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Accent Reduction
If you speak English with an accent, you may have trouble being understood by others, especially on the phone. This can lead to missed employment opportunities and job advancement, as well as many social disadvantages.
Your speech therapist will analyze your speech sounds and most prevalent grammatic/syntactic differences, and design a fun program to target the sounds and language skills that will make the most impact on your speech.
Treatment frequency: Typically one time per week, which allows time for practice in between sessions.
If you speak English with an accent, you may have trouble being understood by others, especially on the phone. This can lead to missed employment opportunities and job advancement, as well as many social disadvantages.Your speech therapist will analyze your speech sounds and most prevalent grammatic/syntactic differences, and design a fun program to target the sounds and language skills that will make the most impact on your speech.
Treatment frequency: Typically one time per week, which allows time for practice in between sessions.
Aphasia/Language Problems
Many people who have had strokes and some other medical conditions have difficulty speaking and understanding language. This is called aphasia. There is nothing more frustrating than knowing you want to say something, and not being able to get it across.
Your speech therapist will pinpoint your or your loved one’s exact trouble areas, and use research-based techniques to get you communicating more effectively. Some examples of therapy approaches are Melodic Intonation Therapy, Treatment for Aphasic Perseveration, Visual Action Therapy, and individually designed treatment programs. Interactive Metronome Therapy can also be helpful.
Treatment frequency: Research indicates that intensive frequency is most effective for aphasia. Four to five times a week is recommended. The number of sessions depends on the individual’s severity of impairment and response to treatment.
Many people who have had strokes and some other medical conditions have difficulty speaking and understanding language. This is called aphasia. There is nothing more frustrating than knowing you want to say something, and not being able to get it across.Your speech therapist will pinpoint your or your loved one’s exact trouble areas, and use research-based techniques to get you communicating more effectively. Some examples of therapy approaches are Melodic Intonation Therapy, Treatment for Aphasic Perseveration, Visual Action Therapy, and individually designed treatment programs. Interactive Metronome Therapy can also be helpful.
Treatment frequency: Research indicates that intensive frequency is most effective for aphasia. Four to five times a week is recommended. The number of sessions depends on the individual’s severity of impairment and response to treatment.
Articulation (Pronunciation) Problems
Many children and adults have difficulty producing some speech sounds, which can impair understanding and create hesitation with speaking.
Your speech therapist will evaluate your or your child’s speech, and target the sounds that will make the most overall impact. Fun drill work—focusing both on producing sounds and perceiving them correctly—can be quite effective in improving both understanding of, and confidence in, your voice.
In addition to traditional therapeutic approaches, an enhanced biofeedback approach to elicit clear speech is available, which can substantially reduce the number of sessions needed. It is called the "Palatometer." (See "Palatometer" under Services).
Treatment frequency: Usually scheduled between one and three times per week. The number of sessions depends upon the extent of the issue and how the individual responds to treatment.
Many children and adults have difficulty producing some speech sounds, which can impair understanding and create hesitation with speaking.Your speech therapist will evaluate your or your child’s speech, and target the sounds that will make the most overall impact. Fun drill work—focusing both on producing sounds and perceiving them correctly—can be quite effective in improving both understanding of, and confidence in, your voice.
In addition to traditional therapeutic approaches, an enhanced biofeedback approach to elicit clear speech is available, which can substantially reduce the number of sessions needed. It is called the "Palatometer." (See "Palatometer" under Services).
Treatment frequency: Usually scheduled between one and three times per week. The number of sessions depends upon the extent of the issue and how the individual responds to treatment.
Breathing Problems/COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a combination of emphysema and bronchitis. People who have COPD, and other breathing problems, are likely to lose physical strength because their muscles don’t get enough oxygen. And the coordination of breathing and swallowing is difficult, often causing problems consuming enough calories and liquid.
Your speech therapist will take measures on your breathing and your swallow. She will teach you effective breathing techniques that allow muscles to be nourished by oxygen, and then strengthen them for easier and safer swallowing. And, through gentle, hands-on treatment, your therapist will influence your tissues to perform at their best level. This program is not for active smokers.
Treatment frequency: Dependent upon the ability of the participant to practice the exercises outside of therapy. Twice a week is average. The number of sessions depends on the individual’s severity of impairment and response to treatment.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a combination of emphysema and bronchitis. People who have COPD, and other breathing problems, are likely to lose physical strength because their muscles don’t get enough oxygen. And the coordination of breathing and swallowing is difficult, often causing problems consuming enough calories and liquid.Your speech therapist will take measures on your breathing and your swallow. She will teach you effective breathing techniques that allow muscles to be nourished by oxygen, and then strengthen them for easier and safer swallowing. And, through gentle, hands-on treatment, your therapist will influence your tissues to perform at their best level. This program is not for active smokers.
Treatment frequency: Dependent upon the ability of the participant to practice the exercises outside of therapy. Twice a week is average. The number of sessions depends on the individual’s severity of impairment and response to treatment.
Dementia
Many people with dementia feel lost and confused. When a person starts to have trouble finding their way, handling finances and requesting information, they may withdraw from their social network. They become under stimulated, which can lead to even further decline. However, at each stage of the disease, from mild to severe, people with dementia have strengths that a therapist can build on to increase independence, and keep them socially connected. Knowing what these strengths are, and how to nurture them, can enhance function and quality of life, both for caregivers and for those with the disease.
Your speech therapist can perform testing to determine the stage of dementia. She can then expose preserved strengths, and give guidance on visual/perceptual/cognitive deficits. This can help caregivers have realistic expectations, cut down on frustration, and keep the person with dementia meaningfully engaged in life.
Treatment frequency: The frequency of dementia intervention is highly individual.
Many people with dementia feel lost and confused. When a person starts to have trouble finding their way, handling finances and requesting information, they may withdraw from their social network. They become under stimulated, which can lead to even further decline. However, at each stage of the disease, from mild to severe, people with dementia have strengths that a therapist can build on to increase independence, and keep them socially connected. Knowing what these strengths are, and how to nurture them, can enhance function and quality of life, both for caregivers and for those with the disease.Your speech therapist can perform testing to determine the stage of dementia. She can then expose preserved strengths, and give guidance on visual/perceptual/cognitive deficits. This can help caregivers have realistic expectations, cut down on frustration, and keep the person with dementia meaningfully engaged in life.
Treatment frequency: The frequency of dementia intervention is highly individual.
Interactive Metronome
Interactive Metronome is an exciting computer-based therapy approach that makes the brain work faster. The participant wears headphones, and watches a computer screen, while clapping to a steady pulse. Constant feedback is given to show how close or far away from the beat the claps are. Research has shown that this simple method helps improve math, language, concentration, focus and auditory comprehension; decreases aggression; and helps with the physical precision that athletes need. Interactive Metronome can be used by children as well as adults to enhance academic and cognitive performance. It can also be paired with stuttering therapy (see our link for stuttering on left-side menu).
Your speech therapist will take pre- and post-measures on brain function and communication, and guide you or a loved one through six levels of training. The initial levels work on timing and rhythm, and then you progress with sustained focus, sensory and timing skills. Your therapist will add activities to your routines that specifically address your best performance.
Click here to see what prerequisite skills children need in order to participate in this therapy.
Treatment frequency: Number and duration of sessions required may vary according to individual needs. Typically, fifteen 1-hour sessions are required over a three to five week period, optimally three to five times per week. Success in the program depends, in part, on the effort and diligence in performing the IM activities.
Interactive Metronome is an exciting computer-based therapy approach that makes the brain work faster. The participant wears headphones, and watches a computer screen, while clapping to a steady pulse. Constant feedback is given to show how close or far away from the beat the claps are. Research has shown that this simple method helps improve math, language, concentration, focus and auditory comprehension; decreases aggression; and helps with the physical precision that athletes need. Interactive Metronome can be used by children as well as adults to enhance academic and cognitive performance. It can also be paired with stuttering therapy (see our link for stuttering on left-side menu).Your speech therapist will take pre- and post-measures on brain function and communication, and guide you or a loved one through six levels of training. The initial levels work on timing and rhythm, and then you progress with sustained focus, sensory and timing skills. Your therapist will add activities to your routines that specifically address your best performance.
Click here to see what prerequisite skills children need in order to participate in this therapy.
Treatment frequency: Number and duration of sessions required may vary according to individual needs. Typically, fifteen 1-hour sessions are required over a three to five week period, optimally three to five times per week. Success in the program depends, in part, on the effort and diligence in performing the IM activities.
Palatometer (Pronunciation Tool)
The palatometer is an effective tool to correct speech impediments much more quickly than traditional therapy. The clinician and the client can watch, on a computer screen, how the position of their tongues change. The client gets visual feedback, both from the clinician modeling the correct tongue placement and from targets that appear on the screen for specific speech sounds. This technique has been studied for a range of disorders, and has been noted to both improve speech when traditional therapy has failed, and greatly reduce the amount of therapy time with persistent sound issues. The palatometer can be used successfully with children as young as four, through adults. An informational video can be seen here.
Treatment frequency: Two to three times per week, for an average of 20 sessions (depending upon the extent of the issue).
The palatometer is an effective tool to correct speech impediments much more quickly than traditional therapy. The clinician and the client can watch, on a computer screen, how the position of their tongues change. The client gets visual feedback, both from the clinician modeling the correct tongue placement and from targets that appear on the screen for specific speech sounds. This technique has been studied for a range of disorders, and has been noted to both improve speech when traditional therapy has failed, and greatly reduce the amount of therapy time with persistent sound issues. The palatometer can be used successfully with children as young as four, through adults. An informational video can be seen here.Treatment frequency: Two to three times per week, for an average of 20 sessions (depending upon the extent of the issue).
Parkinson’s Disease/Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson’s facts:
1. Pneumonia is the #1 cause of death in Parkinson’s disease. And it’s not just any pneumonia; it’s a very specific type, called “aspiration” pneumonia. When a person swallows, food and drink need to go down the right tube, to end up in the stomach. If food goes down the wrong way in a healthy person, it is usually coughed out. In Parkinson’s disease, food and drink can go down the wrong way and end up in the lungs, and the person doesn’t even feel it. Since it can’t be digested there, it sits, becomes infected, and this is what we call aspiration pneumonia. Many cases of aspiration pneumonia are preventable with appropriate therapy.
2. Eighty-nine percent of Parkinson’s patients have trouble with their voices. Four percent get help. Many people with Parkinson’s are not aware that their speech is getting softer and more difficult to understand. If you have not noticed changes in your speech, but a spouse, caretaker or friend has, pay attention to their comments. Do people ask you to repeat yourself? Do you have trouble being understood on the phone? The earlier a person receives a baseline speech evaluation and therapy, the more likely he or she will be able to maintain communication skills as the disease progresses. Here is an example of what speech therapy can do for the Parkinson’s-affected voice. This change is the result of Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) ®. It has also proven effective with Multiple Sclerosis.
3. Many people with Parkinson’s disease also have trouble with drooling. The treatment for it is simple and we have found it to be highly effective.
Your speech therapist will evaluate your or your loved one’s swallowing and voice, and determine the most effective treatments. This may include Expiratory Muscle Strength Training, a simple and effective treatment, which has been shown to reverse aspiration in Parkinson’s disease. It may involve further instrumental swallow testing, gentle tissue manipulation and strengthening exercises, and/or LSVT ®.
Treatment frequency: Voice treatment for Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis is very intensive, and requires four 1-hour sessions per week for a month. Sessions may need to be 90 minutes, if additional concerns are addressed.
LSVT is a trademark of LSVT Global, LLC, registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Parkinson’s facts:1. Pneumonia is the #1 cause of death in Parkinson’s disease. And it’s not just any pneumonia; it’s a very specific type, called “aspiration” pneumonia. When a person swallows, food and drink need to go down the right tube, to end up in the stomach. If food goes down the wrong way in a healthy person, it is usually coughed out. In Parkinson’s disease, food and drink can go down the wrong way and end up in the lungs, and the person doesn’t even feel it. Since it can’t be digested there, it sits, becomes infected, and this is what we call aspiration pneumonia. Many cases of aspiration pneumonia are preventable with appropriate therapy.
2. Eighty-nine percent of Parkinson’s patients have trouble with their voices. Four percent get help. Many people with Parkinson’s are not aware that their speech is getting softer and more difficult to understand. If you have not noticed changes in your speech, but a spouse, caretaker or friend has, pay attention to their comments. Do people ask you to repeat yourself? Do you have trouble being understood on the phone? The earlier a person receives a baseline speech evaluation and therapy, the more likely he or she will be able to maintain communication skills as the disease progresses. Here is an example of what speech therapy can do for the Parkinson’s-affected voice. This change is the result of Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) ®. It has also proven effective with Multiple Sclerosis.
3. Many people with Parkinson’s disease also have trouble with drooling. The treatment for it is simple and we have found it to be highly effective.
Your speech therapist will evaluate your or your loved one’s swallowing and voice, and determine the most effective treatments. This may include Expiratory Muscle Strength Training, a simple and effective treatment, which has been shown to reverse aspiration in Parkinson’s disease. It may involve further instrumental swallow testing, gentle tissue manipulation and strengthening exercises, and/or LSVT ®.
Treatment frequency: Voice treatment for Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis is very intensive, and requires four 1-hour sessions per week for a month. Sessions may need to be 90 minutes, if additional concerns are addressed.
LSVT is a trademark of LSVT Global, LLC, registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Stuttering
Stutterers tend to show differences from non-stutterers in parts of the brain that control movement and sensation. Stuttering can be mild, or it can be devastating, causing shame and humiliation. There are three million stutterers in the US today, and most do not have access to adequate treatment. As a stutterer, you do not need to surrender helplessly to your speech difficulty. You can learn to communicate with ease, rather than effort. There is no quick and easy way to tackle stuttering, but when you have a high level of commitment to the process, therapy can be effective for preschoolers through adults.
If you are a parent, wondering if your child will grow out of stuttering, an evaluation can tell with 93% accuracy whether stuttering will persist. If it is the kind that persists, it is best addressed early on.
We have an excellent approach for preschoolers through age12, that has a strong evidence base, called the "Lidcombe Program." It is a parent training tool. We have seen great results with it, and the children find it to be lots of fun! Above age 12, we have several fluency techniques, and for 14 year olds and above, we have another evidence based program called the "Camperdown" method. If desired, Interactive Metronome can be paired with stuttering therapy, as it helps train brain timing.
Your speech therapist will examine your or your loved one’s speech and determine exactly where it breaks down. She will work with you on the best approach for you to gain greater control over your speech, to recover fluency when you lose it, and to help prevent trouble from occurring in the first place.
Treatment frequency: Most successful fluency plans involve one time a week training, and homework assignments that expand your ability to control your speech. The number of sessions over time is variable, depending upon the severity of the stutter.
Stutterers tend to show differences from non-stutterers in parts of the brain that control movement and sensation. Stuttering can be mild, or it can be devastating, causing shame and humiliation. There are three million stutterers in the US today, and most do not have access to adequate treatment. As a stutterer, you do not need to surrender helplessly to your speech difficulty. You can learn to communicate with ease, rather than effort. There is no quick and easy way to tackle stuttering, but when you have a high level of commitment to the process, therapy can be effective for preschoolers through adults.If you are a parent, wondering if your child will grow out of stuttering, an evaluation can tell with 93% accuracy whether stuttering will persist. If it is the kind that persists, it is best addressed early on.
