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Speech-Language Pathology

Sister Kenny Graphic Speech-Language Pathologists provide evaluation and treatment for the following problems:

  • Communication and cognitive problems after a stroke or brain injury
  • Dysarthria - a speech disorder where speech may be difficult to understand due to weakness or incoordination of the muscles of the respiratory system, voice, mouth and/or face. Dysarthria is caused by damage at or before birth, or later on due to tumors, strokes, head injuries, neurological diseases or other nervous system damage.
  • Apraxia (also referred to as apraxia of speech, verbal apraxia or dyspraxia) - a motor speech disorder caused by damage to the parts of the nervous system related to speaking. It is characterized by problems sequencing the sounds in syllables and words. People with apraxia know what words they want to say, but their brains have difficulty coordinating the muscle movements necessary to say those words, and they may say something completely different, even nonsensical.
  • Aphasia - a disorder that results from damage to language centers of the brain. As a result, people with aphasia suffer from limitation in the ability to process language. This can include difficulty with understanding, reading, speaking, writing and sometimes math. Recognizing objects/pictures and sounds (agnosia) may also be difficult, depending on the location of the brain damage.
  • Voice disorders such as hoarseness, vocal nodules, reflux laryngitis and paralyzed vocal cords - A voice disorder can occur when there is a change in the way the larynx (voice box) functions, resulting in difficulty producing a normal voice. Causes can be overuse or misuse of the voice, infections or inflammatory processes, benign or malignant growths, neuromuscular diseases and/or psychological issues.
  • Paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM) - a laryngeal disorder causing the vocal folds to close when they should open, such as when breathing in or out. PVFM can be mistaken for asthma as it leads to noisy breathing and difficulty breathing. PVFM can co-occur with asthma, possibly as much as 50 percent of the time. Several “triggers” have been identified, which include but are no limited to, stomach acid, allergies, post nasal drip and stress.
  • Communication problems after surgical procedures, such as removal of the larynx or cancers of head/neck
  • Swallowing difficulties (see Dysphagia for more information)
  • Stuttering

The following specialized services are also offered:

  • Language Care Center:  State-of-the-art technology to treat communication problems after a stroke or brain injury.
  • Swallowing studies: X-rays done with a radiologist to diagnose and treat swallowing disorders.
  • Evaluate and provide equipment to supplement or replace traditional ways of communicating.
  • Support Groups:
    • Aphasia Support Group: Abbott Northwestern Hospital, 612-863-7438
    • Stroke Support Group: Unity Hospital, 763-780-6721
    • Brain Injury Support Group: 
      • Abbott Northwestern Hospital, 612-863-4837
      • Mercy Hospital, 763-422-4579.

Locations/Hours of Operation

Speech-Language Pathology is offered through the five Minneapolis-St. Paul Allina Hospitals:

Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Phone: 612-863-1924
Fax: 612-863-5698
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mon. – Fri.

Mercy Hospital
Phone: 763-236-8908
Fax: 763-236-8930
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mon. – Fri.

United Hospital
Phone: 651-241-8290
Fax: 651-241-7177
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon – Fri.

Unity Hospital
Phone: 763-236-3000
Fax: 763-236-3066
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mon. – Fri.

Buffalo Hospital
Phone: 763-684-3888

Referral

A physician's order is required to access Speech-Language Pathology services. Please call or fax your order to the numbers listed above.

Additional Website Resources:

Brain Injury Association:  www.biausa.org  800-444-6443
American Speech-Language-Hearing Assoc.: www.asha.org. 888-321-2742
Language Care Centers: www.aphasia.com 888-332-4913
National Aphasia Association:  www.aphasia.org  
Brain Injury Assoc. of MN:  www.braininjurymn.org 800-669-6442

 

 

Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
800 E. 28th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-863-4466

 

Source: Jane Chandler, speech-language pathologist

First published: 01/01/2004
Last updated: 10/26/2004

Reviewed by: Jane Chandler, speech-language pathologist

 

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