Speech

As children begin to talk, they may say certain sounds incorrectly. Each sound has an age of acquisition and normal, developmental errors in production that are expected to resolve without treatment. Children with speech sound disorders may continue to demonstrate difficulty with production despite age expectations or may demonstrate atypical patterns of production that warrant intervention.

Feeding

Children with feeding and swallowing disorders may present with a range of impairments. They may be picky eaters with limited variety of food in their diet, consume a smaller volume than would be expected, show poor growth, or have motor difficulty with the act of chewing and swallowing that compromises their safety while eating and drinking.

Language

Children with a language disorder may have a breakdown in expressive language, receptive language, and/or social language. Expressive language disorders include difficulty using or combining words to convey a message. Receptive language disorders involve a breakdown in understanding, such as inability to follow directions or answer questions. Social language involves knowing how to interact with others and participate in two-way communication. Autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder, is an example of a diagnosis in which there is often a breakdown in expressive, receptive, and social language.


ADLs

A child's “occupation” is to play, learn roles and routines in their activities of daily living (ADLs), and interact with their caregivers, family members and peers. Activities of daily living include daily routines such as self care (getting dressed, brushing teeth, etc.). In order to get to the point of participating in activities of daily living, children follow developmental patterns that support the skills for such tasks, such as crawling, sitting, walking, fine motor skills, and processing a variety of sensory information to interact with their environment.

Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills involve the smaller muscles of the body, such as the hands and fingers. Another important factor in the development of fine motor skills is vision. Vision and a child's fine motor skills work together to master every day activities such as writing, playing, dressing, utensil use, self-feeding, etc.

Gross Motor Skills

For various reasons, many children require additional assistance to meet their gross motor milestones including: rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, transitioning (moving tummy to sit, back to sit and pulling to stand), walking, running, jumping and riding a tricycle/bicycle. In physical therapy, a child's strength, flexibility, muscle tone, balance and coordination are assessed and addressed through various play activities. Additionally, a child may demonstrate gross motor impairments due to torticollis (neck tightness), as they are recovering from an orthopedic injury and from various neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions. Pediatric physical therapy addresses a child's impairments and activity limitations in order to help them meet age appropriate developmental milestones, improve functional mobility and enhance quality of life.


At Thrive, we have skilled clinicians ready to work on:

  • Apraxia of Speech
  • Articulation Deficits
  • Auditory Processing
  • Autism
  • Coordination
  • Breast and Bottle Feeding
  • Dysphagia (Eating/Drinking/Swallowing Difficulties)
  • Endurance Training
  • Executive Functioning/Cognitive-Communication
  • Expressive Language Disorder
  • Fine Motor Deficits
  • Food Selectivity/"Picky Eating"
  • Balance
  • Flexibility
  • Gross Motor Skills
  • Handwriting Skills
  • Oral Motor Skills
  • Plagiocephaly
  • Receptive Language Disorder
  • Reflex Integration
  • Self Care Skills
  • Sensory Processing
  • Social Skills
  • Strengthening
  • Torticollis
  • Vision Training
  • Gait training
  • Rehabilitation from an orthopedic injury
about image

Meghan VandeWater, MA, CCC-SLP, C/NDT

Owner

I am a certified speech-language pathologist through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed in the state of Michigan. I graduated with a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Western Michigan University in 2011. I have been specializing in pediatric speech, language, and feeding therapy since December 2012. I worked for Helen DeVos Children’s Rehabilitation Services from 2012 through early 2020. I work to create individualized treatment plans to teach speech, language and feeding skills in a naturalistic, positive, and motivational way for children. In 2015-2016, I participated in a year-long course in which I received certification in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT). I have a passion for working with children presenting with neurodevelopmental disorders, typically seen in children with cerebral palsy, premature birth, autism, and Down syndrome, among other diagnoses. In addition, I am skilled in working with children who need early intervention for expressive-receptive language, speech sound disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication.

When I am not attending to my caseload, I am home with my family. My husband, two daughters, two dogs, and I enjoy evenings at home, finding a nice trail to walk on in the community, or spending time with other family and friends. We enjoy traveling when able, and most often find ourselves traveling up north where I am originally from. Ever since I began working in pediatric speech-language therapy, I have had the dream of having a private practice. In 2020 it became possible for me to pursue this dream and I am so thankful to have the support of my family.

I am constantly seeking further education opportunities to best help children experiencing speech, language, and feeding difficulties. My continuing education experiences include Neurodevelopmental (NDT) certification, NDT Baby Treatment, complex feeding disorders, handling and treatment of the rib cage, LAMP Words for Life, Beckman Oral Motor, Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol, and breathing courses by Mary Massery. I have also self-studied or taken short courses in DIR/Floortime and Lori Overland’s Sensory-Motor Approach to Feeding.


about image

Aimee Heiniger, MS,
CCC-SLP

I'm a speech-language pathologist certified through the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed in the state of Michigan. I graduated with my Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Grand Valley State University in 2019. I aim to create play-based, functional treatment sessions for each child and family. My clinical experience includes work with the pediatric population in outpatient and home settings. I have experience working with childhood apraxia of speech; autism spectrum disorder; down syndrome; speech sound disorders; augmentative & alternative communication. I have a passion for early intervention and working alongside families and caregivers. My continuing education experience includes courses in augmentative & alternative communication (LAMP Words for Life); autism spectrum disorder; childhood apraxia of speech; and articulation/phonological disorders.

When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and son, getting outside, and reading.


about image

Dalila Hartman, MS, CCC-SLP, ASDCS

Hablo español,
I am a certified speech-language pathologist through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, an Autism Spectrum Disorder clinical specialist, and am licensed in the state of Michigan. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience from Hope College (class of 2017) and a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Grand Valley State University (class of 2019). I received ASDCS certification in 2023 following completion of intensive continuing education courses specific to autism and obtaining a minimum of 100 clinical contact hours with clients with ASD. I have also completed continuing education courses in pediatric feeding disorders, auditory processing disorder, and gestalt language processing. Additionally, I am excited to take my first course in NDT in the Spring of 2024!

I have been working at Thrive since 2021 and have experience working with children with ASD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, childhood apraxia of speech, auditory processing disorder, ADHD, feeding difficulties, g-tube dependance, and a variety of other genetic and medically-complex diagnoses. I am passionate about working alongside families to progress their child's feeding skills and speech/ language skills to be able to communicate and find their voices in the day-to-day activities and/ or safely and joyfully eat a meal with their families. It is important to me to create positive, play-based therapy sessions and to work closely with parents, caregivers and anyone else on the child's care team to ensure we are addressing all of the child's needs to reach their goals!

In my free time, I am a part of a small group and book club. I also love to travel (usually places sunnier and warmer than West Michigan) and spend time with my husband, our rescue dog and our family and friends!


about image

Nicole Roubos, MS, CCC-SLP

I'm a certified speech-language pathologist through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed in the state of Michigan. In 2019, I graduated with a Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Grand Valley State University. My clinical experience is in pediatrics working with a variety of disorders such as, Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Apraxia of speech, ADHD, and more. Prior to joining Thrive in Spring 2023, I worked in a variety of school environments that provided me with training and skills in behavior management, Social Thinking Curriculum, and Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, to name a few.

As a mom of a 3-year-old boy, I'm extremely aware of the effort that goes into raising a young child, making me motivated to help children and families build stronger relationships through communication. My goal is to provide individualized, child-led therapy that is highly motivating for children through play. I am passionate about helping any child working on: articulation / speech sound production, augmentative and alternative communication, expressive-receptive language, and fluency. Currently, I'm taking continuing education courses in Autism and Gestalt Language Processing. I have also taken short self-studied courses in pediatric feeding and oral language comprehension and expression. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and son as well as visiting my family in Traverse City. I love to swim, boat, and have spontaneous dance parties in the living room!


about image

Mackenzie Galbreath, MA, CCC-SLP

Hello! I am a speech-language pathologist certified through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, holding licenses in the states of Michigan, Colorado, and Alaska. I attended undergrad at Western Michigan University (fun fact - I minored in Peace Corps Health Preparatory, and would love to join one day!) and completed my Master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2021 at Michigan State University. My professional focus has centered around pediatrics in various settings, including outpatient, in-home, and schools. I am dedicated to collaborating closely with parents to facilitate communication and foster connection through individualized, engaging, child-led therapy. I love working with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and have experience working with children with a variety of strengths and diagnoses, including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, receptive/expressive language disorders, fluency, and motor speech disorders.

I have continued to improve my skills through continuing education courses, such as “AAC for Gestalt-Language Processors” through Meaningful Speech as a NLA (Natural Language Acquisition) trained clinician, as well as introductory courses in DIR Floortime and Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC). Additionally, I am expanding my skills for feeding/swallowing through self-study/introductory courses in Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) and Lori Overland's Sensory-Motor Feeding Approach.

Outside of work, I enjoy being outside with my husband and our Aussie - Nova, reading, camping, playing soccer, and traveling. I am looking forward to improving my Spanish and learning more about Neuro-developmental treatment (NDT) in 2024.


about image

Erin Swartz, PT, DPT, PCS

I am a licensed physical therapist in the state of Michigan as well as a Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS). I graduated with bachelor's degrees in Exercise Science and Psychology from Hope College in 2013 and with my Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences in 2017. I have worked with the pediatric population in the outpatient setting at Mercy Rehabilitation Center through Mercy Health in Muskegon (2017-2020) as well as at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Zeeland (2020-2022). While at Helen DeVos, I also worked as part of a comprehensive care team in both the Spina Bifida and Cerebral Palsy specialty clinics in Grand Rapids. I work to create individualized treatment plans to help each child achieve gross motor milestones and functional mobility goals to enhance quality of life and participation in life activities. I am passionate about partnering with families/caregivers and helping each child achieve and exceed their mobility goals. I have experience working with children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, autism, torticollis and plagiocephaly, traumatic brain injury, genetic disorders including Rett syndrome, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, gross motor impairment, and toe walking among other pediatric diagnoses. My continuing education experience includes NDT handling techniques, Spina Bifida courses, courses on the Development of Gait in children as well as Gait Analysis and numerous orthotics courses. I am interested in pursuing my NDT certification, a certification in Kinesiotaping and completing my serial casting training.

