Living with a speech or swallowing disorder can make it hard to communicate or get nourishment safely and comfortably. If you’re frustrated by a speech impairment or if swallowing difficulties are affecting your comfort and safety, we can help. At Southeast Georgia Health System, we offer specialized treatment for these problems.
Our team of licensed speech-language pathologists evaluate and treat an array of disorders that affect speech, swallowing and communication. They offer outpatient and inpatient speech therapy on our Brunswick and Camden campuses, as well as in our Senior Care Centers. Pediatric speech therapy is provided through our collaboration with Wolfson Children’s in Brunswick.
Reviewed 2/8/2023
Sources
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "Adult Speech and Language." https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/adultsandl/.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "Child Speech and Language." https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/childsandl/.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "Dysarthria." https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/dysarthria/.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "Speech-Language Pathologists." https://www.asha.org/Students/Speech-Language-Pathologists/.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "Swallowing Disorders in Adults." https://www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/Swallowing-Disorders-in-Adults/.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "Who Are Speech-Language Pathologists, and What Do They Do?" https://www.asha.org/public/who-are-speech-language-pathologists/.
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. "Developmental Language Disorder." https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/developmental-language-disorder#7.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "What Speech-Language Pathologists Do." https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-2.
Speech therapy quiz
True or false?
Speech-language pathologists treat a wide variety of communication and swallowing problems. How much do you know about the many types of disorders speech therapy can address?
Start the quiz
True or false: Speech-language pathologists work only in outpatient settings.
FALSE. Speech-language pathologists work in many settings. You might find them in grade schools, colleges and universities, private practices, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals.
True or false: Speech therapy is mainly helpful for children.
FALSE. Speech-language pathologists work with people of all ages to treat many types of communication and swallowing problems, including:
- Stuttering.
- Learning disabilities involving reading, spelling and writing.
- Voice, language and swallowing disorders caused by problems like stroke, cancer or brain injury.
True or false: Speech therapy might help someone who has autism interact socially with others.
TRUE: All people with autism have social communication problems. Speech-language pathologists can educate and train them how to greet others and ask questions; speak in ways appropriate to the listener and setting; and follow social norms for conversation, like taking turns at talking or how close to stand to someone while conversing.
True or false: Speech-language pathologists help people learn to swallow food.
TRUE: A swallowing disorder can lead to problems like poor nutrition and weight loss. Speech-language pathologists can help people learn to manage swallowing problems (called dysphagia) in order to suck, chew and swallow food and liquid properly.
True or false: Speech therapy can help with how your voice sounds.
TRUE: Speech-language pathologists address a variety of voice problems. If you sound hoarse or lose your voice easily, speech therapy can help. Speech-language pathologists can also address other voice issues like talking too loudly, talking through your nose or being unable to make sounds.
What's the best way to take care of your voice? Find out by taking this voice care quiz.
Our speech therapy expertise
Our speech therapists have a wealth of knowledge and training. They can help with a wide range of concerns, including:
- Aphasia (the inability to express or understand speech)
- Hoarseness or other voice disorders
- Stuttering
- Swallowing and eating problems, which can be caused by stroke, cancer surgery or neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease
What to expect in speech therapy
Speech therapy starts with an evaluation by our team and may include tests, such as a modified barium swallow study to evaluate swallowing difficulties. Our therapists will discuss your speech, swallowing or communication problem and goals with you. Then we’ll create a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs.
Speech therapy takes place in a comfortable, quiet setting. You will receive one-on-one treatments using innovative technology. For instance:
If you have swallowing difficulties, we may use electrical stimulation to help strengthen and improve coordination of your swallowing muscles.
If you have a communication disorder, we may use a variety of proven techniques to improve your thought processes and speech production. We may teach you exercises to help your mouth and vocal cords produce sounds. Or we may use cognitive- and memory-based activities to help you find your voice.
We can also help you develop ways to communicate other than talking. These alternative methods range from simple tools, like picture and letter boards, to technologies such as speech generators or communication devices that track eye movements when you use a screen.
How to get speech therapy
We are here to help you improve your quality of life. To make an appointment, ask your doctor to send us a referral.
Want to learn more about our speech therapy services? Please call:
- Rehabilitation Care Center-Brunswick Campus: 912-466-5330
- Rehabilitation Care Center-Camden Campus: 912-576-6450