Playing in the Special Kids Golf Tournament directly helps provide therapy for children with complex medical needs right here in the Greater Chattanooga, North Georgia and Cleveland areas.
Help us make sure no child has to wait on life changing therapy!
Being a CORF certifies that Special Kids is a medical facility that provides outpatient diagnostic, therapeutic, and restorative services at a single fixed location for the rehabilitation of injury, disability, or sickness. This care is commonly known as outpatient rehabilitation care. Referring physicians to Special Kids must draw up treatment plans and review them at least every 60 days.
To maintain our CORF certification, Special Kids is surveyed and reviewed on a regular basis:
Our therapy services are designed to support children across seven key areas of communication and developmental growth. We work on articulation and speech sound production, helping children pronounce sounds more clearly and accurately; addressing common issues like lisps or difficulty with specific consonants and vowels. In the area of expressive language, we focus on building a child’s ability to use words, phrases, and sentences to share thoughts, ideas, and feelings, while also strengthening grammar and vocabulary. Receptive language therapy supports how children understand spoken language, including following directions, answering questions, and grasping new concepts. We also address pragmatic or social communication, which teaches children how to use language appropriately in social situations; such as taking turns in conversation, staying on topic, and reading social cues like tone or body language. For children who experience fluency challenges like stuttering, therapy aims to promote smoother, more confident speech. In the area of voice, we help children improve pitch, volume, and vocal quality, especially when their voice sounds hoarse, strained, or breathy. Lastly, our feeding therapy (see our dedicated Feeding page) supports children with difficulties in chewing, swallowing, or using oral muscles effectively—focusing on safe, efficient eating through strengthening and coordination strategies.
Every child develops at their own pace, but certain signs may suggest your child could benefit from speech therapy. Early support can make a big difference. Here are some common indicators to watch for:
Speech Sound Concerns
Language Delays
Social Communication Difficulties
Stuttering or Fluency Issues
Voice Concerns
Feeding or Oral-Motor Challenges
Trust Your Gut – Early Help Matters
If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to ask questions. A speech-language pathologist can evaluate your child’s communication skills and determine if therapy is recommended. Early intervention can build confidence, reduce frustration, and unlock your child’s full potential.
Step 1: Referral
Special Kids is referral-based. When we receive a referral from your provider, that's when the process begins.
Step 2: Intake
The Patient Services Supervisor will call to set up an appointment for the initial evaluation with a therapist. The billing office will work to verify insurance and payment information.
Step 3: Evaluation
One of our therapists will conduct an evaluation with your child to see if therapy is recommended. They will determine how often your child should come for treatment, and then Special Kids will work with you to schedule your regular visits.
Social Communication