Speech Therapists, also known as Speech Language Pathologists, work with patients to evaluate, diagnose and treat speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders.

Aphasia

Aphasia is a disorder that results from damage to the language area of the brain after stroke or brain injury. It can affect a person’s ability to speak, listen, read and write. The Speech Therapy program is designed to improve an individual's ability to communicate by helping the person to maximize remaining abilities, regain skills through evidence-based drills and exercise, and teach alternative ways to express ideas and needs through simple gestures, alphabet boards, or electronic or computer-based equipment. An important part of aphasia therapy is teaching caregivers and family members the strategies needed to help improve communication.

Apraxia

Apraxia is difficulty communicating due to a disruption in muscle coordination that affects the muscle movements necessary to say words.  Dysarthria is an impairment that affects the strength and speed of the muscles of the mouth, face and respiratory system.

After a stroke, the muscles of speech may need to be “retrained” to produce sounds and words correctly. An MCMC Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) can provide an individualized training and exercise program to help regain strength, coordination, speed and agility for improved clarity of speech. Additionally, an SLP can teach speech strategies such as pacing and signaling to enhance preserved abilities.

Voice Therapy

Voice disorders may occur as a result of neurological events (i.e. stroke, Parkinson ’s disease), injury, illness, vocal misuse/overuse, or exposure to chemical substances. Many people with voice disorders experience changes in pitch, loudness, quality and possibly, loss of voice. Voice therapy involves teaching good care of the voice structures through vocal hygiene, reducing/stopping vocal abusive behaviors, and direct voice treatment to alter pitch, loudness, or breath support for good voicing. Stress reduction techniques and relaxation exercises are often taught as well.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia occurs when there is a problem with the swallowing process anywhere from the mouth to the esophagus. It commonly occurs following stroke, treatments for head and neck cancer (radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery), brain injury, tracheostomy or diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The MCMC Speech Language Pathology swallow rehabilitation program works with patients to prevent malnutrition, dehydration, social isolation, reduced quality of life, and aspiration pneumonia (food, liquid or saliva entering the lungs).

Occupational therapy helps patients improve their ability to perform tasks in living and working environments. The occupational therapist works with individuals who suffer from a mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling condition.

Occupational therapists use treatments to develop, recover, or maintain the daily living and work skills of their patients. The therapist helps clients not only to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, but also to compensate for permanent loss of function.

The goal of occupational therapy is to help patients live independent, productive, and satisfying lives.

Physical therapists provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Their patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, and head injuries.

Physical therapy treatments often include exercise, especially for patients who have been immobilized or who lack flexibility, strength, or endurance. The physical therapist encourages patients to use their muscles to increase their flexibility and range of motion. More advanced exercises focus on improving strength, balance, coordination, and endurance. The goal is to improve quality of life and to improve how an individual functions at work and at home.