Speech Services in New Orleans
Speech and Language services at Children's Hospital provide evaluations,
management and consultation for patients from birth to 21 years of age
who may have speech or language disorders.
What Our Speech Pathologists Do
A Speech-Language Pathologist is a professional educated to assess, develop
and treat speech and language disorders. The Speech-Language Pathologist
can also help people with swallowing disorders.
Speech Pathology services include complete assessment and treatment as
needed for the following areas/disorders:
- Dysphagia (Swallowing Disorders) and/or Feeding Difficulties: includes
Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS), Clinical Feeding/Swallowing Evaluation,
and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
- Oral Motor Deficits: includes assessment and treatment for weak or uncoordinated
oral motor movements.
-
Speech Deficits, including:
- Articulation includes omissions, distortions, or substitutions of speech sounds
- Fluency of speech includes stuttering
- Voice
- Motor speech disorders includes apraxia (difficulty sequencing speech sounds)
and dysarthria (slurred, slowed speech)
- Language Delays/Disorders includes expressive and receptive language skills
as well as Aphasia (language loss relating to brain injury).
- Cognitive/linguistic functioning includes problem-solving, memory, abstract
reasoning.
- Augmentative Communication includes an alternative form of communication
(i.e. picture boards, electronic devices, etc).
The Speech-Language Pathologists collaborate with various clinics, including
Craniofacial Clinic, Down Syndrome Clinic, Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinics,
and Cochlear Implant Program.
The Speech Pathologists provide services in acute care and the inpatient
rehabilitation center. We also provide outpatient services. Our department
may accept referrals from schools, physicians, other professionals, and families.
A physician referral/consult is required for all patients.