Speech pathologists are the professionals who assess a client’s unique communication impairment or disorder and determine a specialised course of treatment. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, and schools.
SPs commonly manage cognitive, communication, and swallowing disorders that co-exist comorbidly with mental health conditions. However, it is unclear how familiar mental health practitioners are with the scope of practice for SPs. For more information about the speech pathology adults in Adelaide, click here.
Symptoms
As we age, our communication and swallowing skills change naturally. However, it’s also more common for older Australians to develop communication and swallowing disorders through neurological conditions like stroke, dementia or head injury.
Swallowing disorders can cause serious health issues and affect a person’s quality of life. Symptoms include difficulty eating and drinking, weight loss or food going into the air when speaking or swallowing. Speech pathologists can help treat these symptoms through various methods, including exercises, dietary recommendations and swallowing strategies.
Speech pathologists are also skilled in assessing and treating motor speech disorders such as dysarthria, which affects the muscles of the face, mouth and respiratory system. Dysarthria can affect professional voice users (teachers, barristers, auctioneers, singers, personal trainers & telephone operators) who rely on their voices for work. Speech pathologists can improve a person’s voice clarity, strength and endurance using simple, evidence-based techniques. They can also recommend assistive communication devices if needed.
Assessment
Speech pathologists are trained to assess and treat all aspects of communication. It includes verbal (spoken), non-verbal (body language) and listening skills. We are also able to assist with written communication if necessary. Communication occurs throughout the lifespan, so we work with children right through to adults.
Swallowing difficulties can occur as a result of many different conditions and can impact everyday activities such as eating and drinking. Speech Pathologists can help improve swallowing and diet consistency by providing education, strategies and exercises. They can also advise on modified food and fluids, if necessary.
In this course, students utilise a case-guided learning approach and explore six speech pathology practice areas via lectures, online integrated pre-workshop activities, and practical workshops.
They apply critical analysis and clinical reasoning in developing intervention plans for individuals with communication disorders or difficulties. They construct person-centred sessional, short-term and long-term goals. They also critically review the complex relationship between biological, psychosocial and environmental factors that influence communication across the lifespan.
Treatment
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties with their speech, language or swallowing, it’s essential to talk to your GP. Often, this is because you have noticed that your symptoms are occurring more frequently or impacting your daily activities more significantly.
If your GP refers you for assessment, our clinicians can provide treatment to improve your symptoms. We specialise in dysarthria, which occurs when the muscles of the mouth and face become weak or move slowly. We also treat aphasia, which is a loss of language skills due to a stroke or other brain injury.
Our team also provides specialised services such as Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Studies (VFSS) assessments at Taringa Westside Private Hospital and Greenslopes Private Hospital. It is certified for the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment and McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Programme for people with Parkinson’s disease. For more information about the speech pathology adults in Adelaide, click here.
We are passionate about pushing allied health in the direction of telehealth. We can now offer clients flexible, accessible and affordable personalised treatment at their home or anywhere else in Australia.
Home Practice
Many adults who suffer from speech and swallowing difficulties struggle with the impact of their symptoms on daily activities. These issues may be ongoing, or they can occur suddenly following a stroke or neurological condition like Parkinson’s Disease.
For clients who are experiencing difficulty speaking, swallowing or stuttering, regular practice outside of the Speech Pathology clinic is essential to the success of their treatment. Often, this will involve engaging in a daily routine that incorporates speaking exercises or working on other communication skills.
Using telehealth, our team of Speech Pathologists is able to provide clients with regular virtual sessions that allow them to work on their communication goals from the comfort of their own homes. For more information about the speech pathology adults in Adelaide, click here.