Speech Therapy and Swallowing Program

Speech and language pathologists provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for speech, language, cognitive, voice and swallowing disorders (dysphagia).

Head Injury and Stroke Recovery

Stroke, brain or spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease can cause speech or swallowing disorders. Our Neurological Rehabilitation program helps patients maximize their abilities and independence.

Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)

Using clinical examinations and X-ray studies, our speech-language pathologists evaluate swallowing disorders and design a personalized treatment program. Depending on the type of dysphagia and the symptoms, treatment may include:

• Biofeedback to teach correct muscle movements
• Exercises to strengthen swallowing muscles
• Sensory stimulation to increase muscle and nerve response
• Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (vital stim therapy)
• Education and recommendations on food and liquid consistencies that are easier and safer to swallow

Voice Program

Various injuries and illnesses can impair voice quality. We can help patients with:

• Laryngectomy, or surgical removal of the larynx, or voice box, including those with a prosthesis after tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP)
• Nodules or polyps on the vocal cords
• Spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological disorder that affects the muscles of the larynx
• Vocal cord paralysis from a virus or surgery

Depending on the underlying condition, treatment may include muscle retraining, education on vocal techniques to reduce polyps or avoid polyp development, training on the use and care of a TEP prosthesis, and other techniques to help maintain or regain vocal quality.