Stacy and Amy on KC Live for Better Speech and Hearing Month
We are excited to share that Kansas City Speech Professionals’ own Stacy Cates and Amy Burns appeared on KC Live, the popular lifestyle show on KSHB 41, to help raise awareness during Better Speech and Hearing Month. The segment was a wonderful opportunity to bring important information about communication disorders and dyslexia to a wider audience here in the Kansas City community.
What We Talked About
During the segment, Stacy and Amy covered several key topics that are central to our practice and our mission:
Communication Disorders Are More Common Than You Think
Many people are surprised to learn just how prevalent communication disorders are. Speech sound disorders, language delays, stuttering, voice disorders, and literacy difficulties affect millions of children and adults across the country. Despite this, public awareness remains relatively low, and many families do not know where to turn for help or even that help is available.
Our goal on KC Live was to change that --- to let families know that if they have concerns about a child’s speech, language, or reading development, professional support exists and early intervention can make a tremendous difference.
Dyslexia Awareness
A significant portion of our conversation focused on dyslexia, which remains one of the most underdiagnosed and misunderstood learning differences. Key points we shared with viewers include:
- Dyslexia affects approximately 1 in 5 people
- It is neurobiological in origin and is not related to intelligence
- Early identification and intervention lead to significantly better outcomes
- Dyslexia can be identified and treated at any age, including in adults
- Structured literacy intervention, such as Orton-Gillingham based approaches, is the gold standard for treatment
The Role of Speech-Language Pathologists
We also took the opportunity to educate viewers about the broad scope of services that speech-language pathologists provide. Many people associate speech therapy only with helping children say their sounds correctly, but the profession encompasses so much more --- from language and literacy intervention to stroke recovery, voice therapy, cognitive-communication treatment, and beyond.
Why Media Appearances Matter
Appearing on a program like KC Live allows us to reach families who may not yet know that their child’s struggles have a name, a cause, and a solution. For every parent watching who recognized their child in our description of dyslexia, or who realized that their toddler’s speech development might benefit from professional evaluation, the segment served its purpose.
Better Speech and Hearing Month is about breaking down barriers --- barriers of awareness, of stigma, and of access. Media appearances are one powerful way to do that, and we are grateful to KSHB and the KC Live team for giving us the platform.
Our Commitment to the Community
At Kansas City Speech Professionals, community education is a core part of our mission. We believe that informed families make better decisions for their children, and we are committed to sharing our expertise beyond the walls of our clinic.
If you saw us on KC Live and have questions about speech, language, reading, or any of the topics we discussed, we would love to hear from you. Contact Kansas City Speech Professionals to schedule a consultation or to learn more about our services.