Speech Therapy

Speech and swallowing disorders can greatly impact your quality of life.

Good Shepherd’s team of speech language pathologists treats children and adults experiencing difficulties with speech, communication, cognition, voice, or swallowing as a result of illness or injury. We are experts in treating aphasia, voice disorders, cognition, communication issues, dysphagia and we also have several specially trained LSVT BIG and LOUD clinicians. Our goal is to help you meet your goals and achieve maximum results.

What is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy is a specialized service designed to address communication and speech-related challenges. At Good Shepherd Rehabilitation, we understand that communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, and we are committed to helping individuals of all ages overcome speech and language difficulties. Our speech therapy services encompass a wide range of conditions, from childhood language disorders to adult communication challenges resulting from injuries, strokes or other medical conditions.

Conditions Treated by Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is a versatile field that addresses various speech and language disorders, as well as related conditions. Conditions treated by speech therapy include, but are not limited to:

1. Speech Sound Disorders (Articulation and Phonological Disorders): These disorders affect the ability to produce speech sounds correctly, leading to difficulties in articulating words and forming clear speech.
2. Language Disorders: Language disorders can encompass expressive language (difficulty expressing thoughts and ideas) and receptive language (difficulty understanding language).
3. Stuttering: Stuttering is characterized by disruptions in the normal flow of speech, including repetitions, prolongations and blocks of sounds or words.
4. Voice Disorders: Voice disorders can affect pitch, volume, and quality of the voice, leading to hoarseness or other voice-related challenges.
5. Fluency Disorders: Beyond stuttering, other fluency disorders can impact the flow of speech, causing disfluencies like sound repetitions, prolongations and hesitations.
6. Communication Disorders in Children: This includes disorders related to language development, speech sound development, and early communication skills in children.
7. Aphasia: Aphasia is a language disorder that often results from brain injury or stroke and affects a person’s ability to speak, understand, read or write.
8. Apraxia of Speech: Apraxia is a motor speech disorder that affects the planning and coordination of the movements required for speech.
9. Dysarthria: Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that results from damage to the nerves or muscles controlling speech. It can lead to slurred or unclear speech.
10. Cognitive Communication Disorders: These disorders affect thinking, memory, problem-solving and social communication skills, often occurring after brain injury or neurologic conditions.
11. Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia): Speech therapists work with individuals experiencing difficulty swallowing due to medical conditions or injury, such as stroke or head and neck cancer.
12. Autism Spectrum Disorders: Speech therapy can help individuals with autism improve their communication and social interaction skills.
13. Developmental Delays: Speech therapists work with children and adults who have developmental delays in language, speech, or communication.
14. Traumatic Brain Injury: Speech therapy is often part of the rehabilitation process for individuals with traumatic brain injuries, helping them regain language and communication skills.
15. Neurological Conditions: Speech therapists can assist individuals with neurologic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in managing communication difficulties.
16. Head and Neck Cancer: After treatment for head and neck cancer, speech therapy can help individuals regain speech and swallowing abilities.

These are just a few examples of the conditions that speech therapy can address. Speech therapists develop individualized treatment plans to meet the specific needs and goals of each person, helping them improve their communication and quality of life.

The Work We Do:

At Good Shepherd Rehabilitation, our dedicated speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are highly trained professionals who work with individuals to evaluate, diagnose and treat various speech and language disorders. Our mission is to empower our patients with the skills and confidence to communicate effectively and regain their independence. Here’s an overview of the work we do:

1. Assessment and Diagnosis: We begin with a thorough evaluation of an individual’s speech, language and communication abilities. This assessment helps us identify the underlying issues and create personalized treatment plans.
2. Treatment and Intervention: Based on the assessment, our SLPs develop individualized therapy programs that focus on improving speech articulation, language comprehension, voice, fluency and cognitive-communication skills. Therapy sessions are designed to meet the unique needs of each patient.
3. Swallowing and Feeding Therapy: We also provide specialized care for individuals experiencing difficulties with swallowing and feeding, which can be caused by various medical conditions. Our team offers comprehensive evaluations and therapy to enhance these vital skills.
4. Voice Therapy: For those with voice disorders, our SLPs offer voice therapy to address issues such as vocal strain, hoarseness and loss of voice quality. We provide techniques to improve vocal health and quality.
5. Cognitive Communication Therapy: Individuals with cognitive-communication challenges following brain injuries or other neurological conditions can benefit from our therapy designed to enhance memory, problem-solving, and social communication skills.
6. Fluency/Stuttering Therapy: We provide specialized techniques to help those struggling with stuttering or other fluency disorders gain greater fluency and confidence in their communication.

The Role of Physiatrists in Speech Therapy

Physiatrists, or physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, are essential members of our team when speech and communication difficulties are associated with underlying medical conditions or injuries. Here’s how they contribute:

1. Medical Assessment: Physiatrists diagnose and assess the medical factors behind speech challenges, providing a deeper understanding of the root causes.
2. Collaborative Care: They work seamlessly with speech-language pathologists in interdisciplinary teams, ensuring comprehensive and integrated patient care.
3. Medication Management: When appropriate, they prescribe and manage medications that complement speech therapy, especially in cases involving neurological conditions.
4. Treatment Planning: Physiatrists contribute to comprehensive treatment plans, considering an individual’s overall health and coexisting conditions that may affect therapy.
5. Monitoring Progress: They track patient progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan as necessary, taking into account medical factors influencing therapy effectiveness.
6. Patient Education: Physiatrists educate patients and families about the medical aspects of speech and language disorders, including causes, expected outcomes, and lifestyle modifications.
7. Treatment Continuity: They ensure ongoing medical management alongside speech therapy, providing comprehensive and aligned care for improved communication skills.

With physiatrists on our team, we offer a holistic approach to speech therapy, addressing both the medical and rehabilitation aspects to provide you with the best possible care and outcomes.

Getting Started with Speech Therapy at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation:

If you or a loved one could benefit from speech therapy, getting started with us is easy and convenient. Here are the steps to begin your journey towards improved communication:

1. Referral: Your first step is to obtain a referral from your primary care physician or other healthcare professional. They will help determine if speech therapy is necessary.
2. Evaluation: After receiving your referral, our team will schedule an initial evaluation. During this session, we’ll assess your communication needs and develop a personalized therapy plan.
3. Therapy Sessions: Once the evaluation is complete and your therapy plan is in place, you can begin your therapy sessions. Our dedicated SLPs will guide you every step of the way, providing support, encouragement and expertise.
4. Progress and Follow-up: We monitor your progress throughout your therapy and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan to ensure the best possible outcomes. Our goal is to help you achieve your communication and swallowing goals.

At Good Shepherd Rehabilitation, we are committed to providing the highest quality of care to help individuals regain their ability to communicate effectively and enhance their quality of life. We understand that every person’s journey is unique, and our team is dedicated to creating tailored solutions for your specific needs.