Looking for someone that understands your diagnosis and provides hope for improvement in your quality of life? Our speech-language pathologists treat speech, language, cognitive communication, voice, swallowing, and fluency disorders, and other related conditions.
Treatment depends on the nature and severity of the speech disorder; however, the goals of every speech-related treatment program are to:
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Fully assess each individual and develop a comprehensive plan of care
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Help to understand his or her condition and to achieve a comfortable level of communication in personal and professional settings
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Encourage each patient to practice preventive measures and continue with a long-term home program to maintain progress
Who Can Benefit From Speech Therapy
Communication disorders can be a result of a stroke, traumatic brain injury, head and neck cancer, neurological disorders, and other medical conditions. They include:
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Aphasia, an acquired language disorder characterized by impaired comprehension and production of language as a result of brain damage (most often as a result of a stroke). It can dramatically impair a person's ability to communicate. The main symptom of aphasia is impairment in the ability to speak, while the understanding of speech, reading, and writing can also be impaired.
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Dysarthria, a speech disorder that results from weakness, paralysis, or incoordination of the muscles that control speech, resulting from neurological diseases and injuries. Dysarthria can result from progressive types of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. It can also result from an injury to the brain, such as stroke or head injury.
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Voice disorders, characterized by an abnormality in the pitch, loudness, duration, or quality of the voice. Hoarseness caused by vocal abuse or misuse is the most common voice disorder; however, infection, trauma, reflux, and cancer can also cause voice disorders.
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Cognitive-linguistic disorders, characterized by problems with attention, memory, organization, reasoning, and social skills that impact communication. A cognitive-linguistic disorder can be a result of a traumatic brain injury, concussion or stroke.
Swallowing Disorders
Your doctor or healthcare provider may have recommended that you be evaluated by a speech-language pathologist for a swallowing disorder, also called dysphagia.
This condition can accompany stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, dementia, or other neurological disorders. Swallowing disorders can also occur after treatment for head and neck cancers.
Speak Out!
We are certified in both LSVT Loud and SPEAK OUT! which are effective voice treatments for those with Parkinson's Disease.
SPEAK OUT! includes 12 individual speech therapy sessions, scheduled three times per week for four weeks. Participants learn to speak with INTENT, which has been shown to be effective for Parkinson’s patients to regain and maintain their voice and swallowing abilities.
These are individualized, one-on-one treatment sessions offered both in-person and via telehealth.
Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
A fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is a procedure used to assess how well you swallow. It allows the clinician to examine the throat structures & voice box closely and make recommendations about the safest and most effective way to swallow.
A FEES is recommended when swallowing difficulties are suspected. If you have difficulty swallowing, you may be at risk for food and/or liquids entering your lungs. This may lead to an infection in your lungs known as aspiration pneumonia.
You may also be at risk of not eating and drinking enough to maintain dietary requirements. This could lead to dehydration or malnutrition. The FEES is one of two tests that can be used to gather further information about how you swallow.
Our Approach
We provide personalized one-on-one evaluation and treatment sessions that are guided by the individual’s goals and the latest evidence in speech therapy practice. We work together as a team to help you meet your goals! Sessions are typically 40-45 minutes long.
What our patients say....
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's 8 years ago. I have been up and down with my workouts. Most of my free time has been used up by caring for my parents. During my last appointment with the neurologist I told them I was not taking good care of myself and wanted to restart PT and Speech therapy. Who would have know I was on the doorstep of meeting the most informative, helpful, fun to work with people in my eight years of having Parkinson's. Kathryn and Emily are the best !! They both are excellent at there jobs ! In the past I have been to other therapy places but did not feel the excitement of going to the next appointment. I often
made excuses to myself not to go. Not the case with ENGAGE. Emily and Kathryn have changed my outlook on life ! If I had the power they would be making more money ! Just great at there job !
RP
I have Parkinson's and I saw Kathryn Graves for speech therapy. Kathryn knows is very good at what she does, and is friendly and easy to work with. Using the SPEAK OUT program, she definitely helped improve my voice loudness.
SM