SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AT REHABILITATION SPECIALISTS
Speech-Language Pathologists evaluate and treat impairments in speech, language, cognition, voice and swallowing, which result from brain injury, stroke, or other conditions. After a brain injury, clients may have difficulty understanding what is being said and speaking clearly with meaning. In addition, clients may demonstrate difficulty recalling important information, concentrating, and problem solving as well as thinking and reasoning clearly.
DIAGNOSES/CONDITIONS/AILMENTS
Rehabilitation Specialist’s Speech-Language Pathology department treats the following: aphasia, stuttering, dysarthria, apraxia, voice disorders, and cognitive-linguistic impairments. Informal dysphagia assessments are available as well as techniques such as swallowing maneuvers for dysphagia.
BENEFITS
- Intelligible and Fluent speech
- Ability to expressively convey messages (e.g. wants, needs, thoughts, ideas, and feelings)
- Ability to receptively process and understand what speakers are saying
- Improved vocal quality
- Increased abilities with verbal reasoning and problem solving skills
- Improved pragmatic/social language skills
- Improved planning, organizing, sequencing, and self-checking skills
- Improved swallowing function
- Better quality of life
- Better self-confidence
- Increased independence
TREATMENT
Treatment focuses on teaching the client compensatory strategies to increase communicative success. Speech and language therapy consists of teaching the client how to make sounds, increase expressive and receptive language skills, improve pragmatic language/social reasoning, improve executive functioning, and improve vocal quality. Augmentative or alternative communication methods may be used for clients with little or no speech capability. Dysphagia therapy consists of modifying the client’s diet and teaching swallowing techniques and maneuvers to increase the client’s swallow function.
