Speech-language pathologists treat speech, language, cognitive communication, voice, swallowing, and fluency disorders, and other related conditions. Treatment depends on the nature and severity of the speech disorder; however, the goals of every speech-related treatment program are to:
- Fully assess each patient and develop a comprehensive plan of care
- Help each patient to understand his or her condition and to achieve a comfortable level of communication in personal and professional settings
- Encourage each patient to practice preventive measures and continue with a long-term home program to maintain progress
MedStar Health offers a comprehensive range of outpatient speech-language pathology services for individuals from school age through geriatrics.
Conditions we treat
Our outpatient speech-language pathologists evaluate and treat patients with the following conditions:
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury and post-concussive syndrome
- Neuromuscular speech disorders resulting from multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and other conditions
- Encephalopathy
- Head/neck cancer
- Communication and articulation disorders
- Swallowing disorders
Communication disorders can be a result of a stroke, traumatic brain injury, head and neck cancer, neurological disorders, and other medical conditions. They include:
- Aphasia, an acquired language disorder characterized by impaired comprehension and production of language as a result of brain damage (most often as a result of a stroke). It can dramatically impair a person's ability to communicate. The main symptom of aphasia is impairment in the ability to speak, while the understanding of speech, reading, and writing can also be impaired.
- Dysarthria, a speech disorder that results from weakness, paralysis, or incoordination of the muscles that control speech, resulting from neurological diseases and injuries. Dysarthria can result from progressive types of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. It can also result from an injury to the brain, such as stroke or head injury.
- Voice disorders, characterized by an abnormality in the pitch, loudness, duration, or quality of the voice. Hoarseness caused by vocal abuse or misuse is the most common voice disorder; however, infection, trauma, reflux, and cancer can also cause voice disorders. Cancer or trauma can result in a total laryngectomy: the removal of the entire voice box or larynx. Removal of the larynx results in a complete loss of voice. In some cases, only part of the larynx is removed (partial laryngectomy), which leaves the patient with an abnormal voice quality.
- Cognitive-linguistic disorders, characterized by problems with attention, memory, organization, reasoning, and social skills that impact communication. A cognitive-linguistic disorder can be a result of a traumatic brain injury or stroke.
Swallowing disorders
Your doctor or healthcare provider may have recommended that you be evaluated by a speech-language pathologist for a swallowing disorder, also called dysphagia. This condition can accompany stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, dementia, or other neurological disorders. Swallowing disorders can also occur after treatment for head and neck cancers.
Other services offered
- Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Computer-assisted instruction
Our locations
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MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Loch Raven — Orthopedic and Hand Center
5445 Loch Raven Blvd MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital Smyth Bldg., Ste. 403A Baltimore, MD 21239
MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
5601 Loch Raven Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21239
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Olney
18109 Prince Philip Dr. Ste. 155 & 355 Olney, MD 20832
NRH Rehabilitation Network at Rockville
14955 Shady Grove Rd. Ste. 230 Rockville, MD 20850
MedStar Health: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Road NW Pasquerilla Healthcare Center (PHC), 3rd Floor Washington, D.C., 20007