(385) 275-0492Speech language pathology services are medically necessary to treat speech language, swallowing, and cognitive communication disorders. Working closely with other medical professionals will allow us to help solidify the continuity of care needed for the best possible outcomes and the highest quality of life for the client and family.
Speech-language pathologists (SLP’s) work with people of all ages to identify and treat those who have difficulty speaking, listening, reading, writing, cognitive processing, and swallowing.
SLP’s Can
Evaluate speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive-communication disorders
Collaborate with other health care professionals like physicians and audiologists
Provide services to improve communication and swallowing
Counsel clients and their families about evaluation results and treatment options and provide education and support resources
Assist in developing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods when appropriate. These range from simple hand gestures to high-tech electronic devices that produce speech.
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What are some of the causes of speech, language, or swallowing problems?
Stroke
Head Injury
Diseases That Affect the Brain, Such As Alzheimer’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
Breathing Problems Requiring Tracheotomy and/or Ventilatory
Head and Neck Cancer
Abuse, Misuse, Paralysis, and Disease of The Vocal Cords
Severe or Long-Term Illness
Some Causes are Not Known
Aphasia: Problems Speaking, Understanding, Reading, Writing, Telling Time, and/or Using Numbers Due to Strokes, Tumors, or Brain Injury
Cognitive-Communication Disorders: Problems With Memory, Reasoning, Problem-Solving, Attention, and Awareness of Surroundings
Dysarthria: (Weakness of The Speech Muscles) and Apraxia (Difficulty Planning Muscle Movements) Due to Brain and Damage That Makes Speech Difficult to Understand
Swallowing Problems: (Dysphagia) That Can Lead To:
Dehydration
Malnutrition
Pneumonia As a Result of Food or Liquid Going Into the Airway (Aspiration)
Less Pleasure in Eating
Embarrassment or Isolation at Mealtime
The Need for Tube Feeding or Other Alternatives for Nutrition
Voice Disorders: That Cause Changes in Pitch, Loudness, and Vocal Quality
