This service supports individuals with communication and / or swallowing needs.
Speech-Language Pathologists evaluate, diagnose, treat and enhance function in both communication (speech production, receptive and expressive language, cognition, voice, resonance, fluency, and hearing) and swallowing, including related feeding behaviors. Taking a lead role in advocating for and implementing Communication Access (i.e., low tech solutions to high technology solutions for individuals who are not able to use their voice for short term or long term reasons).
Intervention includes:
- health promotion
- capacity building
- prevention and wellness
- triage
- screening
- clinical assessment
- diagnosis
- individual and group treatment
- partner training
- education
- advocacy
- counseling
- self-management
- case management
- consultation
- referral and environmental modifications to facilitate communication and safe feeding and swallowing
Speech-language pathology may support individuals experiencing;
- stroke / head injury
- dementia
- neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease
- developmental delays
- other neurological / degenerative diseases such as ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
- people who use their voice professionally (e.g., teachers and lawyers)
Works with individuals to;
- produce sounds/articulate, reduce stuttering
- understand and use language
- use the voice in a healthier way
- learn another way to communicate (through a communication board or other device)
- learn ways to make swallowing easier to prevent food from entering the airway or choking
- read or write after changes to the brain
- thinking skills around communication (like memory, problem solving, and verbal reasoning)
- word finding