What are the opening hours?

Monday 7am - 5pm Tuesday 7am - 5pm Wednesday 7am - 5pm Thursday 7am - 5pm Friday 7am - 5pm

Speech & Myo Therapy Des Moines

Home
United States
West Des Moines, IA
Speech & Myo Therapy Des Moines

Pediatric Speech & Occupational Therapy including feeding & swallowing, and early intervention.

11/20/2025

We will be closed next Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving, so don't forget to book your sessions earlier in the week! 🥧 🦃

11/18/2025

Simple strategies that make a big difference. Let’s break them down. ✨

11/07/2025

Thank you so much for your trust, and kind review, Lorena!

10/30/2025

👻 Trick-or-treating is exciting — costumes, lights, new people, and (of course) candy! But for some kids, especially those working on regulation, transitions, or communication, Halloween night can feel unpredictable and overstimulating.

Halloween should be fun, flexible, and full of opportunities for growth — not stress. 💛

Below are some ways to help create a smoother, more successful experience:

10/27/2025

Need something fun and Halloween-ish to do on Halloween Eve? You're in luck!

Thursday, October 30 from 6:30–8:30 PM, you can head to the Sherman Hill Neighborhood to see decked out homes, live performances, and community trick-or-treating!

🦇 Since 2010, Halloween on the Hill has grown into Des Moines’ favorite Halloween tradition — a night when our historic neighborhood transforms into a glowing, ghostly wonderland. Homes come alive with spooky scenes, live performances, and creative community spirit, all while supporting local nonprofits.

This free, family-friendly event attracts thousands of visitors each year. Come in costume, bring your family, and join us for a night of magic, mischief, and meaning.

👻 What to Expect:
Walk the historic streets of Sherman Hill and experience:

Spooky decorated homes throughout the neighborhood
Live performances including Thriller dancers and Bewitched Bellydancers
Classic Halloween characters like knights, pirates, and even Freddy Krueger
Local food vendors and nonprofit pop-ups
A great cause — donations benefit the DMARC Food Pantry Network

More information at: https://www.shermanhilldsm.org/events/halloween-on-the-hill/

10/22/2025

Looking for spooky (and not-so-spooky) fun for the family this weekend? Here are some local events that are perfect for kids of all ages!

🧡 Night Eyes – Blank Park Zoo
Oct 23–26 | 5:30–9 PM
A “merry-not-scary” trick-or-treat safari through the zoo!

🌳 Trick or Trees – Des Moines Botanical Garden
Sat, Oct 25 | 9 AM–4 PM
Plant-themed fun, crafts, and treats!

🔬 Spooky Science – Science Center of Iowa
Sat, Oct 25 | Hands-on, “spook-ified” experiments and creepy critters!

🏡 Family Halloween – Living History Farms
Oct 24–26
Trick-or-treat through a historic town, wagon rides, and games.

🎢 Phantom Fall Fest – Adventureland Park
Oct 25 & 26 | Halloween fun + theme park thrills.

Whether you love pumpkins, ghosts, or candy—there’s something for everyone this Halloween season in DSM! 🎃✨

10/20/2025

Did you know Halloween candy can double as a speech and oral-motor activity? 🍬

It’s true — candy can be more than just a treat when you turn it into a fun speech game!

Here are some creative (and delicious) ways to sneak in speech practice this Halloween:

👅 Oral-Motor Skills:

Chewy candies (like caramels or gummies) help strengthen jaw muscles.

Lollipops are perfect for practicing tongue movement and control — try “licking the left side” or “up and down” for oral awareness.

Crunchy treats like pretzels or M&Ms help kiddos practice controlled biting and chewing.

🗣️ Speech Sound Practice:

Turn candy sorting into a word game!

“Let’s find all the candies that start with /m/ — Milky Way, M&Ms!”

“Which ones start with /s/? Skittles, Starburst!”
It’s a fun way to target beginning sounds and vocabulary in a meaningful way.

🧠 Bonus tip: Use candy wrappers for following directions or sequencing practice: “First find the red wrapper, then the blue, then put them in the bowl.”

