Innovative Therapies - Speech Therapy

Phone: (228) 832-6221
Fax: (228) 832-4033
12296-B Ashley Drive, Gulfport, MS 39503

Innovative Therapies - Speech Therapy
A Speech-Language Pathologist evaluates and treats disorders of speech, language, voice, and swallowing. As part of an interdisciplinary treatment program, the speech language pathologist educates and counsels people on the impact of and strategies for communication disorders.

A Speech Languages Pathologist (SLP) assesses speech production, oral motor abilities, listening comprehension, verbal expression, reading, writing, and cognitive communication. A SLP also assesses a person's swallowing ability. A swallow evaluation looks at a person's ability to safely swallow food and liquid without it entering the person's airway. Based on the results of these evaluations, the speech language pathologist may recommend therapy to improve speech language of swallowing abilities.

A SLP will counsel and educate the patient and family members regarding the results of an evaluation, progress in treatment, treatment strategies, and the potential impact of communication and swallowing impairments on quality of life.

There are many causes of speech and language disorders or swallowing disorders:

Aphasia
Apraxia
Dementia
Dysarthria
Head and neck cancer
Parkinson's disease
ALS
Huntington's disease
Stroke and/or traumatic brain injury

Our SLPs at Innovative Therapies also work closely with dementia patients. If indicated, a SLP can assist a person with Alzheimer's use various strategies to preserve communication and cognitive functioning for as long as possible.
Examples of strategies include:

Using written cues for completing tasks or to assist memory recall
Developing "memory books" to assist in recalling personal information
, and training family members or caregivers in how to facilitate improved communication with the person with Alzheimer's

if the individual presents with swallowing problems, the SLP can work with the person ot ensure safe swallowing. This may include teaching compensatory strategies or altering the person's diet so that they can eat without risk of choking or illness. The ultimate goal of any intervention is to preserve the person's quality of life for as long as possible.

A qualified speech language pathologist is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CCC-SLP).
www.asha.org/public/speech/

An SLP must also have a master's degree and a state license.