What is Speech Language Pathology?

Speech-language pathology (also known as speech therapy) is an essential part of healthcare as it focuses on optimizing an individual’s ability to communicate and to swallow, thereby improving quality of life. No matter our age, we use communication skills every day to express our wants & needs, share ideas & stories, and build meaningful connections with those around us. The evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of various communication and swallowing disorders is provided by a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), also referred to as a Speech Therapist.

What parts of communication and swallowing do SLPs treat?

Speech sounds—how we say sounds and put sounds together into words. Other words for these problems are articulation or phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, or dysarthria.

Language—how well we understand what we hear or read and how we use words to tell others what we are thinking. In adults this problem may be called aphasia.

Literacy—how well we read and write. People with speech and language disorders may also have trouble reading, spelling, and writing.

Social communication—how well we use language to interact with individuals around us, including our ability to adapt our communication based on social context. This is also called pragmatics.

Voice—how our voices sound. We may sound hoarse, lose our voices easily, talk too loudly or through our noses, or be unable to make sounds.

Fluency—also called stuttering, is how well speech flows. Someone who stutters may repeat sounds, like t-t-t-table, use "um" or "uh," or pause a lot when talking. Many young children will go through a time when they stutter, but most outgrow it. Fluency also encompasses cluttering.

Cognitive-communication—how well our minds work. Problems may involve memory, attention, problem solving, organization, and other thinking skills. This can include treating patients with ADHD, Traumatic Brain Injuries such as concussions or stroke, neurological diseases, long COVID, etc. 

Feeding and swallowing—how well we suck, chew, and swallow food and liquid. A swallowing disorder may lead to poor nutrition, weight loss, and other health problems. This is also called dysphagia.

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Speech Therapy at Central Valley Medical Center

At Central Valley Medical Center, our licensed Speech therapists collaborate closely with other healthcare professionals to secure a comprehensive and holistic approach to your health. Our team is dedicated to your well-being utilizing evidence-based approaches, ensuring that you receive the highest standard of care. Inpatient, Outpatient, and home health services are available.

Our Speech-Language Services include: 

• Comprehensive evaluations:
  • Speech Evaluation - an assessment of individual articulation abilities, phonological processes, and when appropriate an assessment for presence of dysarthria and/or apraxia of speech
  • Language Evaluation - an assessment of receptive and expressive language
  • Fluency Evaluation - an assessment for stuttering and cluttering
  • Cognitive-Communication Evaluation - an assessment of cognitive skills including memory, attention, information processing, problem solving and executive functions and how an individual uses them to communicate
  • Dysphagia/Swallowing Evaluation - an assessment of feeding and swallowing function
• Treatment:
  • Articulation therapy for speech sound errors
  • Pediatric Language therapy
  • Adult Language therapy for communication disorders (e.g. Aphasia) and cognitive communication disorders secondary to concussions, stroke, etc.
  • Pragmatic/social skills therapy for autistic individuals
  • Fluency therapy for stuttering and cluttering
  • Voice and Resonance therapy
  • Dysphagia therapy
  • SPEAK OUT! Voice therapy for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease