SERVICES

A fiberoptic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) test is a procedure used to assess/determine how well you swallow. During this procedure, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) passes a thin, flexible instrument tube which has a tiny camera and light attached to it through your nose and into your pharynx. Then the SLP views parts of your throat as you swallow different food and liquid consistencies. A FEES test can help assess if you are having any problems with any part of the swallowing process. 

Dysphagia is the medical term used to describe difficulty swallowing, a symptom that only occurs when attempting to swallow. A swallowing disorder may lead to poor overall nutrition/hydration, weight loss, and other health complications.  

Apraxia is a motor speech disorder that makes it difficult to speak. 

Cognitive-Communication disorders are problems with communication that have an underlying cause in a cognitive deficit rather than a primary language or speech deficit. A cognitive-communication disorder results from impaired functioning of one or more cognitive processes, including the following: Attention, Memory, Problem Solving, Organization Skills, Sequencing Skills.

How well an individual is able to read and write. Individuals with speech and language disorders may in some cases have difficulty reading and writing. 

Your voice may sound hoarse, breathy, strained, strangled, decreased loudness, or you may not be able to produce sound.

VitalStim is a type of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) used to treat both the pediatric and adult populations with dysphagia/swallowing disorders. It is a non-invasive, external electrical stimulation therapy cleared to market by the Food and Drug Administration.

Aphasia is the loss of ability to understand or express speech due to brain damage. 

Types of Aphasia:

• Global aphasia. This is the most severe form of aphasia.

• Broca's aphasia

• Mixed non-fluent aphasia 

• Wernicke's aphasia 

• Anomic aphasia 

• Primary Progressive Aphasia

Dysarthria is a condition in which the muscles used for speech are too weak and or difficult to control. Common causes of dysarthria include nervous system (neurological) disorders such as stroke, brain injury, brain tumors, and conditions that cause facial paralysis or tongue or throat muscle weakness.

Language- how well we understand what we hear or read and how we use words to tell others what we are thinking.”

Speech-the expression of or the ability to express thoughts and feelings by articulate sounds.”

Pragmatics is how well we are able to follow rules, turn taking skills, how we speak to different people, how close we stand to someone when speaking with them, etc. 

How well an individual’s speech is produced. Someone who stutters when speaking may repeat sounds, have difficulty initiating speech or pause a great deal when speaking.