Speech Therapy

Lead by Christine Klocheska, M.A. CCC-SLP. Speech-Language Pathologists provide evaluations and treatments in a wide range of areas including:

Cognitive aspects of communication:

Individuals who experience difficulties in this area may have problems focusing their attention on tasks for extended periods of time, remembering appointments and medications, following directions, managing finances, or completing a sequence of tasks. In addition, individuals may be experiencing memory declines and can work with speech therapy to form an individualized treatment program, Your Lifeline for Dementia.

Speech:

Some common symptoms include "slurred" speech or difficulty speaking clearly, which can make it challenging for others to understand what you are saying. Additionally, changes in the rate of speech, fluency, or reduced lip and tongue strength can also be signs of an injury or medical condition affecting speech intelligibility. Treatments may address oral-motor exercises to improve articulation.

Language:

Language difficulties can manifest in several ways. For instance, individuals may find it challenging to keep up with a fast-paced conversation, trouble understanding and following along in conversation, or express their wants and needs. Additionally, individuals may have trouble thinking of the word they want to say, which can also impact their communication. Speech therapy will provide a variety of therapeutic exercises to enhance an individual’s ability to comprehend what people say and communicate with others.

Swallowing:

Swallowing difficulties can arise due to various medical conditions or injuries, and can manifest in several ways. Some common signs and symptoms of swallowing difficulties include difficulty swallowing, coughing during and after meals, multiple episodes of aspiration pneumonia, and trouble chewing. Depending on the cause and severity of the swallowing difficulty, treatment options may include exercises to improve swallowing function, modifications to diet and texture of foods and liquids, VitalStim^® (NMES), or the use of assistive devices such as feeding tubes.

Voice:

Changes in volume or vocal quality of speech can occur due to a range of factors such as strokes, head injuries, progressive neurological conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and head, neck, and throat cancer. Depending on the cause, they may suggest various treatments such as voice therapy, LSVT LOUD, voice exercises, or vocal hygiene techniques to help improve your voice.

Stroke and Neurologic Therapy

Stroke and Neurologic Therapy involves providing individualized interventions for individuals with a variety of needs. These interventions include the training and utilization of compensatory strategies for speech, language, cognition, voice, and swallowing. Additional training is offered if the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices is needed. Speech therapists also focus on improving safety awareness, memory, attention, problem-solving, and reasoning to enhance overall safety and functioning in the home. A multidisciplinary approach is provided in order for the patient to receive the best quality of care.