Speech Therapy

Speech therapy provides evaluation and treatment to individuals with communication and swallowing deficits. Communication issues can be related to speech problems such as the clarity of what one says or to the quality of their voice. Communication problems also encompass the ability to put together words to express one’s thoughts. Speech therapists also assess and treat swallowing impairments due to developmental delays, stroke, or traumatic injury. Valley Regional Hospital provides speech therapy to individuals of every age on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Therapy is designed to improve functional skills so that individuals are able to communicate successfully with family and community members and preserve swallowing abilities.

Our Speech/Language Pathologist, also known as Speech Therapist, assesses our clients’ speech, language, cognitive-communication, as well as their oral, feeding, and swallowing skills. Following each evaluation, our speech therapist develops a plan of care to address parent/client goals and works closely with family members as appropriate toward those goals.

Speech Therapy for Children

• Developmental Delays, such as late talkers.
• Voice and communication disorders or difficulty producing speech sounds, so that they can express themselves clearly.
• Loss of language and speech skills after a stroke or due to other medical conditions such as Cleft Palate, Down syndrome, etc.

Speech Therapy for Adults

• Loss of language and speech skills after a stroke, voice disorder, or due to neurological/medical diagnoses such as Parkinson’s Disease, Cleft Palate, Cerebral Palsy, ALS, Down Syndrome, and Multiple Sclerosis.
• Swallowing and feeding difficulties after stroke and other neurologic diseases – this is not uncommon. Modified Barium Swallow Studies are completed with a Radiologist to thoroughly identify swallowing problems and disorders.