We have an excellent approach for preschoolers through age12, that has a strong evidence base, called the "Lidcombe Program." It is a parent training tool. We have seen great results with it, and the children find it to be lots of fun! Above age 12, we have several fluency techniques, and for 14 year olds and above, we have another evidence based program called the "Camperdown" method. If desired, Interactive Metronome can be paired with stuttering therapy, as it helps train brain timing.
Your speech therapist will examine your or your loved one’s speech and determine exactly where it breaks down. She will work with you on the best approach for you to gain greater control over your speech, to recover fluency when you lose it, and to help prevent trouble from occurring in the first place.
Treatment frequency: Most successful fluency plans involve one time a week training, and homework assignments that expand your ability to control your speech. The number of sessions over time is variable, depending upon the severity of the stutter.
Swallowing Disorders
Chewing for a long time
Coughing
Choking
Aspiration pneumonia
Delayed swallow initiation
These can be signs of a swallowing problem known as dysphagia. Eating may be tiring, or even dangerous, as food and drink can go down the wrong way. If the food/drink ends up in the lungs, the lungs can get infected, which is called aspiration pneumonia. There are many things that can help improve the swallow and minimize the danger.
For example, your speech therapist can gently massage your swallow to get the muscles/tissues to work faster (manual therapy). She can work with you to strengthen your tongue and throat through exercise, and use different textures, tastes and temperatures to make swallowing safer. Your therapist will teach you safe swallowing guidelines to prevent pneumonia, and restore the pleasure associated with eating and drinking.
Treatment frequency: Based on individual needs, but usually between one and four times per week. The number of sessions depends on the individual’s severity of impairment and response to treatment.
Chewing for a long timeCoughingChokingAspiration pneumoniaDelayed swallow initiationThese can be signs of a swallowing problem known as dysphagia. Eating may be tiring, or even dangerous, as food and drink can go down the wrong way. If the food/drink ends up in the lungs, the lungs can get infected, which is called aspiration pneumonia. There are many things that can help improve the swallow and minimize the danger.
For example, your speech therapist can gently massage your swallow to get the muscles/tissues to work faster (manual therapy). She can work with you to strengthen your tongue and throat through exercise, and use different textures, tastes and temperatures to make swallowing safer. Your therapist will teach you safe swallowing guidelines to prevent pneumonia, and restore the pleasure associated with eating and drinking.
Treatment frequency: Based on individual needs, but usually between one and four times per week. The number of sessions depends on the individual’s severity of impairment and response to treatment.
Voice Disorders
Hoarseness
Vocal fatigue
Throat pain
Nodules
If you use your voice professionally, like teachers, lawyers, actors, and singers do, you can run into trouble just when you need your voice the most. The problem may have already led to surgery, such as removal of vocal nodules. Your speech therapist will guide you to experience the feeling of healthy voicing. A set of gentle exercises will be designed specifically for your needs, to coax out and strengthen the voice that will best serve you. The goal is safe and healthy vocal use, so you can speak or sing effectively and confidently.
Before a voice treatment program is initiated, it is advisable to have an examination by an otolaryngologist, because a proper diagnosis will lead to more effective treatment.
Treatment frequency: One to three sessions per week, with practice in between. The number of sessions depends on the individual’s severity of impairment and response to treatment.
HoarsenessVocal fatigueThroat painNodulesIf you use your voice professionally, like teachers, lawyers, actors, and singers do, you can run into trouble just when you need your voice the most. The problem may have already led to surgery, such as removal of vocal nodules. Your speech therapist will guide you to experience the feeling of healthy voicing. A set of gentle exercises will be designed specifically for your needs, to coax out and strengthen the voice that will best serve you. The goal is safe and healthy vocal use, so you can speak or sing effectively and confidently.
Before a voice treatment program is initiated, it is advisable to have an examination by an otolaryngologist, because a proper diagnosis will lead to more effective treatment.
Treatment frequency: One to three sessions per week, with practice in between. The number of sessions depends on the individual’s severity of impairment and response to treatment.
