Speech Therapy

What is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy is one of the three main types of rehabilitation therapy. It helps people regain important communication skills. Speech therapy can be completed as an inpatient or outpatient therapy program.

Older African American male working with a speech pathologist during speech therapy session at Good Samaritan Society.

Benefits of Speech Therapy

Personalized treatment programs allow people to regain skills and learn new strategies for understanding, communicating, thinking, problem solving and swallowing safely. All of which can help them stay socially active and independent.

Specifically, speech-language pathologists can help people with speaking, voice, language comprehension, reading, writing, fluency and augmentative communication. They can also help people improve deficits in swallowing that impact their ability to enjoy a regular diet and typical liquids.

They can also help with aspects of cognition, including memory, attention, executive functions, sequencing and planning.

Find a location near you or call us at (855) 918-1262 to learn more about our speech therapy programs.

Young adult male working on speech recognition during speech therapy with a speech pathologist.

Common Speech Disorders

Speech-language pathologists help those who have experienced a stroke, brain injury, cancer, progressive neurological disease, early cognitive decline, vocal pathology, or side effects from medication.

Specific issues that speech-language pathologists treat include:

Augmentative communication needs
Articulation disorders
Cognitive-communication disorders
Expressive disorders
Fluency disorders
Receptive language disorders
Slow or slurred speech
Swallowing difficulties
Voice and resonance disorders

Read more about why speech therapy is a crucial part of recovery.

Middle-aged white male practicing facial expressions during speech therapy with a speech pathologist.

Techniques and Approaches in Speech Therapy

Speech therapists use a variety of methods to help people, including:

Biofeedback or SeMG
LSVT Loud
McNeil Dysphagia Therapy Program
Melodic Intonation Therapy
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
Oral motor exercises
Phonological processing
Progressive cognitive retraining exercises
Speak with INTENT
Targeted swallowing exercises such as the Masako, Mendelsohn maneuver, Shaker, Supraglottic maneuver or Effortful swallow
Vocal function exercises such as Easy Onset, Laryngeal glides or others
And many others

Middle-age African American woman participating in a speech therapy session with a speech pathologist.

Choosing the right speech therapist near you

Your speech therapist should provide personalized treatment to meet your needs, using a whole-person approach to caring for the body, mind and soul.

Choose a location that makes you feel comfortable, supported and encouraged. Convenience and safety are also important factors to consider. Read more about how to choose the right rehabilitation program.

Find a speech therapy location near you.

Senior male patient working with a speech pathologist at the Good Samaritan Society.

Find a Good Samaritan Society location

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