Life Changing Speech Therapy

CHAT (Communication Health, Advocacy & Therapy) is a nonprofit that exists to increase access to speech-language therapy for children with few—if any—other options.

New Job Posting - Speech Language Pathologist

Current IL SLP License Required. Click on the link for more details!

CHAT Updates!

81

Summer Programs

Live at five Chicagoland locations: Great Lakes Academy, Passages Charter School, Little Village Reconnection Hub, Ray Graham Association and The Center for Independence through Conductive Education.

MicrosoftTeams-image (76)

CHAT Interns

Summer programs are administered with the help of our seven Hallie Quinn Brown Interns. Click below to learn more about our internship program for BIPOC aspiring SLPs.

2

Early Intervention

CHAT is now an Illinois Early Intervention provider for children ages birth to three-years-old with speech therapy needs! 

 

For more than 40 years, CHAT has given children in need the gift of communication. Focused on inclusion and centered in social justice, CHAT provides life-changing speech therapy to children with few—if any—other options. Through our clinic, in schools, and in partnership with community nonprofits, we tailor services specifically to children’s needs and build on their strengths. We approach our work with deep cultural humility, and understand the need for systemic change in healthcare and education so that our students can be more sustainably supported. We strive for more communication justice by serving under-resourced children whose communication disorders and differences contribute to their inequitable treatment, and by working to remove structural barriers to access.

Communication is a human right. Every child needs to communicate with the world around them. CHAT exists to include and empower children whose voices have not been heard, helping them to access a better future.

"Of all of the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane."
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Recent News + Blog

Maggie’s Story

Imagine being so excited to come to therapy, you are willing to skip your vollevball game… As typically happens when you enter high school, Maggie’s social calendar filled right up. …

Maggie’s Story Read More »

Help CHAT in our Expansion into El Service

It’s back to school time! For many children it is a time of excitement and wonder. For others. it can be a time of uncertainty and anxiety. Every year, CHAT …

Help CHAT in our Expansion into El Service Read More »

Nathaniel’s Story

“Problem child.” What a label to give a child, but that was how Nathaniel was known at school. When Nathaniel started school therapy with his CHAT SLP, she noticed that …

Nathaniel’s Story Read More »

CHAT With Us

hero appeal image

Annual Appeal

Corey's story.

EF homepage

Executive Functioning

Helps 10-18-year-olds with organization, time management, and attention

Screenshot 2023-09-05 at 8.56.11 PM

Upcoming Event!

DC Cocktail Party Fundraiser

Testimonials

Amelia & Julie

Clients

"All of the speech pathologists that I have worked with at CHAT have been nothing but positive, professional, hardworking, & well-educated in current best practices in the fields of speech and language pathology & special education. I do not believe that the transition to teletherapy would have been beneficial or effective with anyone but CHAT."

Emily A. Wallen, B.A., M.A.T.

Director of Special Education, Jackson Charter School

“It is exciting to see the Center that started with a small idea and grew to support a number of wonderful families is now reaching so many more. The ability to go where the children are and touch so many more lives is beyond meaningful.”

Phyllis Kupperman

CHAT (CSLD) Founder

“My child has gone from hating reading to loving it. She now reads all evening long. Her self-confidence has been boosted tremendously. She can’t wait to go back to school and advocate for herself. Thank you for allowing my child to participate in this amazing program!”

Rose, mother of nine year old

Summer 2019 Language to Literacy Program

Our Partners

We are proud to partner with organizations across Illinois to provide life changing speech services to children in need. Learn more about some of our partners: