Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and language therapy encompasses a range of treatments that help adults and children improve their ability to talk, communicate and use other language skills.

At The University of Kansas Health System, our expert speech and language therapy team works closely with your physician and other care team members to provide you with streamlined care to meet your needs. We provide therapy for people of all ages and with all conditions.

Speech and language therapy is designed to help adults and children with speech, language communication, cognition and swallowing disorders. Using a range of exercises and treatments, our speech and language pathologists help patients improve memory, problem-solving, speech and communicate skills and more.

Our speech and language pathologists provide specialized care for adults and children of all ages. Speech and language therapy can help patients with a wide variety of conditions, including:

• After concussion
• Communication or speech disorders, such as aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia of speech and tracheostomies
• Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) or eating difficulties
• Memory impairments
• Neurological conditions affecting communication or thinking (cognition), including attention, memory and problem-solving disorders
• Recovery from surgery
• Stroke and head injuries
• Voice problems

Children with the following may benefit from speech and language therapy:

• Augmentative or alternative communication devices
• Developmental speech delays
• Dysfluency and voice therapy
• Feeding or swallowing disorders
• Oral-motor disorders
• Social developmental delays  

Speech and language therapy involves specialized testing and treatment based on each patient’s needs. Our speech and language pathologists use the latest inpatient and outpatient therapies to help patients improve their quality of life.

Speech and language therapy begins with a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms. Your testing might include videofluoroscopic swallow studies, fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, instrumental analysis of vocal function or standardized cognitive/achievement testing.

Our expert team will then develop a personalized therapy program to address your needs and goals. That program will include regular therapy sessions to improve your speech and language skills, including tailored exercises and activities. Your speech and language therapist will establish milestones to track and celebrate progress toward an improved quality of life.

Speech and language therapy is a safe and effective treatment that addresses a wide range of conditions that may affect swallowing, communication and thinking. Speech therapy offers many benefits, including improved:

• Ability to express feelings, ideas and thoughts 
• Academic performance
• Communication skills
• Comprehension 
• Language skills 
• School readiness 
• Self-confidence 
• Social interaction
• Swallowing function
• Quality of life 
• Vocal quality and intelligibility 

You will enjoy a safe, motivational environment during your speech and language therapy sessions.

For adults, speech therapy often focuses on building or improving specific skills, such as exercises to strengthen the tongue or activities to improve memory.

For children, speech therapy usually involves play-based exercises, such as games that improve language and communication. Our speech and language pathologists work with children to create an environment that is compassionate and comfortable – helping them achieve developmental goals and milestones.