Our Speech-Language Pathologists provide assessment and treatment of a variety of speech, language and cognitive deficits including communication difficulties as a result of a stroke, traumatic brain injury, concussion or other neurologic conditions. 

We also evaluate and treat deficits of voice production, stuttering, breathing, swallowing and chronic cough. Common symptoms and conditions may include: 

Symptoms 

  • Slurred or imprecise speech (dysathria, apraxia)
  • Memory or attention loss
  • Effortful swallowing or coughing/choking with swallowing (dysphagia)
  • Chronic hoarseness (dysphonia), vocal fatigue, effortful voice production, throat pain with voice use, reduced vocal loudness and/or range pitch
  • Breathing difficulties (dyspnea) and chronic cough, including coughing attacks and breathing attacks from exertion, strong odors, changes in temperature, etc. 

Conditions 

  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Stroke
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Muscles Tension dysphonia
  • Vocal cord lesions (nodules, polyps, granuloma)
  • Vocal cord dysfunction/laryngospasm
  • Chronic cough
  • Treatment for head and neck cancer

Our Services

Speech or language deficit evaluation and treatment

Our speech-language pathologists provide evaluation and treatment of communication deficits due to stroke, brain injury, concussion or other neurogenic diseases. This may also include evaluation and treatment for slurred speech, stuttering or work-finding difficulties. Our speech language pathologists evaluate and identify specific areas of deficit and teach techniques and strategies to improve functional communication. 

Cognitive assessment and treatment

We provide evaluation and treatment for cognitive deficits in memory, attention, problem solving and reasoning. Many people have difficulty with memory or other thinking tasks because of an injury to the brain or a neurological change. Our speech pathologists can identify these difficulties and teach techniques and strategies to improve difficulties in these areas. 

Voice disorders evaluation and treatment

We provide evaluation and treatment of voice, cough and upper airway breathing difficulties. Our speech-language pathologists provide a comprehensive evaluation for each patient, including the use of laryngoscopy and stroboscopy (equipment to view the larynx, including vocal fold movement and vocal fold vibration in "slow motion" to help determine what may be causing the voice, breathing or cough condition). A care plan is created and customized to the individual's need. Please visit our Voice and Swallowing Center website here. 

FEES - Swallowing disorder evaluation

We provide evaluation of swallowing disorders, in particular, a procedure called FEES (Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing). A small flexible camera is placed to view the patients swallowing as they eat food and drink liquid, which is helpful in determining the nature of swallowing difficulties. Treatment is best provided based on the results of the test. 

MBS - Swallowing disorder evaluation

Our speech pathologists work with radiology to perform a swallow study called Modified Barium Study (MBS). This procedure is a video X-Ray that helps see if food or liquid is swallowing safely and effectively or if material is sticking in the throat or chest or entering the patient's lungs when they swallow. Video fluoroscopy is used to evaluate the nature of swallowing difficulties. 

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Before receiving therapy

A medical provider's referral is required. Patients must complete a medical history form that includes listing all current medications and allergies. Along with this, patients should bring a list of all medications, including dosage, and all relevant medical records. In addition, patients will need to complete patient registration forms. These forms are emailed prior to the visit. 

What should I bring?

  • Picture identification (I.D.)
  • Insurance cards
  • List of current medicaitons

During the appointment

Patients receive one-on-one consultation with a speech-language pathologist during their office visit. The speech-language pathologist administers formal and informal tests to evaluate the condition. Based on the test results, treatment options will be discussed. Generally, an evaluation or treatment session takes about an hour. 

Follow-up appointments

Following the evaluation, the patient's therapist will discuss treatment options and help provide a plan of care. The frequency and duration of treatment will be determined by consulting with the therapist and varies according to individual patient needs. 


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