Speech language pathologists on the acute rehabilitation unit specialize in the evaluation and treatment of adult and geriatric patients with impairments in communication, cognition and swallowing. The team collaborates with patients who have recently experienced a decline in their functional status to develop a treatment plan that will maximize their ability to participate actively in daily life. The patient's treatment plan focuses on some or all of the following:
Communication:
- Speech Disorders: Commonly referred to as dysarthria or apraxia, these disorders impact the correct production and sequencing of speech sounds. The speech language pathologist will assess the patient's articulation, fluency, rhythm and rate to develop an appropriate treatment plan that helps improve the patient's ability to communicate.
- Language Disorders: Often referred to as asphasia, a language disorder impacts a patient's ability to talk, listen, read and write. The speech language pathologist will assess these various areas of the patient's communication and develop an individualized treatment plan.
- Voice Disorders: The speech language pathologist will perform a clinical evaluation of a patient's voice and develop the correct treatment plan to increase the quality and efficiency of voice through excercises. We offer the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Program for patients who have impaired voice and communication due to Parkinson's disease.
- Laryngectomy: The speech language pathologist will evaluate and treat, fit and/or replace a voice prosthesis and/or other communication devices after surgery to remove throat cancer.
Cognition: Impairments in the areas of orientation, attention, memory, problem-solving, reasoning, perception, information processing and new learning can interfere with a patient's ability to return safely to normal activities and hobbies. The speech language pathologist will help improve patient skills and abilities in these areas.
Swallowing: Commonly referred to as dysphagia, a person's ability to eat and drink safely can be altered. The speech language pathologist will perform a clinical swallow evaluation and/or a video swallow study (X-ray test) to assess swallow function and determine the appropriate exercises, swallow strategies and diet recommendations to return the patient to consuming the foods and refreshments he or she enjoys. We offer VitalStim therapy for the treatment of swallowing disorders, depending on individual needs.
All of the speech language pathologists at Advocate Christ Medical Center are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed by the state of Illinois.
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