While I am not working, I enjoy spending my free time swimming, running, biking, teaching swim lessons, going on walks or playing tennis with my husband, reading, going to the beach, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.


Emily Severn, OTR/L

Bio coming soon.


Caroline Markvluwer, OTD, OTR/L

Bio coming soon.

Group Therapy

Thrive offers recurring social and feeding groups to target skills in a peer-motivated setting. Each group will be held for 6 consecutive sessions on Mondays from 5:15pm-6:15pm with our skilled speech and occupational therapists. Children should be able to follow simple directions and separate from caregivers. Groups are not covered by insurance and will be an out-of-pocket expense.

Social Group

This group is for children 4-6 years old and will target basic social skills including conversational speech, turn-taking, joint play, personal boundaries, and emotional awareness in a fun and peer-driven environment. Registration is open now!

Sign Up Now

Feeding Group

This group is for children 4-5 and will target acceptance of new foods, as well as, willingness to try new foods in a peer setting. This group would be beneficial for children who have a limited number of foods (less than 10) that they consistently eat. Registration is open now!

Sign Up Now

Testimonials

Sharing what our clients in West Michigan have to say...

We are so thankful for [speech therapist] and the time and effort she has put into Crew. He is a different child now that he’s learning how to communicate with us.

testimonial icon

Our son had incredible progress with speech and feeding therapy in one years time. [The speech therapist] was so patient, never pushed past the limit of the child, kind and gentle. She also equipped me as a parent to learn how to effectively manage things at home and provided ideas to help see improvement.

testimonial icon

With [speech therapist] he was able to overcome food aversions, become more efficient with chewing and swallowing, increase his volume intake, speak very clearly so anyone can understand him, and most importantly he is now 100% oral fed rather than tube fed after 2 years.

testimonial icon

[The speech therapist’s] knowledge and friendly demeanor made therapy fun and highly effective. She was an invaluable resource for us as parents, providing the tools and support we needed to help Connor at home.

testimonial icon

[The speech therapist] quickly formed a trusting relationship with [our medically complex four year old son]. Within one month of working with [the speech therapist], he was babbling more than ever and he was drooling much less! My son doesn’t speak yet, but [the speech therapist] is working with him on all aspects of communication and accepts any form of communication that he uses. The big ones that my son is using right now are: sign language, his communication device with LAMP WFL, and making sounds when requesting something he wants. We’ve seen improvements in all areas since working with [speech therapist].

testimonial icon

Insurance

Thrive accepts BCBS, BCN, Cigna, Children's Special Healthcare Services (CSHCS), Molina Medicaid, Meridian Medicaid, Priority Health, Priority Health Medicaid, Michigan Medicaid, Aetna, UHC and TriCare (as a non-network provider).


Insurance coverage with speech-language therapy is not guaranteed as insurance companies will often determine that developmentally-based deficits are not medically necessary. Thrive will provide an estimate of coverage and out of pocket costs but it is the client/family's responsibility to know their insurance coverage and pay for the services not covered by the insurance plan.


Other payment options include private pay or receipt of a superbill to submit for reimbursement under out-of-network coverage.

Resources

Click on a link below to learn more about developmental milestones in each topic area.

teacher image

Speech

Typically developing children use patterns of speech production to simplify their speech. Each individual speech sound has a researched age of acquisition.

Speech Sounds Speech Patterns
teacher image

Language

Just as in speech sound acquisition, there are different skills in language expression and comprehension that are acquired as a child grows.

Language Checklist
teacher image

Play and Social-Emotional

Play helps teach children social rules, develop joint attention and engagement, problem solve, and better process emotions.

Play Checklist Social Checklist
teacher image

Feeding

Feeding involves a variety of sensory experiences with new tastes and textures, and requires intact oral motor skills to safely handle eating and drinking.

Feeding Checklist
teacher image

Self-care

As children grow, they become more independent and proficient in taking care of themselves. Becoming independent occurs through a typical progression of self-care skills.

Self-care
teacher image

Sensory and Motor Skills

Children learn to process environmental input to navigate daily life. They also refine muscle control related to gross motor skills and fine motor skills.

Sensory Skills Motor Skills

Contact

Please call or email us to discuss your concerns and determine the next steps.

A physician referral and a copy of your insurance card are required to schedule an initial evaluation.

  • Fax

    1-616-253-6061