Douglas County Hospital offers both inpatient and outpatient speech and swallowing services from a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist. Speech-language pathologists work with individuals across the lifespan, from birth through adulthood. Individuals may need speech therapy for a variety of reasons, including:

• Developmental Delay

• Autism

• Down Syndrome

• Traumatic Brain Injury

• Vocal Nodules or Polyps

• Stroke

• Degenerative Diseases (e.g., Parkinson's Disease)

Below is a list of some of the many deficit areas that a speech-language pathologist

may be able to help with:

• Articulation (speech) disorders (e.g., difficulty with the correct pronunciation of sounds)

• Language disorders (e.g., difficulty understanding or expressing language through talking, writing, or reading)

• Cognitive deficits (e.g., difficulty with attention, memory, problem-solving, or reasoning)

• Swallowing difficulties (e.g., difficulty chewing or swallowing food and/or liquids)

• Fluency disorders (e.g., stuttering or cluttering)

• Voice disorders (e.g., chronic hoarseness, loss of voice, laryngectomy)

• Autism (e.g., addressing socials skills and appropriate use of eye contact)

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) (e.g., communication devices for those who can't speak on their own)

These lists do not encompass all reasons for speech therapy or all services that can be provided by a speech-language pathologist, but do provide an idea of why and when speech therapy may be appropriate.

Upon referral to our department, the speech-language pathologist will conduct a thorough evaluation of the speech, language, cognitive, or swallowing disorder and develop a customized treatment plan to help improve the area(s) of difficulty.

For more information about services offered through our Speech Therapy Department, or to inquire about making an appointment, please call us at (320)762-6048.