Chatham Speech and Myo

Chatham Speech and Myo Chatham Speech and Myo has been providing evaluation and treatment of speech, language, oral functio

Looking at the mouth is not the whole story.In myofunctional therapy, we have to widen the lens.Posture matters.When the...
03/27/2026

Looking at the mouth is not the whole story.

In myofunctional therapy, we have to widen the lens.

Posture matters.

When the head shifts forward, airway position can be affected. The body will adapt to keep air moving — even if that means changing how we breathe, how the jaw rests, or where the tongue sits.

Forward head posture has been associated with:
• Increased use of neck and shoulder muscles for breathing instead of the diaphragm
• Changes in resting position of the jaw, lips, and tongue

Over time, this can be associated with:
• Jaw tension, clenching, or grinding
• Compensatory patterns such as a shift away from consistent nasal breathing at rest

And it’s not one-directional.

Posture and oral function are constantly influencing each other.
This is why we don’t just look at the mouth.

We look at the whole system.

Chatham Speech has been a proud supporter of our local communities since 1982.Teachers and parents are often the first t...
03/25/2026

Chatham Speech has been a proud supporter of our local communities since 1982.

Teachers and parents are often the first to notice when something feels a little “off”—and knowing what to do next can make all the difference.

Our team provides complimentary in-services and parent education sessions with practical, real-world guidance to help you better identify, understand, and support speech and language development. Commonly requested topics include speech sound development, language delays vs. late talkers, preschool stuttering, oral habits, and communication strategies that support progress both in the classroom and at home.

Continuing education certificates are available.

We also offer free preschool screenings and on-site speech and language services, making support more accessible for schools and families.

Some children do catch up—but not all. Early support matters, and the younger the child, the easier it is to make meaningful change.

Reach out if we can support your school or group. Call 973-635-5757.

 

Celebrating the wins.A new sound finally clicks.
Lips stay closed throughout an entire game.
The tongue finds the spot o...
03/20/2026

Celebrating the wins.

A new sound finally clicks.
Lips stay closed throughout an entire game.
The tongue finds the spot on the palate without a reminder.

Each of these moments tells us the patterns we’re working on are starting to stick. Big cheers for the hard work our clients put in every step of the way.

Stacey has officially begun her maternity leave, and we’re so excited for her as she prepares to welcome her little one....
03/17/2026

Stacey has officially begun her maternity leave, and we’re so excited for her as she prepares to welcome her little one. Wishing her a beautiful and restful time with her growing family. We can’t wait to meet the newest member of Team Chatham Speech and Myo!

03/12/2026

Some days filming goes smoothly… and some days everything hits the floor.

A little real-life behind the scenes from our latest filming attempt. 😄

A note like this means the world.One of our therapists, Jodi, received this beautiful card from a student who just gradu...
03/10/2026

A note like this means the world.

One of our therapists, Jodi, received this beautiful card from a student who just graduated from speech. The kindness and gratitude from this family truly made our day.

Moments like this remind us how meaningful these connections can be.

Congratulations on graduating, and thank you to this wonderful family for sharing such a heartfelt message.

What do elastics and diamond art have in common?Nothing… unless you’re talking about the final phase of myofunctional th...
03/06/2026

What do elastics and diamond art have in common?

Nothing… unless you’re talking about the final phase of myofunctional therapy: habituation.

During this phase, small orthodontic elastics are placed on the tongue and held to “the spot.”  The tongue tip and entire tongue blade are comfortably resting along the hard palate. As therapy progresses, this exercise is practiced for up to 60 minutes in order to help reinforce proper tongue rest position.

Quiet activities—like diamond art—give children something to focus on while they continue to practice:  tongue on the palate, lips closed, breathing through the nose!

We are so excited to welcome Hannah Fransowie, M.A., CCC-SLP, to Chatham Speech and Myo! 💜Hannah brings over a decade of...
03/04/2026

We are so excited to welcome Hannah Fransowie, M.A., CCC-SLP, to Chatham Speech and Myo! 💜

Hannah brings over a decade of experience supporting children and families. She enjoys working with individuals who have early language delays, speech sound disorders, apraxia, fluency challenges, pragmatic language differences, AAC needs, and autism spectrum disorder.

