Seeking help quickly is vital if you lose your ability to communicate.
Speech-language pathologists can help you regain communication skills such as speaking, listening, writing, reading and gesturing and recover deficits in swallowing and cognition.
“Don’t wait. If you see a change in yourself or your loved one, reach out,” says Kate Connell, MA, CCC-SLP, clinical specialist and a speech-language pathologist at the Good Samaritan Society.
Start with a referral from your primary care physician, neurologist or ear, nose and throat specialist. Or contact a Good Samaritan Society location to discuss your needs with our rehabilitation team. We provide assessments to determine how to treat your speech-language disorder.
What does speech-language pathology treat?
Speech-language pathologists help those who have experienced a stroke, brain injury, early cognitive decline, voice changes or side effects from medication. They can also help with information recall, problem solving, focusing and restoring swallowing ability.
Specific issues that speech-language pathologists treat include:
- Articulation disorders
- Cognitive-communication disorders
- Expressive disorders
- Fluency disorders
- Language expression and comprehension challenges
- Receptive disorders
- Resonance disorders
- Slowed or slurred speech
- Swallowing difficulties
What ages can benefit?
People of any age can find the support and help they need with speech therapy. And although the Good Samaritan Society’s services are usually aimed at older adults, we provide speech, physical and occupational rehab therapy for all ages.
Individuals are provided with exercises specific to their disorder, age and needs.
How long does treatment take?
The timeline for speech-language pathology intervention depends on the degree of need, the severity of the disorder, and the motivation of the patient.
“I have worked with patients who see an improvement after the first session or the first week,” Kate says. “Our job is to find those underlying processes that are disordered and go after them. We celebrate even the slightest bit of improvement from session to session.”
What are the overall benefits and success rate?
The goal of the Society’s rehab team is to help you feel like yourself again.
The importance of speech-language pathology can often be overlooked. Personalized treatment programs allow you to regain skills and learn new strategies for communicating, thinking and swallowing safely. All of which can help you stay socially active and independent.
“There is nothing more rewarding than having a patient say they can do something now that they couldn’t do last week,” states Kate.
If you or a loved one could benefit from speech-language pathology services, we provide personalized treatment.
