A Mother and Daughter’s Journey

a mother of a girl with down syndrome hugging her tightly

A Mother and Daughter's Journey

Kris Krajewski: Hi, I am Kris Krajewski. I am the director of PT, OT and Speech Therapy Services at MetroEHS. I am a clinical fellow mentor, a speech language pathologist, and a mom. And this is my daughter McKenna. McKenna is a therapy assistant at our Rochester Hills location.

Mckenna Krajewski: So as therapy assistant, they clean, do desk work and sanitize, take temperatures, taking care of clients, make sure they're safe and healthy, help them with their work and special needs. It makes me feel amazing and happy to be there for them. I am very, very proud.

Kris Krajewski: I got teary listening to McKenna talk about it because what, what is most important to me for children or anybody of any age, but in particular my child, is that they are happy. A large part of that happiness comes from feeling connected and having a purpose, um, and knowing that you have somewhere to go where you're valued and you're important. And so I see that happening at Metro with McKenna, with her job as a professional. I'm really proud of MetroEHS for thinking about people at, you know, both ends of that age spectrum, right? We have our little littles coming in at a very young age, and we are still interested in what happens to our kiddos when they get out into the world of work. Um, and to me that's a really important message.

A Family's Journey with a Special Need Diagnosis is a beautiful journey! Listen from some more of our MetroEHS Family's stories > HERE

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October 12, 2021

Post Frenectomy Care

What is a Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a minor surgical procedure involving the removal or modification of a frenulum, a small fold of tissue that prevents an organ in the body from moving too far.

Frenectomy Care

Follow Post-Op Instructions:

  • Adhere strictly to the post-operative care instructions provided by your healthcare provider.

Pain Management:

  • Use recommended pain relief medications as directed.
  • Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling and discomfort.

Oral Hygiene:

  • Keep the area clean to avoid infections. Gently rinse the mouth with a saline solution as advised.
  • Avoid using mouthwash with alcohol as it can irritate the surgery site.

Dietary Adjustments:

  • Stick to soft foods and avoid hot, spicy, or acidic foods that may cause irritation.
  • Ensure adequate fluid intake to stay hydrated.

Stretching Exercises:

  • Perform any stretching exercises as recommended by the surgeon to ensure proper healing and flexibility.

Monitor Healing:

  • Keep an eye on the surgical site for signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any unusual symptoms.

Follow-Up Appointments:

  • Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor the healing process and address any concerns.
May 14, 2020

Social Skills CLUB

Social Skills CLUB – Conversation, Listening, & Understanding Basics!

Social distancing doesn’t have to keep students from connecting with peers!

MetroEHS has created an online social skills group for Elementary,Middle, and High School students in Michigan with Autism, Asperger’s, Pragmatic Language Delay, or other difficulties with social skills. The group is designed to encourage peer interaction and is facilitated by a Speech-Language Pathologist.

Sign up Middle/High School students for a group focusing on online social skills like online learning, social media, and peer conversation. Elementary students will learn emotion identification and regulation and conversational skills like listening and appropriate responding!

Elementary School Students – Tuesday’s at 4pm
Course Goal: Elementary School students will learn and develop skills in listening and emotion regulation and perception, and build confidence and competence when talking to friends.
Topics covered will include: Emotion identification & empathy in others, Personal emotion regulation, “Self-talk”, Listening skills, Initiating and ending conversations, Reciprocal conversation skills

Middle/High School Students – Tuesday’s at 5pm
Course Goal: Middle School and High School students will learn how to effectively and appropriately participate and communicate in online learning, social media, and conversations with peers and in groups that take place online or on the phone.
Topics covered will include: Appropriate social media participation, Reciprocal phone conversation, Behavior during online learning, Conversation skills with peers in groups and individually

Dates: May 26-June 30, 6 weeks
Cost: $150

Who: Elementary, Middle, and High School students in Michigan with Autism, Asperger’s, Pragmatic Language Delay, or other difficulties with social skills

This 6-week online course begins May 26th!

Contact / Call to Reserve Your Child’s Spot Today!

May 28, 2025

The Importance of Reading and Speech Development

Unleashing the Superpower of Words: The Importance of Reading and Speech Development with MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy

Greetings, heroes of child development! At MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy, we believe every child has a SUPER spark waiting to shine, and there’s no greater way to ignite that spark than encouraging a love of reading. Like a trusty cape, developing reading skills empowers children to soar through life with confidence, connection, and success. Let’s dive into why nurturing these abilities is a game-changer for your little hero’s growth, all while embracing the compassionate, play-based approach that defines MetroEHS!

The Superpower of Reading: Building a Foundation for Success

Reading is more than just decoding words on a page—it’s a superpower that unlocks imagination, knowledge, and communication. For young children, reading acts as a catalyst for cognitive and emotional growth, especially during the critical early years when the brain’s neuroplasticity is at its peak. According to our MetroEHS mission, early intervention is key to leveraging this neuroplasticity, helping kids develop essential skills like speech, comprehension, and social interaction.

When children engage with stories, they’re not just following along—they’re building vocabulary, learning sentence structure, and developing critical thinking. Picture your little one giggling at a silly rhyme or pointing excitedly at a colorful picture book. These moments are more than just fun; they’re wiring their brains for language mastery! Reading exposes children to new words and concepts, fostering a love for learning that sets them up for success in the classroom and beyond.

Speech Development: Giving Voice to Their Inner Hero

Speech development is the megaphone that amplifies a child’s thoughts, feelings, and ideas. At MetroEHS, we know that clear communication is vital for connection and engagement, two pillars of life which enhance quality of life. Through play-based therapy, our therapists create a joyful environment where children feel safe to express themselves, whether through words, sounds, or even playful gestures.

Speech isn’t just about pronouncing words correctly—it’s about building confidence and social skills. When children struggle with speech delays, it can impact their ability to connect with peers or express their needs. That’s where MetroEHS swoops in with intensive, evidence-based interventions. By focusing on consistent, tailored support (think five times a week for maximum impact!), we help children overcome challenges and unlock their ability to communicate effectively.

Reading Fuels Speech Development

Reading and speech development are like two sidekicks working together to save the day. When children listen to stories or read aloud, they practice articulation, rhythm, and intonation. Storytime becomes a playground for language, where kids mimic sounds, learn new phrases, and build the confidence to share their own stories. Our play-based approach at MetroEHS harnesses this magic, using activities like storytelling and role-playing to make speech practice feel like an adventure.

For example, a child might act out a scene from their favorite book, practicing words like “roar” or “zoom” with a therapist’s guidance. These playful interactions not only improve speech clarity but also boost emotional well-being by creating a safe space for self-expression. Plus, reading together with parents or caregivers strengthens family bonds, aligning with our collaborative care model to empower families for long-term success.

Here’s the superhero secret: timing is everything.

The earlier we nurture reading and speech development, the greater the impact. MetroEHS emphasizes intensive early intervention because young brains are wired to learn and adapt. Parents swoop in heroically and read to their little superheroes daily. Therapists address any speech delays or reading challenges, mitigate developmental delays and set children on a path to achieve their full potential. Think of it as giving your child a head-start in their heroic journey!

Unleash Your Child’s Superpowers Today!

Ready to help your little hero soar? At MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy, we’re passionate about revealing the SUPER in every child through compassionate, play-based care. Learn how our evidence-based therapies can empower your child’s reading and speech development. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and join our mission to foster connection, engagement, and success!