Speech-Language Pathology Services The Lawrence General Hospital’s Speech-Language Pathology Department evaluates and treats inpatients and outpatients with communication, cognitive and swallowing disorders. Our licensed speech-language pathologists have experience working with patients across the lifespan. Speech-language therapy may be recommended for diagnosis and treatment for a number of reasons, including: delayed speech and language, unintelligible speech, loss of communicative or cognitive abilities, or difficulty with feeding and swallowing.
Inpatient Speech-Language Therapy Inpatients may receive speech, language, cognitive and/or swallowing therapy during their stay in the hospital, typically at bedside. Speech-language therapy will be ordered by your physician during your hospital stay if necessary. In the Special Care Nursery, our Speech-Language Pathologists collaborate with Lawrence General Hospital’s neonatologists, as well as Floating Hospital for Children’s pediatric specialists, to support infants feeding/swallowing skills and educate parents on how to support their infants once discharged home. We will recommend further speech-language services upon discharge as needed.
Outpatient Speech-Language Therapy Outpatient therapy is provided at our Regional Center for Rehabilitation Services, located at 25 Marston Street, Suite 106, Lawrence, MA – about a quarter of a mile away from I-495. A physician's order is required for all treatment. The clinic is open Monday – Friday and we offer flexible appointment times to accommodate patients. To make an appointment or inquire about outpatient speech-language therapy, please contact us at (978) 683-4000 x.2061.
Services for Children
We evaluate and treat children who need speech-language therapy related to conditions such as: speech and language disorder/delay, developmental delay, stuttering disorder, autism and apraxia. Each child’s specific therapy needs will be determined by a speech-language pathologist following an extensive evaluation, and a treatment plan will be created based on the child’s difficulties and the individual needs of the patient and family. Therapy may focus on a number of areas of speech and language, including: articulation, auditory comprehension, verbal expression, augmentative communication, play, social-interaction, and feeding/swallowing. We understand how important family involvement is when treating children with speech and language difficulties, and strive to include the family in all aspects of our care.
Services for Adults
Speech and language difficulties may affect adults following injury or illness, or as they age. Some of the conditions which may require speech language therapy for adults include: stroke, cardiovascular/pulmonary conditions, degenerative neuromuscular disease, swallowing disorders, head trauma, brain tumors, neurological diseases – including Parkinson’s Disease, vocal nodules and vocal abuse, and oral pharyngeal/laryngeal cancer. Speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing skills will be assessed by a speech-language pathologist, and the appropriate treatment will be recommended and provided. Patients are well educated on the etiology of their deficits and typical course of treatment, which empowers them to best manage their speech, language, and swallowing difficulties. Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBS)
Modified barium swallow studies are completed on both and inpatient and outpatient basis and performed in the Radiology Department. In these studies, a speech-language pathologist observes the patient swallowing multiple consistencies of barium under video fluoroscopy. This allows the clinician to determine the appropriate food and drink consistencies for the individual, as well as which strategies are useful in managing the patient's swallowing difficulties.
Helpful Link
|