concerns and suggested that her son get evaluated by a speech language pathologist. Despite Heather's previous suspicions, she [...]

By |2016-11-07T14:45:43-05:00 |Blog|Comments Off on What is the percentage of kids with speech or language problems?

A Stuttering Man Wows American’s Got Talent

Stuttering can lead kids to avoid situations and might even keep them from pursuing their dreams. Frank Dimitri, who is now 74, has always wanted to be a singer, but lacked confidence to sing throughout his life because of he stutters. He recently found the courage to get on the stage of America's Got Talent. When he was finished singing Frank Sinatra's "I've got the world on a string.", he got a standing ovation. Stuttering, also referred to as stammering or disfluent speech, is a fluency disorder. To the point, stuttering is any interruption in the flow of speech. It [...]

By |2016-11-07T14:45:43-05:00 |Blog|Comments Off on A Stuttering Man Wows American’s Got Talent

An Inspiring Commencement Speech by a Student Who Stutters

Parker Mantell, who stutters, delivered an inspiring commencement speech in front of 17,000 of his fellow graduates at Indiana University. His message was simple, "Far too often, society has instilled and reinforced the idea that those of us with disabilities are to remain disabled and perhaps even incapable." He added, "Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will." Beautiful words from a man who has challenges with fluency. Mantell was no ordinary student. He interned for Congressman Eric Cantor, Senator Marco Rubio and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. During these internships, he did not avoid speaking roles, he embraced them. [...]

By |2016-11-07T14:45:43-05:00 |Blog|Comments Off on An Inspiring Commencement Speech by a Student Who Stutters

Learn the Early Signs of Speech and Language Disorders

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month. Did you know that about 8.5% of children suffer from speech and language disorders? So May is the perfect time for parents to learn how to recognize the early signs of speech and language disorders. To support the month, the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) has launched a TV, radio, print and digital media campaign to increase the awareness of communication disorders called Identify the Signs. It’s a fact, unlike many disabilities, some speech, language, and hearing disorders can be reversible and even preventable with early intervention and treatment. The biggest barrier [...]

By |2016-11-07T14:45:43-05:00 |Blog|Comments Off on Learn the Early Signs of Speech and Language Disorders

Tips to Protect Your Voice on World Voice Day

Today, April 16th, is World Voice Day so protect your voice. Learn more here. World Voice Day is a worldwide annual event that celebrates the wonder of voice. Here in Philadelphia the city is celebrating World Voice Day by lighting up the crown lights a top the PECO building with a flashing display The aim of The World Voice Day is to demonstrate the importance of the voice in our lives as a communication tool for both semantic and emotional communication, and is therefore relevant to auditory perception, psychology, neurology, cognition, linguistics and phonetics. Voice comes so naturally to [...]

By |2019-11-01T04:16:13-04:00 |Blog|Comments Off on Tips to Protect Your Voice on World Voice Day

Inspiration and Hope from a Mute Girl with Autism

We often say at Kidmunicate that communication is a gift. Some are born with it and some need a little lift. Well, in Carly's case many people were there to help lift her up in this inspirational story featured on ABC by John Stossel. Carly gives hope to all parents who deal with kids who have autism. For many parents of children with autism, the days are long and sometimes they wonder if all the work and therapy is worth the time, money and effort. Carly's dad admitted in this video that he had felt this way at one time. [...]

By |2015-06-01T16:56:10-04:00 |Blog|Comments Off on Inspiration and Hope from a Mute Girl with Autism

Five Year Old Uses American Sign Language to Steal the Show.

American Sign Language Sings Loudly at a Holiday Concert Claire Koch entertains with American Sign Language The first language of a five year old girl named Claire Koch is American Sign Language. She is not deaf, but her two parents are. During her school holiday concert, Claire surprised her parents and the entire assembly by signing the songs. She absolutely stole the show. The Kidmunication Point At Kidmunicate, we say that communication is a gift, some are born with it and some need a lift. As a pediatric speech pathology clinic, we typically see parents lifting the spirits [...]

By |2016-11-07T14:45:43-05:00 |Blog|Comments Off on Five Year Old Uses American Sign Language to Steal the Show.
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