Welcome to Wren Speech Services

Welcome to Wren Speech Services where it is my mission to offer expert and comprehensive speech services to children Phoenix and surrounding communities. I specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric speech sound disorders, including Childhood Apraxia of Speech, phonological disorders, articulation and fluency disorders. My approach to therapy is a collaborative process where I work closely with families to understand each child’s communication needs, strengths, and preferences. Together we will develop a personalized treatment plan with goals that align with family preferences and the child's unique needs. With over three decades of experience as a pediatric speech-language pathologist, I understand results are achieved through using evidence-based therapy techniques in a dynamic and engaging manner.

Speech Sound

Disorders

Common signs of a speech sound disorder include difficulty saying certain sounds, distorted sounds, sound substitutions, speech that is hard to understand, and/or a limited repertoire of sounds. Taking an evidence-approach, therapy focuses on advancing a child's communication skills within meaningful play and daily routines.

Fluency

Disorders

The diagnosis and treatment of fluency disorders are individualized to the age and developmental history of each child. With advanced education in the area of stuttering, I understand the importance of considering the whole child in order to address environmental factors, speech characteristics, and secondary behaviors.

Parent

Coaching

Parent and caregiver coaching is designed to empower parents with strategies to support communication within daily routines. Caregivers who are equipped with the right tools can foster their child's development at home. Therapy always includes parent education and training and is also available as a stand-alone service.

CAS is a rare motor speech disorder characterized by inconsistent sound errors, difficulty connecting sounds and syllables into longer words, and disturbances with rate and intonation.  Other signs include limited babbling, limited range of consonants and vowels, oral groping, unusual errors, and variability of errors. Accurate differential diagnosis of CAS requires a comprehensive and dynamic motor speech assessment. Treatment is highly individualized and is based on the principles of motor learning.

Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Expert Diagnosis, Treatment & Support

Appropriate treatment for speech sound disorders begins with an initial intake to understand your concerns, followed by a comprehensive and dynamic speech assessment.  Therapy goals are individually determined based on assessment results and parent input.  Parents and caregivers are asked to attend therapy sessions to understand their child's goals and p.  Parents learn how to help their child beyond the therapy session which contributes to better progress.

Recognized By Apraxia Kids™ for Advanced Training and Expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Meet Karen

Karen Ruehle-Kumar, MA, CCC-SLP

Owner, Speech-Language Pathologist

Karen has over 35 years of experience in the field of speech-language pathology with extensive experience and a passion for treating speech sound disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and stuttering. Karen recently opened Wren Speech Therapy as a way to combine evidence-based therapy with the dedicated time and individualized care each child needs and deserves. As a therapist, educator, coach, and advocate, Karen takes a collaborative approach to therapy, working closely with parents to deliver dynamic therapy that aligns with the family's values. 

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Karen is a graduate of the Apraxia Kids™ Boot Camp, an intensive training program designed to advance diagnostic and therapeutic skills in the area of Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Upon completion of the training and a six-month mentorship program, she received national recognition by Apraxia Kids™ for advanced training and expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech. In her commitment to providing her clients with evidence-based therapy approaches, Karen has completed advanced training in:

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• Differential diagnosis and treatment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech

• DTTC (Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing)

• PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets)

• Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol

• Moving Across Syllables

• ReST - Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment Program

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Karen has also participated in advanced training in the assessment and treatment of fluency through the Stuttering Foundation, the National Stuttering Association, and the International Stuttering Awareness Day Conference.

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In her free time, Karen can usually be found outdoors. As an avid hiker and a Certified Master Gardener, she enjoys the beauty of the desert and traveling to new places. 

Consultation with SLPs

With over three decades of experience and advanced training in motor speech disorders, I work with SLPs  in private practice and schools to provide consultations and support. My collaborative training and consultation services are designed to empower professionals with the tools to confidently diagnose and treat motor speech disorders. Whether you have a specific client with suspected CAS or are interested in advancing your diagnostic and therapeutic skillset, all sessions will be tailored to your specific goals. 
Consultation services include comprehensive assessment and goal-setting.
 

Wren Speech Services

Karen Ruehle-Kumar, MA, CCC-SLP

480-591-8826
karen@wrenspeechservices.com

"The ability for humans to use speech and language to express themselves, to connect with others, to learn and share and grow is the essence of being human."