It is all about quality of life. Like many medical treatments, speech therapy focuses on helping patients live their best life.
Patients of all ages can benefit from Speech Therapy. A traumatic incident, suffering from a stroke or other disease can be the catalyst to bring patients to Speech Therapy.
After former nurse and educator Corinne Shaw was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, she was unsure what her future held. Now, she was the patient and never expected such a diagnosis. She was afraid that she would not be herself and that she would miss out on time with her family. She started having issues speaking and swallowing. That is when she was referred to NARMC.
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center is home to a state-of-the-art rehab facility which offers physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy services. Through speech therapy, Shaw has learned ways to help fight this progressive disease.
“Therapy has equipped me with the tools to help me cope with Parkinson’s disease,” Shaw said. “More importantly, I have found validation, a support system and hope.”
After weeks of therapy appointments, Shaw was discharged with resources and exercises to continue at home. Since Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, she knows that one day, she may be back in therapy, but for now, she can cope.
“Seeing my patients find hope and success is so rewarding,” Speech Therapist Erica Matlock said. “No matter their story or their reason for coming in, we tailor their therapy to best meet their needs.”
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center’s Outpatient Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center is here to help with all of your therapy needs. Every patient is evaluated and treated for their distinct lifestyle and functional needs.
For more information or for a referral, contact your Primary Care Physician.
Get the Facts
Common reasons for patients to turn to Speech Therapy:
Adults:
Admitted for a TIA, CVA or stroke, or a patient who presents stroke-like symptoms
Pneumonia
GERD
Dysphagia following intubation/extubation
Dysphagia following a medical procedure or surgery, head and neck cancer, vocal cord weakness or paralysis, TBI
Pediatric:
Development delay (may be caused by chronic illness or injury)
Complications during delivery
Premature birth
Genetic disorders
Recurrent ear infections or tubes
Hearing impairment or loss
Common methods:
Safe swallow education
Compensatory strategies
Diet modifications
Swallowing exercises
Oral motor exercises
Thermal stimulation
Identification and naming tasks
Orientation tasks
Memory strategies
Attention and concentration tasks
Articulatory placement and production
Diaphragmatic breathing exercises
Vocal hygiene
Retraining of proper vocal use
Eliminating/decreasing activities with vocal abuse/misuse