MaineHealth speech-language pathologists (SLPs) help adults and children with speech, communication and swallowing issues.
What is a speech-language pathologist (SLP)?
SLPs assess, diagnose, treat, and help prevent speech, language and communication disorders. They work with people who:
- Cannot make speech sounds or cannot make them clearly
- Have speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering
- Have voice quality problems, such as an inappropriate pitch or harsh voice
- Have problems understanding and producing language
- Have cognitive communication problems, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving disorders
- Have oral motor problems that cause eating and swallowing difficulties.
SLPs work in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, schools and private practices.
People with the following conditions may benefit from speech and swallowing therapy
- Aphasia/ Apraxia / Dysarthria (language disorders)
- Autism-spectrum disorders
- Cognitive-communication disorders
- Dementia
- Developmental delays
- Memory impairments
- Brain injury
- Neurological disorders
- Stroke
- Vocal cord dysfunction
- Voice disorders
- Stuttering
- Swallowing disorders
Pediatric speech therapy and swallowing therapy
Speech and language are important to a child’s development and learning. Feeding and swallowing are critical to growth. Speech and swallowing therapy can help children with:
- Speech delays
- Problems making sounds and words
- Stuttering
- Brain injury
- Autism-spectrum disorders
- Problems feeding and swallowing
A doctor’s referral is required for speech and swallowing therapy.
