SpeechTherapy



		SPEECH THERAPY
Home About Us Why this Clinic Exists Our Talented Therapists Intensive Therapy THERASUIT Method Universal Exercise Unit Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Speech Therapy Testimonials Lodging & Transportation Financial Policies Fundraising Events Contact Information Locations Helpful LInks Research Papers Newspaper Articles & Press Releases Therapies 4 Adults © 2006		WHAT IS SPEECH THERAPY? "It is the study of human communication, its development, and its disorders. A speech-language pathologist is a professional who is educated in these areas, and who, by "evaluating the speech and language skills of children and adults...determines what communication problems exist and the best way to treat them." -American Speech-Language and Hearing Association WHAT IS A SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST (SLP)? Speech-language pathologists specialize in human communication. They are professionals who diagnose, evaluate and treat communication problems such as speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive disorders. Education & Credentials Speech-Language Pathologists earn masters and/or doctoral degrees from colleges and universities accredited by the American Speech-Language Association (ASHA). "The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association awards a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. When you see a “CCC” designator after their degree, you know that a speech-language pathologist is ASHA-certified." "To gain this certification a speech-language pathologist must meet strict national requirements and attain the highest level of preparation for speech-language pathology service delivery. These requirements include obtaining an academic degree, completing 350 hours of supervised clinical hours, completing a supervised post-graduate clinical fellowship, and passing a national standardized examination in speech-language pathology. Also, in order to maintain state licensure rigorous continuing education requirements must be met each year." - American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. BENEFITS OF SPEECH THERAPY Speech therapy helps with improving receptive language skills: • Following directions • Identifying objects, pictures • Increasing receptive language vocabulary • Attending to tasks/activities • Problem solving Helps with improving expressive language skills • Using words, gestures, alternative and augmentative devices • Increasing expressive language vocabulary • Requesting • Expressing thoughts and ideas • Maintaining conversation Helps with improving speech • Increasing speech intelligibility Phonological disorders Articulation • Apraxia (motor speech movements) Helps with swallowing/feeding • Increase muscle strength • Increase coordination of movements