Swallowing Difficulties (Dysphagia)
There are many causes of a swallowing difficulty; however, they are most frequently seen in the elderly, people who have progressive neurological diseases such as ALS, Parkinson’s disease or dementia, someone who has been diagnosed with oral, throat or esophageal cancer, and those who have had a stroke. They may also occur in those diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and similar disorders.
The obvious signs of a swallowing difficulty include coughing, throat clearing, a sensation of something stuck in the throat or chest and a wet or gurgling voice after you eat or drink or shortly thereafter. However, less obvious signs include weight loss and refusal to eat, among others. These are all red flags that food and/or fluids are not going down the 'right way' or that a problem exists in the swallowing process. The risks associated with swallowing difficulties are significant as it can lead to aspiration pneumonia which may make people very ill, and at times can lead to death. It is therefore very important to speak to your doctor about any swallowing issues you or your family member may be having.
The muscles, nerves and oral structures (lips, tongue, teeth) involved in swallowing are also utilized for speech. Speech-language pathologists complete swallowing assessments as they are extensively trained in the anatomy and function of the speech and swallowing structures.
The Speech Clinic's SLPs will complete a thorough assessment to determine the safest foods and drinks for you as well as suggest strategies and exercises to help you swallow more safely. Our SLPs may also recommend a video swallowing study where an X-ray is taken of your swallow if further information on the swallowing mechanism and sequence is required.
How We Can Help
A personalized accent reduction program can help individuals gain confidence in expressing themselves and connecting with others.
The Speech Clinic can help you or your child improve apraxia of speech through personalized exercises and expert techniques such as PROMPT© and Kaufman programming.
Our expert Speech-Language Pathologists use targeted exercises to help individuals overcome articulation difficulties, enabling them to confidently produce and integrate specific speech sounds into everyday conversations.
At The Speech Clinic, our dedicated Speech-Language Pathologists use targeted exercises to help individuals overcome articulation difficulties, strengthening tongue, lip, teeth, and jaw movements to produce specific speech sounds with confidence.
At The Speech Clinic, our experienced Speech-Language Pathologists support individuals with autism in developing speech-language and social communication skills using Hanen and PROMPT techniques. For clients who cannot speak, we offer expertise in AAC, ensuring effective communication and personalized support for individuals and their families.
At The Speech Clinic, our experienced Speech-Language Pathologists assess and treat cognitive-communication disorders commonly associated with traumatic brain injuries. Through personalized treatment programs, we help strengthen memory, attention, and communication skills to support improved functionality and meaningful interactions.
At The Speech Clinic, our SLPs offer screening tests to identify Central Auditory Processing Disorders, providing direct therapy and strategies to enhance auditory processing skills, leading to improved memory, learning, and communication outcomes.
At The Speech Clinic, our expert Speech-Language Pathologists address language delays in children through personalized tasks and exercises, unlocking receptive and expressive language milestones for effective communication. Hanen® certified S-LPs in It Takes Two to Talk® ensure comprehensive support.
Discover how our speech-language pathologists at The Speech Clinic assess and develop personalized programs to enhance your listening, reading, and writing skills for greater communication proficiency.
The Speech Clinic can provide strategies to improve social communication skills, whether due to autism spectrum disorder, acquired brain injury, or general difficulty in effective At The Speech Clinic, our experienced SL’s.
The Speech Clinic offers strategies to improve social communication skills—whether due to autism spectrum disorder, acquired brain injury, or general challenges with interaction. Experience one-to-one direct therapy or join "Friend to Friend," our social thinking group designed for children and adolescents.
The Speech Clinic's expert speech-language pathologists can help you overcome aphasia and post-stroke communication difficulties through personalized assessments and tailored treatment programs.
The Speech Clinic's expert speech-language pathologists can assess and address various voice difficulties, guiding you towards a confident and expressive voice through personalized therapy and recommendations for further evaluation if needed.
The Speech Clinic's expert speech-language pathologists can assess and address various voice difficulties, guiding you towards a confident and expressive voice through personalized therapy and recommendations for further evaluation if needed.
The Speech Clinic's expert speech-language pathologists can assess and address various voice difficulties, guiding you towards a confident and expressive voice through personalized therapy and recommendations for further evaluation if needed.
