About
Speech and language disorders keep you from being able to communicate and function effectively. We understand how frustrating that can be.
Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) is a health and rehabilitation profession designed to restore, maximize and maintain speech, language, cognitive and swallowing skills. This helps individuals function at the highest level of their ability, and increases their quality of life.
Speech-Language Therapy Goals
- Improve/restore functional communication, including the use of augmentative and alternative communication
- Visualize disordered swallow using Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) or Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
- Improve/restore functional swallow through altering consistency of foods and liquids
- Teach safe swallowing techniques and strengthen oral pharyngeal musculature
- Retrain cognition to improve memory, orientation and reasoning
- Provide patient and family education for exercises, home care, compensatory strategies, etc.
Speech and Language Disorders
Speech and language disorders include hereditary conditions, speaking difficulties such as stuttering, and delays in speech development in children. They can also be a result of injury or illness, such as:
- Stroke
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Neurological disorders (Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), other degenerative diseases)
- Bell’s Palsy
- Head and Neck Cancer
Spartanburg Regional’s speech-language pathologists (therapists) provide care based on research, expert clinical judgment and your individual needs. Our services are available while you are in the hospital or as an outpatient.
Speech-Language Evaluation
When you come to Spartanburg Regional for help with a speech or language problem, our speech-language therapists will first evaluate you using special diagnostic equipment and proven techniques.
Your doctor may refer you to be evaluated for:
- Speech and language disorders (difficulty speaking clearly)
- Voice disorders (such as hoarseness)
- Swallowing disorders (difficulty eating or drinking)
- Cognitive (thinking) problems (such as trouble remembering after a stroke)
- Stuttering
- Communication alternatives if you can’t speak (due to tracheotomy, laryngectomy or other conditions)
An evaluation may include assessment of speech, thinking skills, swallowing ability and voice usage. Swallowing studies may involve an X-ray or a fiber optic endoscope (a thin tube with a camera) to determine structures and muscle function of the throat.
Speech-Language Services
Once you have a diagnosis, your therapist will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to improve your specific areas of need.
Outpatient Speech-Language Therapy services include:
- Communication
- Augmented Communication
- Voice Therapy
- Tracheostomy/Passy Muir Speaking Valve
- Swallowing Therapy
- Cognitive Retraining
- Neurological Disorder Rehabilitation
- Oncology Rehabilitation
- Cochlear Implant Therapy
- MBSs (Modified Barium Swallow Studies)
- FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow)
Speech-Language Therapy Common Diagnosis
- Swallowing disorders
- Expressive/receptive impairment
- Aphasia
- Voice disorders
- Apraxia/dysarthria
- Stroke/brain injury
- Cancer
- Cognitive impairment
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson's disease
- Bell's palsy
- Fluency disorders
Get Started
If you think you would benefit from speech therapy, talk to your doctor about a referral. With a doctor's referral, we can schedule you for an evaluation right away, and together, take the first steps towards improvement.