Many areas of service are available to adults including:
Aphasia & Primary Progressive Aphasia
Aphasia services are provided to improve deficits following a stroke or due to Primary Progressive Aphasia to address loss or impairment of language. Incorporation of an Augmentative or Alternative Communication device may improve ability to express wants and needs and improve socialization in severe cases.
Cognitive Retraining Following a Head Injury & Cognitive Communication Disorders
Cognitive Retraining and Cognitive Communication Disorders target orientation, calculation, problem solving, safety awareness, memory, executive function skills and thought organization. Cognitive therapy is aimed towards allowing individuals to improve, maintain, and increase independence within the home and community.
Apraxia of Speech & Dysarthria
Dysarthria and Apraxia services improve coordination of spoken language. Slowness, weakness or reduced coordination can affect intelligibility and cause frustration.
Head & Neck Cancer
Head and Neck Cancer patients may benefit from speech therapy to maintain range of motion of the mouth and throat during and after radiation. Radiation affects the movement of essential parts of the head and neck that affect chewing, swallowing and talking.
Laryngectomy
Patients post Laryngectomy benefit from voice restoration services. An artifical or electrolarynx, esophageal speech or tracheo-esophageal speech will allow voice after the natural system has been removed.
Swallowing Disorders/Dysphagia
Swallowing Disorders or Dysphagia affect many people and can range from very mild to severe requiring alternative means of nutrition. Following a thorough evaluation of swallowing function, treatment may include:
- VitalStim or Ampcare Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Therapy to re-educate the swallowing muscles in conjunction with exercises or while swallowing specific textures of foods/liquids.
- Surface Electromyography (sEMG) treatment allows us to see a graph of the swallow on a screen. This provides biofeedback of effort and allows patients to gauge and increase muscle recruitment to improve strength and function.
- McNeil Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP) is an evidence-based, systematic approach to treating dysphagia. It is research-based and shown to be effective in progressing severe dysphagia patients through a food hierarchy to eventually consume a regular consistency diet.
- Myofascial Release is a manual therapy to address fibrosis related dysphagia post radiation or in the presence of severe muscle tension to restore motion and function.
- Resistive Breathing Tasks to improve ability to mobilize air, secretions and to improve cough. Resistive Breathing tasks have been shown to improve diaphragmatic breathing and swallowing function.
- Postural technique implementation as appropriate to reduce the risk of swallowing complication and improve function
- Implementation and instruction of individualized compensatory strategies to increase safety and improve function with recommended diet.
Stuttering
Stuttering services are provided to improve communication. Strategies and Techniques are implemented to allow patients to control speech and experience increased confidence with communication attempts.
Voice and Resonance Disorders
Voice Rehabilitation may be recommended by your physician to improve vocal loudness, pitch, quality and strain. We can help with :
- chronic cough
- incomplete closure or bowing of the vocal folds
- granulomas
- vocal fold polyps or nodules
- laryngitis
- Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion (PVFM)
- Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD)
- vocal fold paralysis or paresis
Many of our therapists are certified in LSVT LOUD and SPEAK OUT! - specialized, evidence-based voice therapy programs that improve vocal function for individuals with Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions.