“Big things come in small packages” is a phrase that comes to mind when three-year-old
Sloane Rhoades, of Wilmington, enters the room. She may be small due to her disability but she has a big
spirit and a bigger voice thanks to Easterseals speech and feeding therapy services.
“Sloane has come a long way. Easterseals has done so much to help her. I wouldn’t have known what to do
without them,” Sloane’s mom, Leanne Matikonis, says. “Sloane gets stronger every day. She is tiny but
amazing!”

When Sloane was born at only three pounds, Leanne and her husband Brandon Rhoades were most
concerned about her gaining weight. Easterseals feeding therapy helped the family navigate what was best
for Sloane and continue to help in this area as she is introduced to new foods.
“Feeding was definitely the focus at the beginning because I was very anxious about her gaining weight.
Getting her to eat anything by mouth was a success,” Leanne says. “The therapists aren’t just here for her.
They are here for me too.”

May is Better Hearing and Speech month, which seeks to create awareness of communication disorders and
the importance of treatment to improve quality of life. Although more than 5 million children in the United
States have a speech, language or hearing disorder, parents are often unsure about what to do when they
suspect their child may be affected. Feeding therapy can be an important aspect of the services that speech
therapists can offer to help infants and children who have feeding difficulties such as sucking, chewing,
feeding or swallowing.

In speech therapy, Sloane is learning to communicate through spoken words, pictures, and sign language.
She also uses an augmentative communication device to express herself. She is learning to stand on her
own in Physical Therapy and learning cause-and-effect through play in Occupational Therapy.
“I love all the therapists. Each one has unique traits,” Leanne says. “I am quite fond of everyone who has
come into our lives through Easterseals.”

Families with a concern about their child’s speech or feeding development should contact Easterseals for
information on acquiring a full evaluation. Easterseals’ has a team of Master’s level, certified and licensed
Speech-Language Pathologists who are available to provide services to children of all ages in our locations in
Delaware and Maryland’s eastern shore.

A trusted provider of children’s therapy services for more than 65 years, Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore specializes in treating children ages birth through eighteen years with a variety of challenges, including developmental delay, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, speech and language delay, feeding and swallowing difficulties and others. Therapy services are provided for children in the home, at daycare centers, or through center-based play groups.

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore is leading the way to an inclusive community through its innovative services, which include: children’s therapies, day programs for adults with physical or intellectual disabilities, supported employment, senior services, recreational camping, respite services, and services for caregivers. To learn more about Easterseals, call 1-800-677-3800 or visit www.de.easterseals.com.