When someone young or old finds it difficult to communicate due to hearing, language processing or speaking deficiencies, there is a special type of professional who can help them: a speech pathologist.

Speech pathology is also referred to as speech therapy. The role of the speech therapist is to help people develop or improve their ability to communicate with others.

Who needs speech therapy?

Many stroke survivors have aphasia, or an inability to get the correct words out despite knowing what they want to say. Aphasia occurs when the area of the brain that controls language and speech is damaged.

A patient with a traumatic brain injury, or one caused by a fall, a bullet or a car crash, can have many of the same problems concentrating, thinking and speaking as a stroke victim can.

Besides helping victims of brain injury, speech therapists can assist children and adults with a variety of other conditions that affect their language, vocal and speaking skills, including:

• Developmental delays
• Learning disabilities
• Cerebral palsy
• Cleft palate
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Heavy accent
• Stuttering
• Difficulty swallowing/eating

Speech therapy methods

Speech and language therapy for children and adults can be accomplished in a classroom, in a small group setting, or one-on-one in a therapy center or a home environment. The therapist may engage the patient using a variety of means:

• Talking to him or her and using a combination of objects, photos, books and conversation to stimulate language skills
• Having the patient repeat the correct sounds the therapist makes, to improve their ability to articulate sounds and the words
• Engage the patient in oral exercises and facial exercises to strengthen the patient’s mouth and facial muscles
• Introduce food of varying textures and temperatures, to stimulate the patient’s awareness of food and of eating
• Instructing patients in the use of language and speech aids, including automated equipment and sign language

What speech therapy can do

Speech therapists can help children and adults of all ages with a wide range of disabilities to develop the skills they need to communicate their thoughts and needs to others, feel more at ease in social situations, and carry out day-to-day tasks.

It all begins with an evaluation at Raulerson Hospital. Contact the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation center at 863-467-6659 to learn more about our inpatient and outpatient therapy programs.

Need a physician referral? Call Consult-A-Nurse^® at-1-800-449-8642, or visit Raulerson Hospital online.