Background
      In June of 2004, we opened the Elk River RiteCare Clinic to provide therapy to children with language-based disorders or delays.  We provide speech and language therapy to children ages 9 months to 9 years old suffering from a variety of issues resulting in language delays or disorders:

1.    ● Developmental Apraxia of Speech

2.    ● Autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Autism Society of Minnesota); Autism Society of America; Autism and PDD Support Network  

3.    ● Phonological Processing Disorders

4.    ● Cerebral Palsy (United Cerebral Palsy)

5.    ● Down Syndrome

6.    ● Hearing Impairment (Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing)

      Our students’ success stems from close communication between our Speech-Language Pathologists and families, as well as collaboration with other agencies including schools and private clinics.
      Our clinic features state-of-the-art technology, such as a computer therapy room for student usage, therapy rooms with video and audio technology and a parent observation room.  Clinic amenities include an indoor play area, a full kitchen for cooking and therapy activities, and a conference room for therapist/parent meetings.

Happenings
      The clinic served 91 children during our 2008-2009 fiscal year. Since July 2009 a total number of 52 children have been served in a combination of one-on-one and small group therapy. One-on-one speech therapy is a 1:1 ratio of therapist to child for approximately 45 minutes per week. Small group therapy is generally a 1:4 or 1:5 ratio of therapist to children for 45 minutes per week; these groups are generally made up of children awaiting our services but can also be used as additional therapy for one-on-one clients. Because we do not charge for services, there is always a waiting list for service. Currently there are 33 students on that waiting list.  We continue to look for creative ways to provide service to children awaiting one-on-one therapy.

  ● Small group therapy sessions have been very successful and some children have “graduated” before ever getting to one-on-one therapy.

  ● Summer group therapy sessions (“camps”) accommodate a larger number of kids throughout the summer. During the summer of 2008, 43 children came to “speech camp” for 2 hours per week for 6-8 weeks. Because of the length of sessions and variety of activities, summer group therapy requires approximately 2:7 therapist/student ratio.

  ● Our Toddler Talk training program

  ● We are in the process of setting up a joint venture with Shriner’s Hospital Minneapolis to service some of their clients needing speech therapy.

Community
      We continue to focus on building community contacts. During outreach weeks, we have met with other Speech/Language Pathologists in the hospitals, private practices and schools, to coordinate services with the students that we share.  We also meet with other care providers that our students might utilize including Occupational or Physical Therapists and Special Education teachers.  Our therapists are available to attend IEP meetings or do school observations for all children served.

Early Intervention Help
      It is critical to diagnose and treat children with communication disorders early in childhood.  Teamwork allows us to accomplish a lot for the children we serve. However the need is great.  Without continued volunteer and financial support we will not be able to provide the superior therapy that we are currently providing.  Together, we are doing great things for children who otherwise may not be able to communicate effectively with the world around them.  All of our successes wouldn’t be possible without the caring and dedicated Scottish Rite members, RiteCare Language Clinic Board members, clinic staff, volunteers, students, and their parents.

In addition, we would like to thank our other supporters, including: