Pediatric Speech Pathology

We are pleased to offer services for speech, language, and feeding delays through the Hearing and Speech Department at WFBMC. Our pediatric Speech-language pathologists are available for testing and treating children ranging in age from birth to 16 years old. Each member of the team has specialty areas. All hold national certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensure from the state of North Carolina. Referrals are accepted from parents, physician offices, behavioral health programs, and local school programs.  A physician order is required for all evaluations and treatment.

Evaluation

Appointments for testing are scheduled throughout the week in a variety of time slots. Work-ins can be considered in urgent situations. The following impairments can be addressed by therapists on our team:

• Speech difficulties or reduced clarity
• General language delays (trouble understanding or using language)
• Feeding or swallowing difficulties
• Changes in ability due to seizures or traumatic brain injury
• Stuttering
• Concerns about social use of language or pragmatic delays

Evaluation is available for Spanish-speaking families with help from a hospital interpreter. Our team also evaluates central auditory processing disorders (CAPD), augmentative communication needs, and cochlear implant candidates. These appointments are part of a team format with other professionals participating as well.

Therapy Services

When children need weekly therapy services, our team is able to schedule families in a variety of time slots every day of the week. We have some appointments available later in the afternoon (Monday-Thursday) for school-aged children. We do have attendance and discharge policies to help with quick scheduling and to make services available to as many families as possible.

Meet Our Team:

 

Shawna Pearce, M.A., CCC-SLP, Clinical Manager of Pediatric Speech Pathology

Shawna received her Masters degree in Communication Disorders from Appalachian State University. She joined the Hearing and Speech department in 2005. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech-Language Pathology, and is licensed by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology and the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. She is also a certified provider for Vital Stim NMES treatment. Shawna serves as the SLP on the Cochlear Implant team and the Central Auditory Processing Disorders team. Additional special interests include early childhood speech/articulation disorders, rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury, and early intervention for children with significant language delays.

Dacia Goldman, M.A., CCC-SLP

Dacia received her Masters degree in Communication Disorders from Appalachian State University. She joined the Hearing and Speech department in 2007. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech-Language Pathology, and is licensed by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology and the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. She is also a certified provider for Vital Stim NMES treatment. Dacia is the lead SLP for the Kids Eat Feeding program and she has special interests in the evaluation and treatment of pediatric feeding and swallowing.

Julia Johnoff, M.Ed., CCC-SLP

Julia received her Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Toledo and she joined the Hearing and Speech department in 2009. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech-Language Pathology and is licensed by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology. She is also a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. She is a certified provider for Vital Stim NMES treatment and has training in infant massage. Julia has special interest in the evaluation and treatment of pediatric feeding and swallowing.

Sarah E. Reid, M.A., CCC-SLP

Sarah received her Masters degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She joined the Hearing and Speech department at Baptist Hospital in 2008. She is a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, and is licensed by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology. Sarah's areas of specialty include the assessment and intervention for patients with cleft palate, as well as the assessment and intervention for patients involving augmentative and alternative communication. 

Tanya M. Simeone, M.A., CCC-SLP

Tanya received her Masters degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She joined the Pediatric Therapy Program in 2007. She holds certification from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and is licensed by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology. Tanya has special interests in pediatric dysphagia, as well as in the development of oral-motor and feeding skills within the NICU and medically-fragile neonate population.