At AAVI, our Speech-Language Pathologists are trained to evaluate and treat a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders. Whether caused by developmental delays, neurological conditions, injury, or illness, these challenges can significantly impact daily life. Our goal is to provide targeted, compassionate care to help individuals regain independence, confidence, and comfort in their communication, cognition and swallowing abilities.
How We help/ Conditions we Treat
Below are some of the most common concerns referred for speech therapy:
Swallowing and Oral-Motor Disorders
These include difficulties with chewing, swallowing (dysphagia), or coordinating the muscles of the mouth and throat. This can affect safety during eating and drinking and may lead to nutritional or respiratory issues if left untreated.
Speech Intelligibility Issues
When speech is unclear or hard to understand, it may be due to articulation disorders, motor planning difficulties, or structural differences. Therapy focuses on improving clarity and precision of speech sounds.
Auditory Comprehension Difficulties
Some individuals have trouble processing and understanding spoken language, often due to stroke, brain injury, or developmental conditions. Therapy aims to improve listening skills, following directions, and understanding conversation.
Reading Comprehension Impairments
Problems with interpreting and understanding written text can affect academic performance and daily functioning. Intervention may target decoding, vocabulary, and critical thinking strategies.
Verbal Fluency and Word-Finding Problems
This refers to difficulty speaking smoothly or retrieving the right words during conversation. Common in individuals with aphasia, brain injuries, or neurological conditions, therapy helps improve communication flow and expressive language.
Cognitive-Communication Deficits
These include challenges with attention, memory, problem-solving, and executive function that interfere with effective communication. Often seen after a stroke or traumatic brain injury, therapy works on compensatory strategies and cognitive skills.
Functional Communication Challenges
This refers to the ability to use language in real-world situations—expressing needs, engaging in conversation, or navigating social interactions. Therapy is tailored to support communication that is practical and meaningful for daily living.
Alaryngeal Communication
For individuals who have had their voice box removed (laryngectomy), therapy provides training in alternative methods of communication, such as electrolarynx use, esophageal speech, or other assistive technologies.
Voice Disorders
Voice issues can involve changes in pitch, volume, quality, or vocal endurance. These may result from overuse, vocal cord injury, or neurological conditions. Therapy includes vocal hygiene education, exercises, and techniques to promote healthy voice production.