Speech Therapy
Speech Therapists (also known as Speech-Language Pathologists) provide a wide range of services, mainly on an individual basis, but also as support for families, support groups, and the general public.
Speech Therapy services begin with an initial screening for communication and swallowing disorders and continue with assessment and diagnosis, consultation for the provision of advice regarding management, intervention and treatment, and provision of counseling and other follow up services for the following disorders;
- Cognitive aspects of communication (e.g., attention, memory, problem solving, executive functions).
- Speech (phonation, articulation, fluency, resonance, and voice including aeromechanical components of respiration);
- Language, including comprehension and expression in oral, written, graphic, and manual modalities.
- Swallowing or other upper aero-digestive functions and aeromechanical events (Evaluation of esophageal function is for the purpose of referral to medical professionals);
- Voice (hoarseness, poor vocal volume, rough, breathy, strained vocal quality). Research demonstrates voice therapy to be especially helpful with certain patient populations; individuals with Parkinson’s disease often develop voice issues as a result of their disease.
- Sensory awareness related to communication, swallowing, or other upper aero-digestive functions.
Source: Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., December 2013.