Speech Pathology - voice and swallowing disorders, speech, language and cognitive disorders

A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is trained to evaluate and treat disorders of speech, language, cognition, voice, and swallowing. The causes for communication disorders can vary, and can occur at any point in time. Our SLP works one-on-one with the patient to evaluate and treat vocal quality, swallowing ability, verbal communication, auditory comprehension, and cognitive-linguistic ability, as indicated. Evaluations may include both objective and standardized testing, as well as instrumental evaluations including Videstroboscopy, Modified Barium Swallow Study (Video Fluoroscopy), and Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing.

Comprehensive Diagnostic & Treatment Services:

Dysphagia (swallowing) evaluation and treatment by therapist certified in Vital Stim Therapy
Videostropboscopic Evaluation and Voice therapy to remediate disorders in vocal quality, volume, prosody and resonance
Speech-language therapy to improve comprehension and expression
Cognitive retraining
Videoflouroscopy Services: a specialized modified barium swallow study (MBSS) to aid in swallow evaluation and provide additional information
Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
Laryngeal Sensory Testing
Pharyngeal pH Probe

Patients with the following conditions can benefit from Speech Pathology:

Difficulty swallowing – this may present as any of the following: food “sticking”, runny nose/watery eyes specific to meal times, coughing/choking during mealtimes, difficulty with complex consistencies (dry solids, mixed solids/liquids, etc.), recurrent pneumonia
Voice changes – hoarse, raspy, breathy, strained/strangled, or whispered vocal quality. Sudden or gradual onset
Chronic hoarseness, cough, throat discomfort
Changes in speech intelligibility
Cognitive-linguistic deficits that may include functional organization of information, attention to task, problem solving abilities, and safety awareness
Word finding difficulty that is interfering with functional communication
Aphasia
Memory deficits impacting functional independence – can address compensatory strategies as well as patient/family education to improve functional communication within the home
Brain Injury
Stroke or other neurological disorders (Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, etc.)
Fluency Disorders (stuttering, cluttering)
Head and Neck Cancer

Online Speech Language Pathology (SLP) Resources

www.asha.org – Learn more about Speech-Language Pathologists and how they can make improvements in the lives of their patients at .

www.vitalstimtherapy.com – VitalStim® Therapy is a non-invasive, external electrical stimulation therapy for the treatment of dysphagia used as an adjunct therapy to improve recovery time and therapeutic outcomes.

www.spohnc.org – Support for People with Oral, Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC) is a self-help nonprofit organization involved in the development of programs of support. As such it can have an enormous positive impact on meeting the psychosocial needs of patients as well as preserving, restoring and promoting physical and emotional health. Our Speech Pathologist a co-facilitator for the Northwest Florida Chapter that meets monthly.