Speech Therapy

Speech therapists, also known as speech-language pathologists, are trained to assess, diagnose and treat patients with a wide variety of congenital, developmental and acquired conditions, including:

• Communication difficulties caused by stroke or traumatic brain injury, including aphasia and apraxia

• Swallowing or feeding disorders, including dysphagia, resulting from stroke or neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis

• Speech problems such as stuttering or lisping

• Communication difficulties caused by hearing impairment or birth defects such as cleft palate

• Voice disorders including inappropriate pitch or harsh voice, often caused by head and neck cancer or vocal cord damage

• Communication challenges associated with developmental disorders like autism and Asperger syndrome

• Delayed language development

Scripps speech therapists work closely with physicians such as neurologists, oncologists, pediatricians, and ear, nose and throat specialists to thoroughly evaluate, diagnose and treat patients.

• Comprehensive speech-language-cognitive evaluations

• Modified barium swallow studies, including digital video fluoroscopy

• Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES)

• Endoscopy of the larynx using videostroboscopy

Treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s needs and include a variety of techniques, such as:

• Exercises designed to strengthen the muscles used in swallowing or speaking

• External electrical stimulation such as VitalStim therapy

• Lee Silverman voice treatment (LSVT) for patients with Parkinson’s disease

• Recommendations or prescriptions for augmentative communication devices

• Patient and caregiver education including home treatment plans

Speech therapy services are offered at the following Scripps Health locations in San Diego County:

• Scripps Center for Voice and Swallowing, located in the east wing of Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla
• Scripps Mercy Chula Vista Outpatient Physical Rehabilitation
• Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas
• Scripps Clinic Rancho Bernardo
• Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines