Speech Therapy

---

Speech therapists (also known as speech-language pathologists) evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with a wide variety of conditions that affect oral motor skills, swallowing, and speech and language abilities. Speech therapists at Merit Health Rankin work closely with neurologists, ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctors and other specialists to thoroughly evaluate patients and treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Cognitive communication disorders, including memory and problem-solving difficulties
• Language disorders, such as aphasia
• Lisping or stuttering
• Motor speech disorders, including dysarthria and apraxia
• Speech conditions resulting from Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis
• Swallowing disorders, such as dysphagia
• Voice disorders, including dysphonia

Speech therapists at Merit Health Rankin provide education, support and treatment strategies to improve communication and swallowing, utilizing a range of treatment options such as:

• Cognitive retraining, following stroke or other neurological impairment
• Customized exercises designed to strengthen muscles used in speaking or swallowing
• Electrical stimulation therapy to improve swallowing ability by retraining motor nerves in the throat
• Nutrition or diet modifications
• Recommendations and training for communication devices

The team of speech therapists provides customized treatment plans to address each patient's unique challenges, and offers valuable information and encouragement to support each individual's goals.