Speech Therapy
MDH Speech-Language Pathologists evaluate and treat patients of all ages with disorders of speech, language, cognition, memory, voice, and swallowing. MDH Speech-Language Pathologists provide services to inpatients, outpatients, and home health patients.
Our Speech-Language Pathologists have obtained a Master’s degree from an accredited program and have completed, or in the process of completing a post graduate Clinical Fellowship. In addition, they have passed a national examination to obtain their professional credential called the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language Pathology Hearing Association (ASHA). They have also maintained their license to practice Speech-Language Pathology in the State of Illinois by completing the required continuing education annually and demonstrating appropriate standard of professional conduct.
Conditions Treated
MDH Speech-Language Pathologists treat patients with a variety of diagnoses/conditions including but not limited to:
- Dysphagia (difficulties swallowing)
- Stroke
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Neurological disease
- Parkinson Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Cerebral Palsy
- Laryngectomy
- Head and neck cancer
- Voice disorder
- Developmental delay
- Language delay/disorder
- Stuttering
- Articulation and phonology delay/disorder
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
Services Provided
Our speech-language pathologists provide a wide range of services based on the individual needs of the patient. Support for the individual being treated and their families is also provided. We provide comprehensive evaluation services and individualized treatment plans for the following areas:
- Speech: Difficulty producing speech sounds correctly (articulation/phonology) or fluently (stuttering).
- Language: Trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings (expressive language). Language disorders may be spoken or written and may involve the form (phonology, morphology, syntax), content (semantics), and/or use (pragmatics) of language in functional and socially appropriate ways. Additional areas of language treatment may include difficulties with literacy skills, language processing, or phonological awareness.
- Cognitive aspects of communication: Problems with attention, memory, thought organization, planning, problem solving, or executive function. These disorders typically occur as a result of a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or dementia.
- Voice: Abnormal production of vocal quality, pitch, loudness, resonance, and/or duration. This may include poor vocal volume (hypophonia), abnormal vocal quality (e.g. hoarse, rough, breathy, strained), vocal cord dysfunction, or vocal cord paralysis.
- Swallowing: Feeding and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), which may be attributed to an illness, surgery, stroke, injury, or age.
In addition to those mentioned above, our SLPs also have experience with and provide the following specialized services:
- Assessments for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Instrumental examination of the swallowing function with the use of Video Fluoroscopic Swallow Studies (VFSS)
- FREE pediatric speech and language screenings ages 2-6 years old (no order from doctor required)
- Evaluation and treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders/behavior difficulties
Goal
Our goal is to improve an individual’s ability to effectively communicate and to maximize function of oral structures and swallowing to promote independence and quality of life.
How Do I Receive Speech Therapy?
- Discuss concerns with your doctor and ask if speech therapy services would help.
- Get an order for speech therapy from your doctor with a diagnosis code.
- Call (309) 836-1601 to set up an evaluation after an order has been obtained.
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