Reasons to See a Speech Pathologist

There are many reasons to visit a speech pathologist – such as to treat a speech impediment like a lisp or stutter, to help you recover function that was lost after a stroke, or to help diagnose and treat issues with the tongue and throat.

Communication is the bedrock of any functioning society, so people who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally can benefit tremendously from speech therapy. A variety of methods are used, from individual one-on-one therapy to larger group sessions.

DIAGNOSING SWALLOWING DISORDERS

In addition to facilitating better speech, conditions that can be treated by speech pathologists include swallowing disorders (dysphasia). Both children and adults who exhibit difficulty swallowing can benefit from seeing a speech pathologist, because they have specialized knowledge of how the mouth and throat work together.

To pinpoint the issue, a swallowing test will be administered. The client will be given food to swallow, and the pathologist will watch via X-ray video how the food is moving through the mouth and throat.

The speech pathologist will then explain to the patient how best to manage the issue that was observed on the screen. For example, the pathologist may recommend taking pills with yogurt or pudding rather than with liquids.

The pathologist may also recommend seeing a neurologist or other type of physician for further evaluation and treatment.

TREATING CHILDREN WITH SPEECH ISSUES

Children learn how to speak by listening to adults and surrounding voices. Initially, they might mimic voices and words they hear as they learn the correct pronunciation of words.

But children who exhibit a problem with proper speech patterns should receive treatment as soon as possible. Children with speech issues who begin speech therapy before the age of 5 tend to have a much better outcome than those who begin at a later age.

Children may see a speech pathologist for the diagnosis and treatment of:

• Hearing impairment
• Birth defects, such as a cleft palate
• Articulation disorders
• Issues with oral-motor reflexes
• Autism
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Cognitive delays
• Weak oral or tongue muscles

If a child exhibits difficulty in understanding new words, difficulty expressing themselves, or difficulty in communicating, seek professional help as soon as possible.

PATHOLOGY OF ORAL OR THROAT ISSUES IN ADULTS

Some problems with speech and swallowing appear in adults for a variety of reasons, such as a traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease), or multiple sclerosis (MS).

Speech therapy can help someone who is diagnosed with an illness that affects the speech by taking proactive steps, including strengthening the mouth and throat muscles and learning how to utilize muscles that are working well rather than those that aren’t working well.

People who emigrate to a new country and have a thick accent retained from their native language can also benefit from speech therapy. They can learn how to maneuver the mouth and palate to more correctly pronounce difficult words, because different languages use different parts of the mouth and tongue.

SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS IN WOOSTER

If you or a family member suffers from difficulty speaking, swallowing, or understanding others’ speech, contact the speech pathologists at Wooster Community Hospital. We can assist with diagnosing and treating any type of condition related to the mouth and throat.

You can contact us by calling (330) 202-3300 or request a consultation online. We look forward to taking care of you and your family.