The Atlanta Speech School is one of the Southeast's oldest therapeutic, educational centers for children and adults with hearing, speech, language or learning disabilities. The Junior League School for Speech Correction was established in 1938, at the instigation of Katherine "Kitty" Cathcart Hamm, the mother of a deaf son. It was begun with a single, rented room and served 32 students in its first year.

By 1960, when the name was changed to Atlanta Speech School, it had become a well-established, private, nonprofit organization. The School has expanded in unprecedented proportions over the years, both in size and in the scope of services offered. After several locations, it was relocated to its present 57,000 square foot Northside Parkway facility in 1967.

The School serves over 1,800 children and adults annually. What was once a one-room facility now encompasses classrooms for four school programs and a speech-language audiology clinic, an extensive library and media center, therapy and remediation rooms, a gym, a computer lab, and diagnostic facilities. Instruction is supported by state-of-the-art technology in all classrooms and therapy rooms.

• Opened the first audiology clinic south of Johns Hopkins
• Initiated and assisted in developing the first speech therapy program for Atlanta Public Schools
• Assisted Fulton County Schools with the development of a speech therapy program
• Initiated a master's level teacher training program in communicative disorders with Emory University in 1947 (providing significant funding, personnel, and practicum site until 1967)
• Began the forerunner of a learning disabilities program in the mid 50's (Language Department)
• Shifted the focus of the Language Department from severe problems to mild/moderate language and learning disabilities after federal legislation mandated special education services for handicapped children in the late 70's in order to provide services to unserved children at a young age
• Began dispensing hearing aids in the Audiology Clinic for the convenience of our clients
• Established the first home training program for deaf infants in the country, funded as a demonstration project by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
   

The Atlanta Speech School is committed to being an integral part of the Atlanta community. This is reflected in our mission.