Speech - Language Therapy Services

When your ability to speak, swallow, or effectively communicate with others is compromised, your quality of life diminishes as well. Our Speech-Language Therapy program at UPMC Centers for Rehab Services aims to restore your ability to communicate and facilitates a swift return to normal activity.

What Is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy is a specialized form of treatment for children and adults who have difficulty communicating, speaking, eating, or swallowing. Not just for the development of young children, speech therapy treats a wide range of speech disorders that alter a person’s ability to vocalize and articulate words.

Speech Disorders We Treat

Our ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association) licensed speech-language pathologists specialize in the development and disorders of human communication.

Speech disorders that affect young children are not typically the same as those hindering older adults. For children, our speech-language pathologists (SLTs) target general speech problems including stuttering and other issues that stem from learning and hearing disabilities. Adults eligible for speech therapy may have similar problems or medical conditions which result in difficulty communicating or swallowing.

Examples of medical conditions and developmental disorders speech therapy treats are:

What Does Speech Therapy Improve?

At UPMC our speech-language pathologists work on an individual basis to evaluate, treat, and accomplish your therapy goals. We also work with your referring physician to develop a plan of care best suited to your needs.

Speech language pathologists’s are able to determine your affecting speech disorder and create a comprehensive treatment plan based upon the disorder or medical condition. Therapy sessions may include a variety of oral motor, jaw, tongue, and other exercises at the discretion of the therapist.

Speech-language therapy can improve:

• Articulation
• Cognitive communication
• Fluency (the flow of speech)
• Swallowing functions
• Voice problems (tone and quality)

Take action to restore your ability to communicate and confidence at UPMC’s top-ranking physical therapy services by visiting a Centers for Rehab Services location near you.