Speech Pathology

Specializing in speech, language and swallowing

Speech therapist testing patients swallowing in rehab. arch to lay on top of image

The speech language pathologist works with patients who have problems expressing and understanding language, as well as patients who have a swallowing disorder known as dysphagia. Speech therapy may involve the evaluation and treatment of auditory comprehension, verbal expressions, reading and writing skills, speech skills, memory, problem solving, reasoning, organization, and executive functioning skills.

Speech and Language

Speech pathology involves the evaluation and treatment of language, speech and cognitive-linguistic skills.

Language skills include:

  • Auditory comprehension

  • Verbal expressions

  • Reading and writing skills

Speech skills include:

  • Articulation (precision/coordination)

  • Voicing

  • Fluency

Cognitive-linguistic skills include:

  • Attention

  • Orientation

  • Memory

  • Problem Solving

  • Reasoning

  • Organization

  • Executive Functioning

Cognitive and Communication Groups

Cognitive and Communication Groups are run periodically by the Speech-language Pathologists to target orientation, memory, social interaction, speech/language, and thinking skills.

Patient in speech therapy learning writing skills

Dysphagia and Swallowing
Swallowing therapy may involve modifying the consistency of food or liquid and teaching the patient and family special techniques and exercises to compensate for swallowing deficits, which allows them to eat and/or drink safely.

Swallow Group Therapy

Swallowing Group therapy occurs weekdays at 8:30a.m. Each Speech-Language Pathologist monitors up to 4 patients during the breakfast meal to ensure that their diet consistency is tolerated and that the patients are utilizing their swallow strategies during a meal.

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Modified Barium Swallow Test (MBS)

The Modified Barium Swallow test is a video x-ray of the swallow to visualize how the swallow muscles move and coordinate to determine the safest means of nutrition. The speech language pathologist will determine if/when an MBS is appropriate and complete the test with a physiatrist as needed.

 

Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing

The Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing includes the passing of a small camera through the nasal passage by a trained Speech Pathology to visualize the throat structures involved in the swallowing process. The Speech Pathologist will determine if/when a FEES is appropriate and complete as needed.

Neuromuscular Electrical-stimulation for Dysphagia

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