Speech Therapy
Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)
Swallow safety can be impacted by strokes, head injuries, esophageal disorders, head and neck cancers, and neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease. Reduced swallowing safety is of high importance as it can lead to an increased risk of choking and/or aspiration pneumonia.
Difficulty Speaking
Difficulty speaking can involve problems in engagement, strength, and control of the muscles involved in speech (apraxia or dysarthria). Speech difficulties in adults are often caused by a stroke, head injury, brain surgery, or a degenerative disorder (e.g., Parkinson’s Disease). Difficulty with speaking can be frustrating as the speaker knows what they want to say but can’t make the words understandable.
We offer clinical evaluations to target the areas that will improve intelligibility and develop strategies for improving intelligibility of speech.
Language Problems
Loss of language skills (aphasia) can impact every aspect of a person’s life; the loss can be as mild as word-finding difficulties to a total loss of language. Language problems are often caused by a stroke, head injury, brain surgery, or a degenerative disorder.
We offer clinical evaluations of all aspects of language including expressive language, comprehension of language, reading and writing skills, and develop a rehabilitation program that is functional and meaningful.
Stuttering (Adults & Children)
Stuttering can be caused by genetics, childhood development, or neurophysiology. Stuttering also can be impacted by environmental factors.
We offer clinical evaluations to determine the types and durations of speech disturbances and analyze psychological, cognitive, emotional, and other factors associated with speech disturbances, and develop a collaborative focused plan with fluency shaping and clear communication strategies.
Neurocognitive Issues
Cognitive deficits are associated with strokes, head injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. These can include attention, memory function, organization, reasoning, and problem-solving.
We offer clinical evaluations to determine areas of cognition that are impacting upon safety, communication, and functional independence and develop a collaborative program of care to improve areas of concern.
Voice (Adults and Children)
Voice problems (Dysphonia) can be a result of many factors including professional voice use, vocal trauma, vocal cord paralysis, reflux, stress, nodules, surgery, and many more.