Language Disorders can be developmental and start at a young age or can be acquired later in life from neurological changes like stroke or brain injury. Language Disorders result in speaking, listening, reading, and/or writing deficits. Our SLPs can aid in reducing the implications these impairments can have at school, home, and work.

A Cognitive-Linguistic Disorder results from decreased functioning in one or more of the following areas: attention, memory, problem solving, processing speed, orientation, sequencing, and organizing. Difficulty with any cognitive process can affect activities of daily living, communicating effectively, and overall safety. We focus on making treatment as functional and personalized as possible to increase patient satisfaction and carryover to daily environment.

Speech Disorders are not the same as Language Disorders, but patients can have both diagnoses. Speech Disorders indicate incorrect production of individual sounds that make up words. Speech Disorders in children can be due to distorting the sound (articulation), not knowing the rules of speech (phonological processing), or difficulty programming and planning the sounds (Childhood Apraxia of Speech, also known as CAOS). In adults, speech disorders usually arise from neurological damage and therefore will have difficulty executing the speech muscles (dysarthria) or can have acquired Apraxia of Speech (AOS), similar to the childhood type.

Pragmatic language refers to the social aspect of communication. A deficit in this area is characterized by difficulties using and understanding verbal language (word meaning, abstract vs. literal language, tone of voice, etc.) and nonverbal language (eye contact, facial expressions, body language, etc.) socially. We work with patients with pragmatic disorders at all ages to improve relationships and confidence in social situations!

Although you may not realize it, SLPs are the swallow specialists! From birth to elderly, we evaluate, diagnose, and treat feeding and swallowing disorders– also known as Dysphagia. Specifically in adults, Dysphagia can result in difficulty swallowing foods, liquids, and/or saliva due to impaired anatomy or movement of the structures in the mouth, throat, or esophagus. Pediatric Feeding Disorders indicate problems that are not age-appropriate while gathering, preparing, sucking, chewing, or swallowing foods or liquids. Beyond Speech Therapy has a comprehensive assessment and management protocol for dysphagia including the ability to complete Modified Barium Swallow Studies (a moving x-ray of your swallow), personalized home program, and in-session treatment.

Voice disorders are referred to as Dysphonia. Dysphonia means vocal quality, pitch, and/or loudness does not match one’s age, gender, cultural background, or geographic location. Excess muscle tension or pain in or around the voice box can also be related. Speech Therapists work closely with Otolaryngologists (Ear Nose and Throat doctors/ENTs) to manage Dysphonia. We utilize evidence-based methods to treat a wide range of disorders including vocal nodules, paralyzed vocal cords, vocal abusive behaviors, vocal fatigue, laryngospasm, Parkinson’s related changes, and more.

Everyone has disfluent speech from time to time. However, those who stutter have different types of disfluencies and have them more often. Some examples include repeating sounds, words, or phrases, stretching out a sound, or difficulty starting the word at all. Stuttering can change from day to day depending on how stressed, excited, or well-rested you are. Let us teach you or your child research-based tools to decrease stuttering episodes and increase confidence when communicating!

Biofeedback is a noninvasive technique that utilizes sensors attached to different parts of the body. Information is given regarding how the body is performing certain tasks which increases purposeful control of bodily functions. Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that specifically measures brainwaves and gives the patient real-time feedback about how the brain is working. We utilize both modalities at Beyond Speech Therapy in addition to traditional therapies to support rehabilitation.