When you need comprehensive speech and language services, we’re here to help
If you are experiencing speech and language issues caused by a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders, traumatic brain injury or other medical conditions, Speech and Language rehabilitation can dramatically improve your quality of life. Since problems with speech and language may occur gradually, you may not even realize there’s an issue until a loved one or your doctor suggests that you could benefit from seeing a speech and language professional. Speech and Language Pathology (SLP) outpatient services at Freeman Regional Health Services (FRHS) gives you access to highly skilled evaluation and treatment of speech, language, and swallowing delays or disorders. We work with people of all ages. Targeting speech, language, fluency, voice, cognition, and/or swallowing with children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients. Your caregivers and family members are welcome to attend sessions, as they may play a vital role in helping you to practice skills at home.
What types of issues do you most often treat?
We provide comprehensive services to help address common problems such as:
- Feeding and Swallowing Issues (Dysphagia) affect how well you suck, chew and swallow foods and liquids. These problems may lead to poor nutrition, weight loss and other health problems.
- Aphasia (Communication Disorder) affects how well you understand what you hear or read, and how well you use words to tell others what you are thinking.
- Voice Disorders (Dysphonia), affecting vocal organs that are used to produce sounds which may result in a raspy, breathy, strained, hoarse, and/or shaky voice.
- Speech Disorders (Dysarthria) affect how you say sounds or put sounds together into words and/or dysfunction of the muscles that produce speech.
- Fluency Issues (Stuttering) affect how well your speech flows and may involve repeating sounds or long pauses when talking.
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- Cognition affecting planning, following directions, comprehension, analyzing problems, managing responsibilities, and/or communicating/word finding.
How do you diagnose problems?
A wide variety of developmental and health issues may cause difficulties with swallowing and communication. For instance, speech and language problems may be caused by an accident, injury, a birth defect, head and neck cancer/other diseases. Traumatic brain injuries from a motor vehicle accident or a fall may affect your ability to stay on schedule or to organize and complete basic life tasks such as making a grocery list. Our evaluation process begins with a one-on-one assessment, including a history and progression of your problems. We will sit with you to discuss your difficulties and symptoms related to speaking, cognition, chewing and/or swallowing difficulties. We’ll observe you as you communicate, analyze problems, and/or swallow to understand more fully what you’re experiencing, and create a personalize treatment plan relating to your concerns/personal goals and assessment results.
What kind of treatment and therapy might I receive?
After your diagnosis, you’ll begin your personalized sessions. In swallowing therapy, for example, this usually involves strengthening the muscles that you use to swallow and speak as well as discussing swallowing strategies to utilize at home. Between sessions at FRHS, you may be asked to keep a log of meals consumed or practice basic oral motor exercises to improve muscle tone.
Do you accept referrals?
Yes, we encourage referrals from medical professionals, caregivers, school officials and others.
Working with your provider
If you need additional medical services (such as a prescription for medications), we will work with your provider or refer you to our staff professionals.
Who pays for my treatment?
Medicare and most major health insurers will pay for part of your speech and language pathology services. If you cannot afford to pay, you may be eligible for our financial assistance program. Most insurances are accepted.
Certifications and additional resources
Our program staff is licensed and certified by the state of South Dakota. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the South Dakota Speech-Language-Hearing Association (SDSLHA) websites offer additional information.
Help is close to home
To find out more about the SLP program or to make an appointment, call 605-925-4000.