Speech and Language Therapeutic Services

Speech and Language Therapeutic Services at Salem Institute of Rehabilitation

The Salem Institute of Rehabilitation is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals facing communication and swallowing challenges. Our Speech and Language Therapeutic Services are designed to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders, providing personalized and effective interventions to improve our patients' overall well-being and quality of life. We understand the critical role that effective communication and safe swallowing play in daily activities, social interactions, and overall independence. Our team of qualified and licensed Speech-Language Therapists (SLTs) is committed to helping patients regain or improve their communication abilities and swallowing function, enabling them to participate more fully in life.

Comprehensive Assessment and Diagnosis

Our services begin with a thorough assessment to identify the specific nature and extent of each patient's communication or swallowing difficulties. This comprehensive evaluation allows us to develop individualized treatment plans tailored to meet their unique needs and goals. We utilize a variety of assessment tools and techniques to evaluate various aspects of communication and swallowing, including:

• Speech Sound Production: Assessing articulation, phonology, and motor speech skills to identify difficulties in producing speech sounds correctly.
• Language Comprehension and Expression: Evaluating receptive and expressive language abilities, including understanding spoken and written language, formulating sentences, and expressing thoughts and ideas effectively.
• Social Communication: Assessing pragmatic language skills, such as using language appropriately in social contexts, understanding nonverbal cues, and engaging in effective communication interactions.
• Cognitive Communication: Evaluating cognitive functions that support communication, such as attention, memory, problem-solving, and executive functions.
• Voice: Assessing vocal quality, pitch, loudness, and resonance to identify voice disorders, such as hoarseness, vocal fatigue, and vocal cord dysfunction.
• Fluency: Evaluating speech rhythm and flow to identify fluency disorders, such as stuttering and cluttering.
• Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia): Assessing the oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal phases of swallowing to identify difficulties in safely and efficiently swallowing food and liquids.

Individualized Treatment Plans

Based on the assessment findings, our SLTs develop individualized treatment plans that address each patient's specific needs and goals. These plans may include a combination of individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, and the use of specialized equipment and techniques. Our therapists work closely with patients and their families to ensure that treatment is effective, engaging, and tailored to their unique circumstances.

Therapeutic Interventions

Our therapeutic interventions are designed to improve various aspects of communication and swallowing. These interventions may include:

• Articulation Therapy: Targeting the accurate production of speech sounds through exercises and techniques to improve motor planning and coordination.
• Language Therapy: Enhancing language comprehension and expression through activities that focus on vocabulary development, sentence structure, grammar, and narrative skills.
• Social Communication Training: Improving pragmatic language skills through role-playing, social stories, and other activities that promote effective communication in social situations.
• Cognitive Communication Therapy: Addressing cognitive deficits that impact communication through exercises that improve attention, memory, problem-solving, and executive functions.
• Voice Therapy: Implementing techniques to improve vocal quality, pitch, loudness, and resonance, such as vocal exercises, breathing techniques, and strategies to reduce vocal strain.
• Fluency Therapy: Utilizing strategies to manage stuttering or cluttering, such as speech modification techniques, fluency shaping techniques, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
• Dysphagia Therapy: Implementing exercises and techniques to improve swallowing safety and efficiency, such as strengthening exercises, compensatory strategies, and diet modifications.

Specialized Equipment and Techniques

We utilize specialized equipment and techniques to enhance the effectiveness of our therapeutic interventions. These may include:

• VitalStim Therapy: Using neuromuscular electrical stimulation to strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing.
• Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS): Utilizing videofluoroscopy to visualize the swallowing process and identify specific swallowing impairments.
• Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES): Using a flexible endoscope to visualize the swallowing process and assess airway protection.
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices: Providing communication aids for individuals with severe communication impairments, such as speech-generating devices and communication boards.

Our Goal

Our ultimate goal is to help patients regain or improve their communication abilities and swallowing function, enabling them to participate more fully in life. We are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that is tailored to each patient's unique needs and goals. By working closely with patients and their families, we strive to empower them to achieve their full potential and enhance their quality of life.