Speech Therapy

The speech therapist helps with communication and memory.

The speech-language pathologist is responsible for the evaluation and treatment of problems with communication, cognition, speech, language and swallowing. A speech therapist may meet with you to see how well you are swallowing food and liquids. If you are having problems with speaking, understanding, reading or writing, the therapist will prepare a plan to assist you. Individuals may experience difficulties in these areas following brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, or other neurological conditions.

Speech-Language Pathologists work with patients to achieve their goals by individualizing treatment programs with a wide variety of techniques including exercises and activities to improve swallowing, voice, speech, comprehension, expression, reading, writing, memory, attention, and other thinking skills. Specialized treatments also the include:

  • Therapeutic use of technology (smartphones and tablets)
  • Augmentative-Alternative Communication systems (DynaVox, Lingraphica, eye gaze and switch-based systems, alphabet and communication boards)
  • Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)
  • Neuro-muscular electronic stimulation for swallowing (VitalStim)
  • Bio-feedback
  • VisiPitch

The Center for Communication and Swallowing Disorders suite houses equipment to perform Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies (VFSS) on site, which are used for the assessment of swallowing function. Magee also offers dysphagia dining modifications and specialized dining areas for those working on improving their swallowing skills.

Speech-Language Pathologists provide daily individualized training, education, and resources for patients and their families in order to ensure a safe stay and a smooth discharge.