Speech Language Pathology Adult Services
Speech-language evaluations and intervention are provided for adults with a variety of communication needs. Typical referrals and therapy techniques are listed below. Click on a category for more information.
- Aphasia
- Cognitive/linguistic deficits
- Language-based learning disabilities
- Motor speech disorders
- Speech sound or articulation disorders including:
- Phonological impairment
- Multiple speech sound errors
- Apraxia of speech
- Stuttering
- Voice disorders or hoarseness
Aphasia:
Difficulty: Using language to communicate. Limitations in gesturing, speaking, understanding, reading and writing.
Resulting from:
- Stroke
- Brain injury
- Other neurological disorders
Therapy emphasis: Improving overall communication skills and compensating for long term difficulties.
Cognitive/linguistic deficits:
Difficulty: Impaired communication due to altered thinking abilities. May include decreased attention and concentration, memory, organization, problem solving and abstract reasoning skills.
Resulting from:
- Stroke
- Brain injury
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Multi-infarct dementia
- Other neurological disorders
Therapy emphasis: Improve thinking, reasoning, planning and memory skills related to communication. Teach strategies to compensate for long term deficits.
Dementia/Alzheimer’s disease:
Difficulty with memory functions affecting independent living skills. Therapy would emphasize developing teachniques to maintain functional memory skills. See cognitive/linguistic deficits for further information.
Language-based learning disabilities:
Difficulty: Long term struggles with speaking, understanding information, reading and writing which may affect job performance and daily social interactions. Typical onset in childhood.
Resulting from:
- Learning disability
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Central Auditory Processing Disorder
- Language impairment
- Genetic syndromes
- Family history
- Unknown cause
Therapy emphasis: Develop language and communication skills and strategies to promote success in education, employment and social settings.
Speech Sound or Articulation Disorders:
Difficulty: Speech sounds are unclear and hard for others to understand.
Resulting from:
- Cerebral palsy
- Cleft palate
- Delay in acquiring age appropriate speech sounds
- Developmental Apraxia of Speech
- Genetic syndrome
- Hearing Impairment
- Oral motor delays/impairment
- Phonological impairment
- Second language learner
- Unknown origin
Therapy emphasis: Facilitating clear speech development for effective communication.
Motor speech disorders:
Difficulty: Speech is difficult to understand.
Resulting from:
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- ALS
- HIV/AIDS
- Other degenerative neurological conditions
Therapy emphasis: Improving or maintaining clarity of speech. Augmentative communication systems can be implemented as needed.
Stuttering:
Difficulty: Disruptions in the natural flow of speech that interfere with communication.
Resulting from:
- Genetic predisposition
- Environmental factors
- Unknown cause
Therapy emphasis: Improving overall speech fluency and communication effectiveness.
Voice disorders or hoarseness:
Difficulty: Voice sounds hoarse, harsh or unnatural; problems with pitch and loudness.
Resulting from:
- Chronic laryngitis
- Vocal abuse (i.e. excessive/faulty voice use)
- Vocal nodules or polyps
- Pitch breaks
- Quiet voice
- Cancer
- Laryngectomy
- Granuloma
- Acid reflux (GERD)
- Spasmodic dysphonia
- Neurological conditions (e.g. Parkinson’s, Amiotropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), etc….)
- Unknown cause
Therapy emphasis: Improving voice quality and function. Assistive devices may be used if needed (e.g. electrolarynx).