What immediately stands out about Hannah is her calm, steady presence and the thoughtful way she connects with both children and parents. She is smart, warm, and deeply committed to meaningful progress.

And in true small-world fashion — Hannah has previously worked with both Sandy and Stacey in different settings and even attended graduate school with Heather. Sometimes the right fit really does come full circle.

Hannah has also completed her myofunctional training and is now seeing myofunctional therapy clients in the office.

We’re so happy she’s here. Welcome, Hannah! 💜

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“She made such a meaningful impact on his progress and confidence.”“She looked beyond surface challenges and a...
02/27/2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“She made such a meaningful impact on his progress and confidence.”

“She looked beyond surface challenges and addressed the underlying issues.”

“Our son looked forward to seeing her every single week.”

That kind of experience speaks volumes about the environment Stacey creates.

Incredibly communicative. Supportive. Genuinely kind. Thoughtful in her recommendations and deeply invested in each child she works with.

We are so grateful for this family’s trust — and proud to have an exceptional speech pathologist like Stacey on our team at Chatham Speech and Myo. 💜

02/25/2026

Mouth Prop Alternatives 👄

In myofunctional therapy, there are standard mouth props available to help stabilize the jaw during tongue exercises. They work beautifully… until they don’t.

For clients with smaller mouths or a hypersensitive gag reflex, traditional mouth props can simply be too much.

So we got creative.

Two simple alternatives we’ve used successfully:�• Gummy bears�• Pretzel balls

Small. Accessible. Adjustable. And often far better tolerated.

Now we’re curious —

If you’re a myofunctional therapist, what have you used as an alternative to standard mouth props?
�Drop your ideas in the comments 👇 Let’s build a resource thread for the whole community.

02/20/2026

When we evaluate airway, we’re not guessing.

Using CBCT imaging, Dr. Carter carefully examines the tonsils, adenoids, and surrounding structures to assess whether there may be reduced airway space. These images give us a detailed look at anatomy that can’t be seen from the outside — helping guide thoughtful, informed decisions.

Function matters. Structure matters. And collaboration matters.

At Chatham Speech and Myo, collaborating with professionals who have a clear understanding of airway anatomy directly informs our clinical decision-making. There are times when myofunctional therapy cannot begin right away because structure is impacting airway function. Working alongside providers who recognize and evaluate these factors helps ensure the right timing and approach — supporting the best possible patient outcomes.

Questions about airway evaluation or myofunctional therapy? We’re here to help.

02/18/2026

Game Night at Karen’s House 🎲

Round one: Things you see on a farm.
No hesitation. Rapid fire answers.

Round two: Reasons to “wait and see” before starting speech.
…
Silence.

Because when it comes to speech, language, and oral function, “wait and see” is rarely a strategy — it’s usually a delay.

Clear speech production. Strong language skills. Proper tongue function. Nasal breathing. Chewing and swallowing patterns that support healthy growth and orthodontic stability. These are things we can support — and the earlier we begin, the better.

If you have concerns, even small ones, call the office and talk them through with us. We’re happy to help you decide what makes sense for your child. 💬

Address

667 Shunpike Road Suite 1a
Chatham, NJ
07928

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+19736355757

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Welcome!

Welcome to Chatham Speech and Language Associates. CSL is a pediatric speech therapy practice located on Shunpike Rd in Chatham, New Jersey. We have been serving Chatham and the neighboring communities for over 25 years. CSL was founded by Laura Goepfert, who began seeing patients in her home but quickly outgrew that space and moved to Main Street. She retired several years ago leaving behind a well established practice that continues to adhere to her philosophy.

At Chatham Speech and Language we believe that every child has needs that are unique. We evaluate and treat your children with the utmost integrity, honesty, and sensitivity in an environment that understands the importance of a child-centric approach. We will work closely with your family so you can understand and support our intervention.

My staff and I strive constantly to improve your child's language and communication skills and understand the cumulative impact good communication has on your child's life and how he experiences the world.