Speech Therapy (Speech-Language Pathology)

Our speech therapists are experienced in diagnosing and treating a wide range of pediatric conditions, including:

• Receptive and expressive language disorders
• Developmental language delays and articulation disorders
• Phonological processing disorders
• Auditory processing disorders
• Speech disorders (e.g., developmental articulation delays, childhood apraxia of speech, dysarthria)
• Stuttering
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Communication for those with hearing impairment
• Cleft lip and palate
• Feeding/swallowing disorders
• Voice disorders
• Hearing impairments

Our speech-language pathologists are experienced in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect adults, including:

• Language disorders/impairments due to stroke (i.e., aphasia), brain injury, brain tumor or head and neck cancer
• Speech disorders (e.g., dysarthria, apraxia)
• Accent reduction
• Stuttering
• Swallowing disorders (dysphagia)
• Voice problems due to abuse or misuse (e.g., singing/overuse) or laryngeal pathologies
• Stridor due to induced laryngeal obstruction
• Voice therapy for transgender individuals
• Motor speech changes due to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS, myasthenia gravis and others

Accent reduction

Our speech therapists offer training programs for individuals of foreign descent who wish to improve their communication skills in English and reduce their foreign accent.

ALS clinic

Our speech therapy staff participates in the weekly Harry J. Hoenselaar Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Clinic in the Henry Ford Health Department of Neurology to provide evaluation, follow-up and assistance as needed throughout the course of an individual’s illness

Comprehensive voice assessment

Our speech therapy team evaluates voice qualities and voice production habits to identify any problems that could resolve with behavior changes. We also evaluate transgender individuals and aid in transitioning their voices.

Head and neck cancer

Our speech-language pathology team participates in the Multidisciplinary Head & Neck Cancer Clinic to provide evaluation and therapy to people who have received or are currently receiving treatment for head and neck cancer. Speech and swallowing services are provided to both inpatients and outpatients. The clinic also provides post-laryngectomy rehabilitation services, including placement and management of tracheoesophageal voice prostheses. Our speech-language pathologists participate in various research projects studying functional outcomes and best treatment methods for this population of patients.

Language mapping for tumor patients

Our speech-language pathologists work closely with Henry Ford Health neurological surgeons to evaluate and treat people who have tumors located in the language area of the brain. Our involvement includes assessment before, during and after surgery to obtain baseline language skill, to assist with language mapping during tumor resection, and to provide therapy after surgery as needed.

Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT)

Several of our speech therapists are certified in the Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT) program to aid people with Parkinson's disease in improving and maintaining improved loudness and intelligibility.

SpeechEasy® fluency program

The SpeechEasy® is a digital, programmable, in-the-ear auditory feedback device demonstrated to enhance fluency in people who stutter. Our speech therapy team is one of few in the region who offer evaluations, fittings and training in the use of the device.

Swallowing studies

Our speech-language pathologists conduct dynamic swallowing studies with Henry Ford Health’s radiology team to determine if there is a swallowing disorder (dysphagia) and any interventions that may be indicated if a swallowing disorder is identified.

Whether a patient is in an intensive care unit or a regular acute care floor, our speech-language pathologists are available to meet a variety of needs during a stay at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Our inpatient services include:

• Evaluation and treatment of language/cognitive impairments as a result of stroke, closed head injury, brain surgery or dementia
• Voice restoration for individuals with tracheostomy with or without ventilator dependence
• Leak Speech
• Passy Muir® Speaking Valve
• Dysphagia
• Clinical bedside swallowing evaluation
• Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies with the radiology team
• Modified Evan’s blue dye swallowing screening for patients with tracheostomy tubes
• Education and counseling of communication and/or swallowing skills to patients and family members

• Get a referral: A referral for speech-language pathology that’s dated and has been signed by a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner within the last 90 days.
• Make an appointment: With this referral, you can schedule an appointment by calling one of our locations, or through your Henry Ford MyChart account.
• Provide your information: Either way, our team will gather information from you about your condition and referring provider, and will also verify your insurance coverage.
• Start your speech therapy treatment: Then you’ll be paired with the most appropriate speech-language pathologist for your needs and start your outpatient physical therapy.

You should also plan to attend regularly scheduled therapy appointments to ensure that you get the most out of treatment.

There are several foundations and other nonprofit organizations dedicated to providing more information about conditions related to speech, language, hearing and related conditions. These include:

• Alexander Graham Bell Association for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Alzheimer's Disease
• American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• American Stroke Association
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
• Autism Alliance of MI
• Brain Injury Association of America
• Dysphagia
• LSVT
• National Aphasia Association of America
• Parkinson's Foundation
• Passy Muir
• SpeechEasy®
• Stuttering Foundation