Facial Reanimation

Some children have difficulty using their facial muscles due to injury or another disorder. Facial paralysis and weakness can affect some children's ability to express themselves. If your child is unable to use their facial muscles to eat, speak, or show emotions, we can help.

Our team has specialized training in facial reanimation to help your child's smile, eye movement, speech, and feeding challenges. In addition, we can work closely with your child's physician team for the best possible outcome to improve your child's ability to express themselves.

Evidence-based care

When you bring your child to Cook Children's Speech Therapy, you are choosing a team that uses the most up-to-date diagnostics and treatments for facial reanimation. The care we provide our patients and families is based on proven data, patient experience, and medical expertise.

Family-centered care

We know that it affects the whole family when a child's facial movement interferes with day-to-day activities. Our speech-language pathologists will work with you and your child to develop a treatment plan while keeping your family's needs in mind. We include your family in every part of your child's therapy – from evaluation to discharge. That means you can help your child meet their goals with confidence.

What we treat

Bell's palsy
Guillain-Barre syndrome
Moebius syndrome
Facial asymmetry
Injury to Face
Feeding challenges due to facial weakness

What to expect

At Cook Children's, we know that therapy is a big commitment for you and your family. That is why we are committed to getting your child and family back to everyday life as quickly as possible.

Hands-on approach. Our goal at Cook Children's is to teach you and your family how to use therapy techniques to help your child meet their goals. Our speech-language pathologists will involve you and other caregivers in each session so you can learn how to help your child.

Episodic care. From the very beginning, we will work with you to develop a treatment plan that best fits the needs of your child and family. As your child's needs change, our therapists will adjust the treatment plan.

Teletherapy

If your child is unable to come into the clinic for treatment, speech therapy can also be provided through teletherapy. Teletherapy sessions are usually once or twice a week, for an hour or less. It's important to note that evaluations and re-evaluations can't be completed through teletherapy. Your insurance may or may not cover teletherapy services.