top of page

Our Services

 

Image by Pawel Czerwinski
Speech 

Speech refers to how sounds are produced when communicating.  A speech disorder is an impairment in the ability to produce these sounds, and can occur throughout the lifetime.  

 

Examples:  

  • articulatory or phonemic disorders impact how children produce certain sounds

  • In adults, distortion in speech may result from a brain injury, stroke, head & neck surgery, etc, 

Image by Piotr Łaskawski
Language

A language impairment can impact one's ability to express and/or understand communication.  This is different from a speech impairment, and there are a multitude of different language disorders. Language disorders can occur in both children and adults.  

​

Examples:

  • Developmental language delays in children may impact ability to participate in the classroom, by both affecting comprehension of instruction, and how well a child can communicate their thoughts (both verbally and non-verbally).

  • Deficits in both expressive and receptive language may occur in adults following a neurological injury (stroke, hypoxic brain injury, traumatic brain injury, tumor resection, degenerative disease, etc.).

Image by Camylla Battani
Swallowing

Impaired swallowing is called dysphagia. Inability to, or difficulty swallowing, can be due to a wide variety of causes.  Difficulty swallowing may impact a person of any age, can cause pulmonary & nutrition/hydration complications, and greatly impacts one's quality of life. 

​

Symptoms may include, but are not limited to the following when eating or drinking:

  • coughing

  • throat clearing 

  • shortness of breath during meals

  • wet vocal quality 

  • feeling a sensation of tightness or something being stuck in throat

  • difficulty holding or moving food/drinks in the mouth

  • prolonged time frame needed to consume a meal

  • food avoidance

  • regurgitation of food/drinks

Image by Johan Extra
Cognition

Cognition refers to the ability to think, reason, pay attention, retain information, solve problems, etc.  Impairments in this area can impact ability to carry out activities of daily living, and sometimes, safety.   A cognitive impairment can occur as a result of a neurological injury, a neurodegenerative disease, etc, 

 

Examples:  

  • Inability to problem solve may impact ability to manage personal finances. 

  • Impaired attention and short term memory could impact one's ability to safely dose and take medications.  

Image by israel palacio
Voice

Speech pathologists also evaluate and treat voice disorders (dysphonia), but only after an assessment by an otolaryngologist (also known as ENT, Ear Nose & Throat MD) to rule out medical concerns.

 

Symptoms may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • hoarseness

  • strain

  • change in pitch

  • tension or pain with voicing

  • breathy sounding voice

  • voice breaks (sound temporarily stops when voicing)

  • change in voice toward the end of the day.

Baby Eating Food
Feeding

We provide education to patients and caregivers on all areas of deficit  evaluated & treated, as well as, the medical and/or developmental etiology. Instruction on home exercises and strategies are discussed in detail, and can be provided in multiple forms. Counseling on social impact of communication, cognitive, and swallowing impairments is covered during sessions, and referrals to other specialists are made, if indicated.  

​

Stacking Blocks
Early Intervention

We work alongside parents and their children, ages birth to three years, to aid in the development of:

  • cognitive-communication skills

  • sensory skills

  • social–emotional skills

  • adaptive/self-help skills 

Early intervention is different for each child and family depending on the child’s needs and the family’s priorities. The most important step is to start early.

​

Image by Ed Robertson
Education/Counseling 

We provide education to patients and caregivers on all areas of deficit  evaluated & treated, as well as, the medical and/or developmental etiology. Instruction on home exercises and strategies are discussed in detail, and can be provided in multiple forms. Counseling on social impact of communication, cognitive, and swallowing impairments is covered during sessions, and referrals to other specialists are made, if indicated.  

​

bottom of page