Speech Pathologists at Speech Care offer a range of services to help people to improve their communicative abilities. Our areas of specialisation for adults are language, voice, fluency, speech articulation problems, accent modification, swallowing and literacy difficulties.
Language- Speech pathologists work with people who have difficulty in the production and comprehension of spoken and/or written language resulting from brain damage.
Voice - our voice is the vehicle for communication and therefore a vocal disorder can cause much anxiety for the sufferer. For someone who relies on their voice for a living - teachers, clergy, actors or singers - a voice disorder can be particularly distressing. A consultation with an Ear Nose and Throat specialist is the first step. Following this a thorough assessment by a speech pathologist provides the necessary information for an individualised treatment programme to be devised.
 
Fluency - A breakdown in fluency results in the disorders known as stuttering and cluttering. Symptoms include repetition, prolongation, and blocking of sounds and syllables. This can be extremely frustrating as the person knows exactly what he/she wants to say but for that moment cannot say it. Treatment focuses on breathing, learning to use gentle onsets to sounds and techniques to decrease anxiety about speaking.
Speech Articulation problems - This includes problems with the accurate production of speech sounds.
Accent Modification- If English is your second language a speech pathologist can help you to achieve an accent closer to that of your fellow workers and people in your community.
Swallowing- Speech Pathologists help people when their swallowing reflex is impaired as a result of neurological damage.
Literacy difficulties - Many people reach adulthood without being able to read or write to an adequate level. Assessment and intervention by a speech pathologist can help. See page 4 for more detailed information about Literacy difficulties.
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