Speech Therapy
Speech therapists (also known as speech-language pathologists) evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with a wide variety of conditions that affect oral motor skills, swallowing, and speech and language abilities. Speech therapists at Flowers Hospital work closely with neurologists, ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctors, audiologists and other specialists to thoroughly evaluate patients and treat a variety of conditions and disorders, including:
- Cognitive communication disorders, including memory and problem-solving difficulties
- Fluency disorders
- Language disorders, such as aphasia
- Motor speech disorders, including dysarthria and apraxia
- Speech conditions resulting from Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis
- Swallowing disorders, such as dysphagia
- Voice disorders, including dysphonia
The speech therapy team at Flowers Hospital offers education, support and treatment strategies to improve communication and swallowing, utilizing a range of treatment options such as:
- Cognitive retraining, following stroke or other neurological impairment
- Customized exercises designed to strengthen muscles used in speaking or swallowing
- Electrical stimulation, such as VitalStim therapy, to improve swallowing ability by retraining motor nerves in the throat
- Modified barium swallow studies
- Nutrition or diet modifications
- Pediatric feeding therapy
- Recommendations and training for communication devices
- Videostroboscopy
The speech-language pathology team provides customized treatment plans to address each patient's unique challenges, and offer valuable information and encouragement to support each individual's goals.