Speech Therapy
Southeast Hospital
Reviewed 2/8/2023
Speech therapy quiz
True or false?
Speech-language pathologists treat a wide variety of communication and swallowing problems. How much do you know about the many types of disorders speech therapy can address?
Start the quiz
True or false: Speech-language pathologists work only in outpatient settings.
FALSE. Speech-language pathologists work in many settings. You might find them in grade schools, colleges and universities, private practices, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals.
True or false: Speech therapy is mainly helpful for children.
FALSE. Speech-language pathologists work with people of all ages to treat many types of communication and swallowing problems, including:
- Stuttering.
- Learning disabilities involving reading, spelling and writing.
- Voice, language and swallowing disorders caused by problems like stroke, cancer or brain injury.
True or false: Speech therapy might help someone who has autism interact socially with others.
TRUE: All people with autism have social communication problems. Speech-language pathologists can educate and train them how to greet others and ask questions; speak in ways appropriate to the listener and setting; and follow social norms for conversation, like taking turns at talking or how close to stand to someone while conversing.
True or false: Speech-language pathologists help people learn to swallow food.
TRUE: A swallowing disorder can lead to problems like poor nutrition and weight loss. Speech-language pathologists can help people learn to manage swallowing problems (called dysphagia) in order to suck, chew and swallow food and liquid properly.
True or false: Speech therapy can help with how your voice sounds.
TRUE: Speech-language pathologists address a variety of voice problems. If you sound hoarse or lose your voice easily, speech therapy can help. Speech-language pathologists can also address other voice issues like talking too loudly, talking through your nose or being unable to make sounds.
What's the best way to take care of your voice? Find out by taking this voice care quiz.
Problems with speech or swallowing can feel deeply personal. At SoutheastHEALTH, our speech therapists take the time to understand your challenges and create a treatment plan just for you. We work one-on-one to help you reach your goals.
Speech Therapy for Children and Adults
People of all ages can face speech and swallowing issues. Our team offers inpatient and outpatient speech therapy for kids and adults. We can address a variety of needs, including:
- Cognitive deficits, like issues with memory or solving day-to-day problems
- Difficulty saying speech sounds (articulation disorder), such as saying "tat" instead of "cat"
- Stuttering, also known as fluency disorder
- Feeding and eating disorders, like having food get in the lungs or difficulty sealing lips on a cup
- Language disorders, such as trouble forming sentences, reading or writing
- Phonological disorder, in which classes of sounds cause trouble—such as saying "t" sounds for "k" and "g," or leaving the ends off of words
- Swallowing disorders (dysphagia), which may be caused by neurological conditions like stroke or Parkinson's disease
- Vocal cord dysfunction, such as difficulty breathing during stressful activities that isn't caused by asthma
- Voice disorders, such as hoarseness, that cause trouble with how the voice sounds
No matter your age or health concern, you can expect compassionate, expert care from our speech therapists.
Specialized Speech and Language Therapies
Our team is dedicated to finding the best ways to care for your family.
Our speech therapists partner with occupational therapists, physical therapists and other providers. Together, we design a treatment plan that works for you. Your goals are our goals.
The specialized treatments we offer include:
Alternative communication devices. In cases where someone needs a communication device, we'll help train them and their family on how to use it.
Cognitive therapy. One of our therapists is certified by the Society for Cognitive Rehabilitation. This certification is given to therapists who demonstrate clinical skills and meet education and other requirements for treating people who have neurologically based disturbances.
LSVT LOUD®. This program, also known as Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, improves voice and speech for people with Parkinson's disease.
Oncology rehabilitation. In cases for those who have difficulty swallowing or impaired thinking due to treatments for cancer.
Pharyngeal electrical stimulation. This treatment helps address swallowing disorders.
Ask for a Speech Therapy Referral
To connect with one of our speech therapists, ask your provider for a referral.