Treatment plays a critical role in helping individuals recover and manage communication, cognitive, and swallowing abilities after a stroke or brain injury.

Therapy may involve:

1. Treating Speech & Language Disorders

Many stroke and brain injury survivors experience aphasia (language impairment) or dysarthria/apraxia (speech motor disorders).

For Aphasia (Difficulty with Language)

• Word-finding exercises – Helping individuals recall and say words through cueing.

• Conversation practice – Encouraging structured conversations to improve speaking ability.

• Alternative communication (AAC) – Using picture boards, apps, or gestures for nonverbal individuals.

• Reading & writing support – Rebuilding literacy skills for daily life.

For Dysarthria & Apraxia (Speech Motor Difficulties)

• Oral motor exercises – Strengthening lips, tongue, and jaw muscles in functional contexts

• Slow, controlled speech practice – Improving pronunciation and clarity.

• Breath support training – Enhancing voice strength and volume.

2. Improving Cognitive-Communication Skills

After a brain injury, people may struggle with memory, attention, and problem-solving, affecting communication.

Therapy Activities Include:

• Memory strategies – Using written notes, calendars, and apps to remember information.

• Attention training – Practicing focus through structured tasks.

• Problem-solving exercises – Teaching strategies for handling everyday challenges.

• Social skills practice – Rebuilding confidence in conversations and relationships.

3. Treating Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)

A stroke or brain injury can weaken swallowing muscles, leading to choking risks and aspiration pneumonia.

Swallowing Therapy Includes:

• Modified diets – Adjusting food textures and liquids for safety.

• Swallowing exercises – Strengthening muscles for safer eating and drinking.

• Compensatory techniques – Teaching posture changes and special swallowing strategies.

4. Restoring Voice & Communication Confidence

Some individuals experience voice changes or lack confidence in speaking after an injury.

• Voice therapy – Strengthening vocal cords for improved speech.

• Fluency training – Reducing stuttering or hesitations.

• Counseling & emotional support – Helping individuals adjust to changes in communication.

5. Caregiver & Family Education

• Support daily communication.

• Use visual aids or technology to assist speech.

• Encourage patience and reduce frustration in conversations.

Treatment is highly contextualized, meaning it is designed to be realistic, functional, and directly relevant to the person's daily life. Instead of practicing isolated speech or language exercises, contextualized therapy integrates communication skills into real-world situations that the person encounters regularly.

Treatment focuses on maintaining independence, improving quality of life, and supporting communication for as long as possible. This may include:

1. Speech Therapy:

• Voice Therapy – Strengthening vocal muscles and improving breath support for louder, clearer speech

• Speech Clarity – Helping with articulation if muscle control declines

• Pacing & Fluency – Teaching slower, controlled speech to improve communication.

2. Language Therapy

• Expressive Language – Helping individuals find words, form sentences, and stay engaged in conversations.

• Receptive Language – Improving understanding of spoken and written communication.

• Alternative Communication Methods (AAC) – Introducing gestures, writing, communication boards, or speech-generating devices when needed.

3. Cognitive-Communication Therapy (For Memory & Thinking Challenges)

Neurodegenerative diseases often affect cognitive skills, leading to communication difficulties. Therapy may focus on:

• Memory Strategies – Using written reminders, apps, and visual cues to assist recall.

• Attention & Processing – Helping with focus and organizing thoughts in conversations.

• Problem-Solving & Reasoning – Training to navigate daily challenges effectively.

4. Swallowing Therapy (Dysphagia Management)

Many neurodegenerative diseases affect swallowing muscles, leading to choking risks. Treatment includes:

• Swallowing Exercises – Strengthening muscles to improve safety.

• Modified Diets & Liquids – Recommending textures that reduce choking risk.

• Compensatory Strategies – Adjusting posture or pacing during meals to prevent aspiration.

5. Caregiver & Family Training

• Educating loved ones on how to support communication and swallowing needs.

• Teaching strategies to reduce frustration and enhance understanding (e.g., simplifying language, using visual cues).

Common Neurodegenerative Diseases include:

• Alzheimer’s Disease

• Parkinson’s Disease

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

• Huntington’s Disease

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

• Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

Therapy involves a holistic, individualized approach for people who stutter. These methods go beyond just fluency techniques and focus on reducing the impact of stuttering on daily life, addressing both speech strategies and the emotional aspects of stuttering.

Treatment focuses on:

1. Overall Communication, Not Just Fluency

• Instead of just trying to "fix" stuttering, therapy helps the person communicate effectively and confidently, even if some stuttering remains.

2. Address Negative Emotions & Avoidance

• Many adults who stutter experience fear, embarrassment, or anxiety about speaking.

• Therapy helps individuals reduce avoidance behaviors and face challenging speaking situations in a safe, supportive way.

3. Stuttering Modification & Fluency Strategies

I incorporates evidence-based techniques like:

• Stuttering modification (e.g., cancellations, pull-outs, preparatory sets) to reduce struggle and tension.

• Fluency-shaping (e.g., slow speech, gentle onsets) for smoother communication.

• Voluntary stuttering (intentionally stuttering in a controlled way) to reduce fear and increase speaking comfort.

4. Education & Mindset Shift

• Help clients understand how stuttering works and that people who stutter can still be great communicators.

• Encourage self-advocacy, so individuals feel empowered to stutter openly instead of hiding it.

5. Personalized, Functional Therapy Goals

• Therapy is based on what the individual wants to achieve, whether that’s public speaking, job interviews, dating, or just feeling more at ease in daily conversations.

Adults may face challenges in social communication for many reasons, including difficulty maintaining topics, organizing thoughts, or feeling anxious in conversations. Speech-language pathology treatment can help with learning strategies to improve communication skills and confidence in the following areas:

• Topic Maintenance: Techniques to stay on topic, signal transitions, and keep conversations engaging.

• Thought Organization: Planning and sequencing ideas for clear, easy-to-follow communication.

• Confidence Around Speaking Skills: Practice, role-playing, and guided exercises to increase comfort and reduce communication-related stress.

• Turn-Taking & Conversation Flow: Recognizing cues, responding appropriately, and managing interruptions.

• Nonverbal Communication: Using facial expressions, gestures, and body language effectively.

• Clarification & Repair Strategies: Learning ways to ask for clarification or rephrase ideas when misunderstandings occur.

• Social Pragmatics: Adjusting tone, politeness, and formality depending on the context or audience.

• Topic Initiation: Starting conversations smoothly, asking questions, and engaging others.

Please note:

• Anxiety is not directly treated by SLPs. If anxiety significantly impacts communication, consulting a psychologist or mental health professional is recommended.

Specialized treatment designed to improve the sound, strength, and quality of your voice.

We work with individuals of all ages including teachers, singers, public speakers, and anyone whose voice is essential to their daily life.

Voice issues can result from:

• Hoarseness or vocal fatigue

• Voice loss or strain

• Changes in pitch, volume, or clarity

• Vocal nodules, polyps, or other voice disorders

• Voice issues related to neurological conditions

A personalized therapy plan may include:

• Vocal exercises to reduce strain and tension

• Breathing techniques for better support

• Healthy vocal habits and hygiene education

• Strategies to optimize pitch, loudness, and clarity

Please note: While not required, a referral from an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat specialist) is recommended to ensure that any underlying medical causes are properly diagnosed and managed.

Dysphagia can result from stroke, brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases. Treatment helps individuals eat and drink safely, and involves:

Swallowing Assessment

• Clinical Swallowing Evaluation – Observing how a person swallows food/liquids.

• Providing a Referral for Instrumental Tests:

  • Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS)

  • Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)

Once the cause is identified, a customized therapy plan may include:

1. Swallowing Exercises (Strengthen Muscles & Improve Coordination)

2. Safe Eating Techniques

• Postural Adjustments

• Pacing & Smaller Bites

3. Diet Modifications (If Needed)

• Thickened Liquids

• Soft/Pureed Foods

• Adaptive Utensils

3. Education & Training for Caregivers: Teach clients and caregivers how to:

• Use safe swallowing techniques at home.

• Prepare appropriate foods and liquids for the individual’s needs.

• Recognize warning signs of aspiration (e.g., coughing, throat clearing, wet voice).

See the Accent Modification Section for more details.