How do we make a difference?
We use qualitative and quantitative assessment methods, including standardized tests to analyze and diagnose the nature and extent of speech, language, and swallowing impairments.

We provide diagnostic and therapeutic intervention to assess and treat children and adults with various speech and language disorders targeting a variety of deficits that include, but are not limited to, aphasia, apraxia/dyspraxia, auditory processing disorders, articulation disorders, dentofacial functional abnormalities, dysarthria, phonological disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, fluency disorders, motor planning disorders, word retrieval difficulties and social pragmatic language disorders.

What makes the difference?
We develop an individualized plan of care, tailored to each patient’s needs. For individuals with little or no speech capability, speech-language pathologists use a multi-modality approach to teach their students how to make sounds, improve their voices, or increase their oral or written language skills to communicate more effectively. They also teach individuals how to strengthen muscles or use compensatory strategies to swallow and improve oral motor strength, precsion and range of motion.

For whom do we make a difference?
We work with people who cannot produce speech sounds, or cannot produce them clearly; those with speech rhythm and fluency disorders, such as stuttering; people with voice disorders, such as inappropriate pitch, hoarsh voice, vocal nodules; those with difficulty understanding and producing language; those who wish to improve their communication skills by modifying an accent; and those with cognitive communication impairments, such as attention, memory, processing and problem solving difficulties.

We also work with children and adults, in the office or in their home, who carry various medical, neurological and cognitive diagnoses. These include, but are not limited to, swallowing or other upper aerodigestive functions, cognitive aspects of communication, cleft palate, cochlear implants, tuberous sclerosis complex, aphasia, attentive deficit disorder, attentiondeficit disorder with hyperactivity Asperger’s Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, cerebral vascular accident, conductive hearing loss, cognitive impairments, Down Syndrome, head injury, Hurler’s Syndrome, neurofibromatosis, otitis media, pervasive development disorders, Prader Willi Syndrome, seizure disorders, sensory integration disorders, sensorineural hearing loss, Sturge-Weber Syndrome and Tourette syndrome.

Who looks at the difference?
We keep records on the initial evaluation, progress, and discharge of clients. This process helps track client
progress and justifies the cost of treatment when applying for reimbursement.

We counsel individuals and their families concerning communication disorders and how to cope with the stress and misunderstanding that often accompany them. We also work with family members to recognize and change behavior patterns that impede communication and treatment and teach them communication-enhancing techniques to use at home.

Who helps make the difference?
If needed, we may refer to and/or collaborate with teachers, special educators, interpreters, other school personnel, medical professionals - pediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists as well as other health care providers - OT, PT, ABA, audiologist and parents to develop and implement individual or group programs, provide guidence and support for curriculum based activities.

For more information please e-mail us at: info@islandtherapies.net