Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose and treat speech, language, cognitive, communication, voice, reading and swallowing related disorders.

Speech, language and swallowing problems can result from hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, neurological impairment or disease, stroke, cradiofacial abnormalities, voice pathology, developmental delays, and other conditions and illnesses such as cardiac compromise and cancer. Delays and disorders can be congenital, developmental or acquired. Some of the most common speech, language and swallowing disorders include:

• Aphasia - The loss or reduction of expressive or receptive speech and language abilities, spoken or written.
• Language Delay - Slowness in the development of vocabulary and grammar required to express and understand thoughts and ideas. This may be in combination with slow development in other areas, or it may be a specific language delay.
• Stuttering - A dysfluency in the production of speech. This may include sound, syllable, or word repetitions, pauses, sound prolongations and other types of dysfluencies.
• Articulation disorders - The omission, substitution or distortion of a sound or the replacement of a sound with another.
• Dysarthria - Speech disorders that are associated with neuromuscular causes that result in weakness, abnormal tone, or abnormal reflexes, etc., which reduce speech intelligibility.
• Apraxia - Difficulty in learning and or executing the movements for speech production.
• Voice Disorders - These include a change in vocal quality (hoarseness, breathiness, nasality, etc.) and/or inappropriate pitch or loudness.
• Language Learning Disabilities - School and learning difficulties related to a verbal/non-verbal discrepancy, with non-verbal skills being stronger.
• Larygectomy - The surgical removal of the larynx ("voice box") is performed by surgeons, after which the speech-language pathologist assesses and dtreats the patient for the most appropriate form of alaryngeal speech and communication. Both pre- and post-operative consultations are provided.
• Dysphagia- Difficulty in any or all phases (oral, pharyngeal, esophageal) of swallowing.
• Cognition - Difficulty with memory, judgment and organization, especially in functional daily activities.

Licensed and certified speech-language pathologists use formal and informal assessments and tests, as well as specialized equipment and instruments, to diagnose the nature and extent of impairment and to record and analyze speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing irregularities. Treatment is initiated after the develpment of an individualized plan of care, tailored to each patient's needs.

For individuals with little or no speech capability, speech-language pathologists may select augmentative or alternative communication methods, including automated devices, sign language and other systems. They teach these individuals how to make sounds, improve their voices, increase their language skills, and use these augmentative devices to communicate more effectively. Speech-language pathologists help patients develop or recover reliable communication skills so patients can fulfill their educational, vocational and social skills and roles.

Locations

Click on the links below for contact information or to make an appointment:

• Shands Rehab Center for Kids at Magnolia Parke (NW Gainesville)
• Shands Rehab Center at Magnolia Parke (NW Gainesville)
• Speech & Hearing Center at Shands UF (Health Science Center)
• Shands Rehab Hospital (NW Gainesville)
• Shands Lake Shore (Lake City)