Speech & Language Therapy for Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
in West Bloomfield, MI
Every child deserves the opportunity to connect with others and express themselves with confidence. Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing may experience unique communication challenges, but with the right support, they can develop strong speech, language, and social skills.
At Gigi’s Kids Speech & Language Therapy, we help children and families navigate these challenges and ensure each child has access to the effective communication tools that fit their individual needs.
How We Meet the Needs of Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
At Gigi’s Kids, we tailor our approach to meet the unique needs of children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Our highly experienced speech-language pathologists help children develop the skills they need to communicate effectively, whether through spoken language, sign language, or a combination of both.
Our owner, Amanda Tompkins, worked in the Bloomfield Hills Schools Deaf and Hard of Hearing program for 15 years, where she developed basic communication skills in American Sign Language (ASL). This experience allows our team to better understand the diverse communication needs of children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and provide specialized support in speech and language development.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deafness and Hearing Loss
There are many myths about Deafness and hearing loss and how these conditions affect communication. Here are some common questions we get, along with the answers:
Won’t Deaf children automatically develop language skills once they receive hearing aids or cochlear implants?
Hearing technology can be a valuable tool, but it does not fully restore hearing the way glasses correct vision—and not every person who is Deaf wants to use it. Even with hearing aids or cochlear implants, children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing may still struggle to perceive certain speech sounds, distinguish words in noisy environments, or process spoken language naturally.
Speech and language therapy helps children learn to interpret the sounds they hear, develop clear speech, and build strong communication skills. It also supports listening comprehension, articulation, and social interaction to ensure they can engage meaningfully with others in a variety of settings.
Children who are Deaf can only communicate using Sign Language, right?
Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing can communicate in many different ways. While some rely solely on Sign Language, others use spoken language, hearing technology, or a combination of both.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing children can learn language and maintain age appropriate skills. With proper support through speech therapy, children can develop strong communication skills in the way that works best for them. It is very important for the families of children with hearing loss to work with a speech and language therapist that specializes in this area.
At what age should a child who is Deaf and Hard of Hearing start speech and language therapy?
The earlier, the better. Early intervention is crucial for children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing to develop strong speech and language skills. Therapy can begin as early as infancy to help build foundational communication skills and support language development.
Can children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing develop literacy skills?
Yes! Strong language skills, whether spoken or signed, support literacy development. Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing can learn to read and write effectively with the right strategies, such as Visual Phonics, a system of 56 gestures and printed symbols that represent English sounds and teach a concrete sound without the confusion of spelling.
The English alphabet contains 26 letters that are used for spelling. However, these letters do not directly correlate to speech production. Learning to read and pronounce words, given only the printed words, can be very difficult for Deaf and hard of hearing communicators. Often, the sound is very subtle and difficult to hear, even with hearing aids and cochlear implants.
For more information on Visual Phonics, please visit See the Sound.
What Our Families Are Saying
Meet Ali
Meet Addy
“My daughter Addy was born Deaf and has bilateral cochlear implants. She is now ten years old. She was at the ages of two and three when she received each of her implants. Due to the absence of language for such a long period of time, she struggled to comprehend receptively and articulate expressively. She gravitated towards Sign Language because she was so visual it was easier for her to comprehend.
As Addy developed her communication skills with Sign Language it was used as a gateway to oral language. I had a difficult time finding a speech therapist who had the appropriate skills for Addy’s needs.
A little over a year ago we found Amanda Tompkins and I have seen amazing growth in Addy. She incorporates Sign Language and visual phonics in her sessions. At times my daughter gets frustrated when she is unable to form certain words or hear certain sounds. Amanda is so patient with her and knows how to gently direct her and keep her motivated. She also has the great ability to calm her down when she is frustrated. Every day I hear Addy using her voice more and more, and her frustrations become less and less.
I’m so pleased with the progress Addy has made with Amanda thus far, and I am excited to see her excel even more.” –Leah
We love that she works with our daughter on a personal level
“My daughter Blair really enjoys working with Ms. Amanda! Amanda is engaging, patient, and flexible. She has a strong understanding of Blair’s hearing loss. We love that she comes to our home and works with Blair on a personal level. She incorporates speech into everyday play and makes it fun. Blair’s speech is improving with every visit!” –Meg
Amanda is great with my son
“My son has cochlear implants due to a profound hearing loss. Amanda is great with him. She is very patient and always comes to each appointment with many activities to engage my son. He looks forward to her weekly visits.” –Terry
Schedule an Evaluation for Your Child
If your child is Deaf and Hard of Hearing and you want to explore how speech and language therapy can support their communication development, we’re here to help. Call Gigi’s Kids Speech & Language Therapy today at (248) 735-8080 to schedule an evaluation and learn more about the best options for your child’s needs.