Speech therapy is a specialized field that addresses communication disorders, memory and cognition, and trouble with swallowing. If you’re having difficulties with speaking, understanding language, reading, writing, or swallowing, the speech-language pathologists at AHN can help.
Speech therapy may be prescribed for difficulty with:
The speech-language pathologists at AHN are experts in helping people of all ages and abilities overcome these challenges to live fulfilling lives. Many of our therapists have additional training or certification in a variety of specialized areas, including Parkinson’s disease, brain injuries, lymphedema, oncology, and swallowing difficulties. Our goal is to help you get back to living your best life as soon as possible.
Contact one of our therapy services locations to schedule your speech therapy appointment, and we’ll match you with the right speech therapist.
Use the links below to learn more about AHN speech therapies:
Speech therapy for progressive neurological disorders
Parkinson’s disease speech therapy
If you have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), dementia, or another degenerative neurologic disorder, speech-language therapy can help you improve your communication skills, regain lost abilities, and learn strategies to compensate for areas you’re still struggling with.
Speech-language therapy can help treat challenges with:
Our speech therapists will help you increase vocal loudness, improve speech clarity, and enhance overall communication effectiveness if you have Parkinson’s disease. Speech therapy can help with the following Parkinson’s disease symptoms:
If you have experienced changes in communication and swallowing because of cancer treatment, our speech-language pathologists can help you return to your normal function. We can help with cognitive deficits, memory deficits, vocal challenges, difficulty with swallowing, difficulty opening your mouth (lockjaw), and laryngectomy or tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) management.
If you’ve had your voice box surgically removed (laryngectomy), a speech-language pathologist will help you adapt and find new ways to communicate, swallow, and breathe.
For voice changes, we’ll help you learn:
For swallowing changes, we’ll help with:
For breathing changes, we’ll help you:
At your first appointment, your speech therapist will evaluate your communication and swallowing abilities. Based on your needs, they’ll create a personalized treatment plan that includes exercises, strategies, and tools to help you regain your communication and swallowing skills. At each appointment, you’ll work with your speech therapist to practice new techniques and strategies. Your speech therapist will continue to monitor your progress and change your treatment plan as needed.
After you have experienced a stroke, speech therapy focuses on helping you with communication and swallowing difficulties that may happen as a result. Many people use all three types of therapy to help recover from a stroke. Physical therapy focuses on improving your physical mobility, strength, balance, and coordination, while occupational therapy focuses on improving daily living skills, such as dressing, bathing, and cooking.
Speech therapy for stroke patients may be prescribed if you’re having difficulty with:
If you have trouble swallowing, speech and swallowing therapy can help you get back to enjoying meals again. The goal of swallowing therapy is to help you eat safely and comfortably, reducing or eliminating the risk of food or liquid going down the wrong way (aspiration).
A speech-language pathologist certified in swallowing therapy techniques can help with:
Your speech therapist may also recommend special testing to help further understand your swallowing difficulties. This may include:
