About the KCC

Kaufman Children’s Center is an award-winning clinic that offers speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, sensory integration therapy, social skills instruction, and applied behavior analysis (ABA) autism programs. Parents are able to obtain many services for their children all under one roof in our bright, family-friendly facility that includes speech-language suites with adjoining parent observation rooms, classrooms, playrooms, and a state-of-the-art sensory gym. The KCC staff is highly trained and known for its enthusiasm, expertise, outstanding clinical skills, and insights into children. Therapists work together in a true team approach, creating the best possible outcomes for children.

About the KCC

Tour the Center

Meet Our Staff

Closing Dates

Center Policies

KCC Outreach

History of the KCC

Serving the nations’ families for over 30 years, the KCC is a leader in innovative treatment programs for children with special needs.

In 1992, speech-language pathologist Nancy R. Kaufman began providing private therapy with only an answering machine for support. In time, she was joined by several of her fellow SLPs, then added an occupational therapy and sensory integration program.

Over the past decade, the KCC has expanded its offerings for children on the autism spectrum, providing applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for hundreds of children in our center-based program and many more through home programs.

The center has grown to include over 70 staff members who provide the finest programs and offers dozens of specialized treatment options. What was once the smallest of private practices has evolved into a full-service, award-winning pediatric clinic for children with special needs.

The KCC provides a multitude of services under one roof, not only for metro Detroit children, but also for families who travel here from other states and countries seeking intensive therapy for their children.

Nancy Kaufman has become a worldwide leader in childhood apraxia of speech, and welcomes approximately 100 families a year for week-long programs. Families often opt to return for longer summer sessions, and a few whose children have benefited from our programs have actually moved to the Detroit area to maximize continued progress.

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Tour Our Center

Our side-by-side clinics are bright, family friendly, and fun places to play and learn. Call 248-737-3430 to arrange an in-person tour. Until then, enjoy these pictures of the KCC.

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Meet Our Professional Staff

All members of the KCC staff represent the highest standards of excellence in their field and have extensive experience in pediatric therapy. Continuing education is supported and encouraged to ensure our methods are as up-to-date as possible. Our staff members are part of the KCC team because of their expertise, outstanding clinical skills, and their warmth and insight into children.

Speech Staff

OT Staff

ABA Staff

Administrative & Support Staff

NANCY R. KAUFMAN

KCC DIRECTOR
Speech-Language Pathologist
MA, CCC-SLP

Since 1979, Nancy R. Kaufman has dedicated herself to establishing the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP), a treatment approach to help children become effective vocal communicators.

Nancy lectures nationally and internationally on the subject of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and other speech sound disorders. Families from around the world are able to experience video consultations with her and many travel to the KCC to participate in intensive, specialized therapy programs.

Since opening in 1993, the KCC has grown from a one-woman operation to a full-service, award-winning pediatric center for children with special needs. Nancy now leads a team of over 75 professionals known for their enthusiasm and clinical excellence. The center continues to grow and has earned a reputation for excellence, warmth, and successful outcomes.

Nancy was a member of the Apraxia Kids Professional Advisory Council for 10 years and currently serves on the board of visitors of the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development at Wayne State University. She is also a speech-language consultant for the Parish School and Carruth Center in Houston, Texas, and Suburban Speech Center in Short Hills, New Jersey.

Nancy earned her undergraduate degree at Michigan State University and her master’s at Wayne State University. She has been honored by both alma maters, receiving the Outstanding Alumni Award from MSU in 2010 and the Distinguished Alumni Award from WSU in 2015.

Both Nancy and the clinic have been honored by the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA). She was named Community Excellence Business Person of the Year Award by the West Bloomfield Township Chamber of Commerce in 2015.

Nancy and her husband reside in West Bloomfield, Michigan. They have three grown children and one granddaughter.

ALBIONA RAKIPI

KCC ASST. DIRECTOR
Speech-Language Pathologist
MA, CCC-SLP

Albiona earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Michigan and her master’s in speech and language pathology from Wayne State University.

Prior to coming to the KCC, she was a preschool teacher and director for 12 years.

Albiona and her husband have two children. She enjoys bike riding, traveling, and soccer.

KELLY SWAGLER

Administrative Director

Kelly has been with the KCC since 1992. She has a bachelor’s degree in linguistics from the University of Michigan. In her free time she enjoys thrifting with her husband, playing with her two cats, learning about mid-century modern design and architecture, hearing live music, organizing, and traveling.

DIANE REINHEIMER

Office Manager

Coming soon

DAWN FIELDS

Administrative Assistant

Dawn has been with the KCC since 2006. She received her associate’s degree in office information systems from Schoolcraft College. She enjoys reading, gardening, bike riding, and camping.

CYNDI DAVIS

Communication & Outreach Coordinator

Cyndi majored in English at the University of Michigan-Flint. She worked in journalism before moving to communications and marketing, first in public school districts and then here at the KCC since 2010.

Cyndi enjoys spending time with her husband and four sons, reading and writing book reviews, walking her dogs, and kayaking.

MARCI ZEMAN

Insurance Coordinator

Marci came to the KCC with over 20 years of office management experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising from Michigan State University.

Marci and her husband Paul have three children, three granddaughters, and one grandson. She loves spending time with her growing family, exercising, reading, and baking.

