Speech and Language Pathology

The Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center offers a comprehensive program of evaluation and treatment for people who have developed speech, language, swallowing or cognitive deficits following an injury or illness.

The speech and language pathology staff works with all medical disciplines, including neurosciences, otolaryngology, radiology, oncology and general medicine for adults.

Among the services provided by speech therapists at the center are:

• Direct patient care
• Consultation with professionals within an interdisciplinary team
• Education for the patient, their loved ones and their caregivers

Speech and Language Services

Speech and language pathology services include a comprehensive range of evaluative, preventive and rehabilitative services to those with communicative cognitive and swallowing disorders.

The staff develops and implements individualized treatment plans that focus on re-establishing functional and reliable communication. Treatment goals may also address specific communicative-cognitive deficits through a variety of facilitatory and compensatory treatment techniques.

Patients who have swallowing disorders receive a comprehensive evaluation, which may include a videofluoroscopic swallowing study to achieve safe swallowing. Swallowing treatment, including VitalStim® and diet modification, follow as needed. Patients with voice problems receive a complete evaluation which may include a videostroboscopic evaluation if prescribed by their physician.

Patients Served

Speech and language pathology services may benefit individuals with acquired difficulty in speech, language, memory, cognition and swallowing, secondary to:

• Stroke
• Brain tumor
• Neurological conditions
• Neuromuscular disease
• Head and neck surgery or radiation
• Trauma

Disorders treated include:

• Aphasia
• Apraxia
• Attention deficits
• Cognitive deficits
• Dysarthria
• Dysphagia
• Glossectomy
• Laryngectomy
• Tracheotomy
• Voice disorders