Communication is another vital function that can be significantly enhanced through therapy. Speech-Language Pathology is the study of disorders that affect a person’s communication and/or swallowing capabilities.

Patients span all ages.

     *  Children born with birth defects such as cleft palate, cerebral palsy, may begin speech therapy as newborns.

     *  Young children who only babble or play with sounds or who talk but are only understood by the parents should also be considered for speech therapy.

     *  Adult patients usually have health issues that affect the operation of the brain, such as stoke or traumatic brain injury, which impact the individual’s ability to communicate or swallow/eat.  The adult population may also include persons with degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and ALS. Speech pathologists work in medical, educational, and clinical settings.