KAYLA PERDUE

ABA Clinic Coordinator

Kayla earned a BA in family life education from Concordia University. She has experience in the ABA field as both a tech and a scheduling coordinator.

Kayla has two daughters with big hearts who keep her on her toes. She loves spending time with her fiancé, family and friends. Kayla is a cheerleading coach and enjoys summer time and going camping.

VERA GJERGJAJ

ABA Staff Manager

Coming soon

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Center Policies

Here are some important guidelines about your child’s participation at the KCC. Please call our front office at 248-737-3430 with questions or clarifications on policies.

Illness Policy

Please help us keep the KCC a healthy environment for everyone

Read More

Attendance & Cancellation Policies

Please read these important guidelines on cancelling appointments

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Inclement Weather Closure Policies

Here's what a "snow day" means for your child's sessions at the KCC

Read More

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Community Outreach

Nancy Kaufman and the staff of the Kaufman Children’s Center believe in giving back to our local community and beyond. We especially enjoy opportunities to make life better for children with special needs and their families. Here are just a few of the organizations with which we’ve shared our expertise, time, and financial resources.

 

Click to read more about our community outreach efforts.

The Autism Alliance of Michigan leads collaborative efforts across the state to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism through education, comprehensive services, community awareness, inclusion efforts, and coordinated advocacy.

The KCC is proud to help in these efforts and has sponsored and participated annually in the organization’s Navigating Autism Conference and the Michigan Shines for Autism Gala.

WEBSITE

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support.

The KCC is an annual supporter of the Autism Speaks Walk, the world’s largest autism fundraising event. We join with countless others across the country to raise the funding needed to fuel innovative research and lifelong support and services.

WEBSITE

The Friendship Circle provides assistance and support to 3,000 individuals with special needs and their families through recreational, social, educational, and vocational programming. Friendship Circle also provides support to individuals and families struggling with isolation, addiction and other family-related crises.

The KCC is an annual supporter of the Friendship Circle’s Walk 4 Friendship, an amazing community event that raises crucial funds for the organization and awareness for children, teens and young adults with special needs.

In addition, the KCC was a sponsor of the Friendship Circle’s Perspective program, a series of six seminars that provided helpful information to parents and caregivers of individuals with special needs.

In 2015, the Friendship Circle opened the Farber Soul Center to provide a loving and inclusive environment for adults with challenges who have graduated from the Friendship Circle. The KCC took up a holiday collection to support the new center.

WEBSITE

A major instrument of Jewish philanthropy and engagement in the Detroit area, the Jewish Federation is a community-drive organization committed to taking care of the needs of Jewish people and building a vibrant future.

The KCC is a sponsor of many Federation events, especially those under the umbrella of “Opening the Doors,” an inclusion program that enables diverse learners to be included and engaged in Jewish education with their peers.

WEBSITE

OUCARES (Oakland University Center for Autism) provides innovative programs for teachers and opportunities for individuals living with autism spectrum disorder and their families. The multifaceted approach includes education for professionals, research in the field of autism education and daily living, and support services for families.

The KCC’s occupational therapy staff facilitates a sensory room each year at OUCARE’s Family Fun Day. Our OTs provide fun sensory-based activities for kids, as well as a quiet space to get away from the hubbub of the event.

WEBSITE

The Autism Society of Oakland County advocates and supports meaningful participating in all aspects of life for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families.

The KCC has worked with ASOC in many ways, including as a sponsor of their annual Golf for Autism event, and a sponsor and sensory room facilitator for their annual Walk for Autism.

WEBSITE

CASANA is a non-profit charity that helps strengthen the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia of speech (CAS) so that each child is afforded their best opportunity to develop speech and communication.

As a well-know apraxia expert, Nancy Kaufman serves is a member of CASANA’s professional advisory board and presents her methods at the organization’s annual conference and other events. In 2016, the center hosted a CASANA-sponsored apraxia workshop for Detroit-area parents.

The KCC is a long-time sponsor of CASANA’s apraxia walks, contributing funds and resources to parent-led apraxia efforts in cities across the country. The walks are a wonderful way to raise both awareness about apraxia and critical funds for programs and research, as well as a chance to celebrate the persistence and resilience of children with apraxia.

WEBSITE

JARC is a non-profit organization providing a rich continuum of services for those with developmental disabilities. Their efforts range from in-home respite care for children and young adults to independent living services and group homes for adults.

The KCC is an annual sponsor of JARC’s Spring Elation fundraising event, which raises critical funds to support JARC’s important work. In addition, Nancy Kaufman has presented valuable information to JARC’s staff on the nature of communicative challenges.

WEBSITE

MetroParent is an online parenting community offering expert advice, stories on parenting trends and issues, and numerous ways for parents to enrich their experiences raising the next generation.

The KCC is an annual sponsor of Metro Parent’s Living with Autism workshop, which gives parents and professionals the chance to connect with doctors, service providers, and more. Our therapists have been featured as presenters each year, providing expert information on a variety of topics related to ASD.

WEBSITE

Nancy Kaufman has shared her methods and experiences with thousands of undergrad and graduate students in speech-language and other communication courses. She has guest lectured at many universities, including Wayne State, Michigan State, the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Purdue, and even the University of Hawaii.