Speech Therapy
Speech therapists (also known as speech-language pathologists) evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with a wide variety of conditions that affect oral motor skills, swallowing and speech and language abilities. Eastern New Mexico Medical Center's speech therapists work closely with neurologists, ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctors, audiology specialists and other providers to thoroughly evaluate patients and treat a variety of conditions and disorders, including:
- Cognitive communication disorders, including memory and problem-solving difficulties
- Language disorders, such as aphasia
- Articulation disorders
- Lisping or stuttering speech
- Motor speech disorders, including dysarthria and apraxia, childhood apraxia of speech
- Speech conditions resulting from Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis
- Swallowing disorders, such as dysphagia
- Feeding disorders
- Voice disorders, including dysphonia
Our speech therapy team offers education, support and treatment strategies to improve communication and swallowing, utilizing a range of treatment options such as:
- Cognitive retraining following stroke or other neurological impairment
- Customized exercises designed to strengthen muscles used in speaking or swallowing
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy to improve swallowing ability by retraining motor nerves in the throat
- Therapy to improve ability to communicate and quality of life for individuals with Parkinson's disease
- Nutrition or diet modifications
- Recommendations and training for communication devices
ENMMC’s speech-language pathology team provides evaluations and customized treatment plans to address each patient's unique challenges, and offer valuable information and encouragement to support each individual's goals.