Speech Pathology

Our Services

Evaluation and treatment for speech-language disorders and delay in children.
The diagnostic evaluation includes an in-depth assessment of the child’s speech and language skills. The evaluation may be formal or informal, including a combination of standardized tests, direct observation of play and interaction with parent and parent report. Results from the speech and language evaluation may lead to referrals to other professionals, enrollment in a speech-language therapy program or recommendations for enrollment in such a program through schools.

Evaluation and treatment for speech-language disorders secondary to neurologic disorders and disease.
The evaluation of neurologic speech-language impairments uses both standardized and informal diagnostic tests. The nature of the tests administered depends on the specific deficits of the individual patient. Disorders targeted for assessment include Aphasia, Apraxia, Dysarthria and deficits pertaining to higher-level language/cognition. Results of these evaluations assist the clinician in targeting functional goals for treatment

Evaluation and treatment for speech, voice and resonance disorders secondary to head & neck cancers and their treatments.

Persons undergoing treatments for cancer can have many different types of swallowing or communication problems, including sound articulation disorders related to surgical removal of oral cavity cancers; hoarseness or voice loss following removal of all or part of the larynx or voice box; and too much nasal resonance (hypernasality) following surgical removal of part of the soft palate. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may also result in difficulty speaking clearly, due to changes in saliva, tongue mobility and sensation. These treatments may also cause hoarseness or voice changes as a result of throat dryness or increased acid reflux.

Evaluation and treatment for voice disorders related to underlying structural pathology or behavioral etiologies.
Voice problems include hoarseness, breathiness, vocal fatigue, or the use of a voice that is too low or too high in pitch. A voice that is too loud or too soft can also be problematic. Sometimes the voice spasms or breaks, such as in the rare voice disorder, spasmodic dysphonia.

Evaluation and treatment for resonance (palatal) disorders.
Speech pathologists work as members of the cleft palate/craniofacial team at the Medical Center’s Craniofacial Center. Using traditional perceptual judgments of oral-nasal resonance balance and sophisticated instrumentation, such as nasopharyngoscopy, Nasometer, and pressure-flow assessment, specialists can determine whether there is a structural defect.

Evaluation and treatment for fluency and swallowing disorders.
Evaluation of swallowing disorders is completed through Clinical Swallow Evaluations and Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies. The clinical evaluation allows the speech pathologist to observe the patient, often during meal times for inpatients and through administering food items to outpatients, to determine the safety and appropriateness of oral feeding.

The videofluoroscopic swallow study is completed in conjunction with Radiology. This assessment allows the speech pathologist to further evaluate the oral and pharyngeal swallow in real time with the use of fluoroscopic X-ray.

Our Team