With a little creativity, you can turn post-trick-or-treat candy sorting into a sweet learning opportunity. 🍭

10/17/2025

🎃 Fun Project Friday 🎃

Need a Halloween activity that’s fun and great for developing fine motor and language skills? Try this simple Spider Web Craft! 🕷️✨

You’ll need:
🧻 Paper plate
✂️ Scissors
🖍️ Markers, crayons, or paint
🧵 Yarn or string (any color!)
🕷️ Plastic spider or one made from pipe cleaners

How to make it:
1️⃣ Cut out the center of the paper plate so you have a ring.
2️⃣ Punch small holes all around the edge.
3️⃣ Lace the yarn back and forth through the holes to make your “web.”
4️⃣ Decorate your web and add your spider friend!

Why we love it:

🖐️ OT Focus: Builds fine motor coordination, bilateral hand use, and visual-motor skills while lacing.

💬 ST Focus: Add language practice by talking about what your spider is doing! (“He’s crawling up!” “She’s hiding!” “Let’s count the web lines!”)

🎨 Sensory Play: Kids can explore textures, colors, and shapes while creating something festive.

This craft is simple enough for little hands, but engaging enough for older kids to add their own spooky flair! 🧡

🕸️ Tip: If you want to take it outside, hang your finished webs in the trees for some Halloween yard décor!

10/14/2025

🎃 Halloween costumes can be so fun—unless they’re itchy, tight, or full of scratchy seams! For kiddos with sensory sensitivities, what should be an exciting day can easily turn overwhelming.

Here are a few OT-approved ideas for keeping costumes comfortable and fun:

✨ Start with what’s familiar: Use your child’s favorite soft clothes or pajamas as the base. If they love cozy cotton or stretchy leggings, that’s the perfect starting point.

✨ Choose comfort over complexity: Instead of bulky costumes, try simple ones like a “cat” (black outfit + ears), “astronaut” (sweatsuit + cardboard badge), or “chef” (apron + hat).

✨ Avoid scratchy tags, sequins, or masks that touch sensitive areas of the face or neck. Paint-on whiskers or headbands can be great substitutes!

✨ Let your child help create their costume: Giving choices—like what color cape to wear or which accessory to add—builds ownership and confidence.

You can also practice wearing the costume a few times before Halloween night. That way, it feels familiar when it’s time to go out and collect candy!

Comfort + confidence = one happy trick-or-treater 🧡

10/01/2025

Happy International Coffee Day! ☕🗣️

Did you know? Coffee isn’t just for mornings… it can also fuel great conversations!

Here at Speech & Myo, we know that practicing speech takes focus, energy, and sometimes a little extra motivation… kind of like coffee!

So today, we’re celebrating:

☕ Coffee lovers who talk a lot ☕
🗣️ Kids and adults who work hard on their speech skills 🗣️
🎉 And the power of speech + caffeine-inspired humor 🎉

Here’s a fun tip: next time you enjoy your coffee, try describing it out loud — “smooth, sweet, nutty, bold…” Great speech practice disguised as a coffee break!

💡 Bonus: You can practice articulation, new words, or descriptive language… all while sipping your favorite brew.

Happy International Coffee Day! Keep sipping, keep chatting, and keep having fun with words!

09/22/2025

😮‍💨 Kids feel BIG feelings… and sometimes they need a little extra support to handle them. Here are 6 ways you can help your child work through emotions in healthy, safe ways:

1️⃣ Listen First 👂
Let them share what they’re feeling without rushing to fix it right away. Feeling heard is powerful.

2️⃣ Give Space 🪷
Sometimes kids need a quiet break to calm their body and mind before they can talk.

3️⃣ Practice Positive Self-Talk 💬
Model simple phrases like, “I can do hard things” or “I’m safe right now.” These words help reframe big emotions.

4️⃣ Problem Solve Together 🧩
Once calm, help them think of solutions: “What could we try next time?” This builds confidence and resilience.

5️⃣ Co-Regulation ❤️
Stay calm yourself and show your child how to breathe, relax, or reset. Your calm helps them find theirs.

6️⃣ Express Through Drawing/Writing ✏️🎨
For kids who struggle with words, journaling, doodling, or coloring can be a powerful release.

🌟 Remember: Kids don’t always need us to fix everything. Often, they just need connection, patience, and the right tools to navigate big emotions.

Address

1501 42nd Street Suite 110
West Des Moines, IA
50266

Opening Hours

Monday	7am - 5pm
Tuesday	7am - 5pm
Wednesday	7am - 5pm
Thursday	7am - 5pm
Friday	7am - 5pm

Website

http://Speechdsm.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Speech & Myo Therapy Des Moines posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Speech & Myo Therapy Des Moines:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in West Des Moines?