Speech Therapy

What is ST or SLP?

Is a healthcare profession that specializes in communication and swallowing disorders, also known as Speech Language Pathology (SLP). SLP services begin with an initial screening for communication and swallowing disorders and continue with assessment and diagnosis, provide advice regarding managing, treating, counseling, and follow up services for these disorders.

HOW DO SLP’s TREAT? Speech Therapy

• Exercises
• Prompt Therapy
• Cognitive training
• Augmentative Alternative Communication devices

Swallow Therapy

• Exercises

Deep Pharyngeal Neuromuscular Stimulation

WHAT AREAS ARE ADDRESSED BY SLP’s?

Cognitive aspects of communication

• attention, memory, problem solving, executive functions

Speech

• phonation, articulation, fluency, resonance, and voice including aeromechanical components of respiration

Language

• phonology, morphology, syntax, and pragmatic/social aspects of communication including comprehension, and expression of oral, written, graphic and manual modalities

Swallowing Voice

• hoarseness, low volume, and abnormal vocal quality

Sensory awareness related to communication and swallowing

WHAT CONDITIONS DO SLP’s TREAT?

Neurologic

• CVA (stroke)
• MS (multiple sclerosis)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Neuropathy
• SCI (spinal cord injury)
• TBI (traumatic brain injury)
• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)

Developmental

• CP (cerebral palsy)
• MR (mental retardation)
• ASD (autism spectrum disorder) or PDDs (pervasive developmental disorders)
  • Autism
  • Aspenger’s disorder
  • Pervasive development disorder (not otherwise specified)
  • Rett’s disorder
  • Childhood disintegrative disorder