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Speech/Communication Therapy
Adult Disorders Pediatric Disorders Specific Programs
The Continuum offers a wide range of speech and communication
programs from pediatrics to geriatrics. Continuing education is a priority so we are always up to date on new
developments in the field of speech and language pathology as well as swallowing disorders (dysphagia).
The staff shares the belief that language is our most
human characteristic. It is essential to learning, working, social interaction and enjoying family life.
Many people are surprised at the number of services our speech-language pathologists offer.
Our speech-language pathologists hold Masters Degrees
as well as the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Their expertise is well recognized in the community and they are often asked to present to various organizations.
They work closely with referring agencies, physicians, school personnel,
other therapists and case managers. Family members and caregivers are encouraged to participate in the
client's program. When appropriate we work with our clients in the community, at work and education centers.
Each client receives and evaluation which leads to a differential
diagnosis and a specific plan of treatment. The client and family participate in developing the goals of the program.
If the program also includes participation in occupational and/or physical therapy, a strong team approach
is implemented and the client's program is discussed at weekly team meetings. Family conferences are often part of the
program.
If you have questions or concerns regarding communication or
swallowing problems please give them a call or you can email your questions to our email
info@thecontinuum-reno.com
ADULT POPULATION
Speech Therapy for Adults include:
- Strokes
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Traumatic Brain Injury
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Parkinson's Disease
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Alzheimer's
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Multi-Infarct Dementia
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COPD
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Hypoxia
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Fibromyalgia
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ADD (attention deficit disorder)
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Tongue Thrust
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Cerebral Palsy
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M.S. (Multiple Sclerosis)
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ALS (Lou Gherig's Disease)
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MG
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Guillen-Barre Syndrome
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Huntington's Chorea
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Encephalitis
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Supranuclear Palsy
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Brain Tumors
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Seizure Disorder
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Developmentally Disabled
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Hearing Impaired
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Vocal Nodules
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Cancers of the mouth and larynx
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Learning Disabilities
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WHAT WE DIAGNOSE AND TREAT
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Dysarthria
- Dysphagia (Swallowing)
- Tongue Thrust
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Aphasia (loss of language)
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Apraxia
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Cognitive impairments,
including reasoning, memory, attention, thought organization, time management,
and problem solving
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Homonymous Hermianopsia
(visual neglect)
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Stuttering
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Voice Disorders
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Hearing loss
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Pragmatic language impairments
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Poor speech intelligibility
due to foreign accent
- Job performance difficulties resulting from cognitive-linguistic impairments
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Augmentative and Alternative
Communication
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Auditory Processing
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Dyslexia
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Dyscalculia
- Dysgraphia
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PEDIATRIC POPULATION
Speech Therapy for Children include:
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Articulation Therapy
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Language Therapy
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Phonological Awareness Therapy
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Auditory Processing Therapy
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Cognitive Therapy
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Tongue Thrust Therapy
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Feeding/Swallowing Therapy
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Augmentative Communication (devices, PECS, Picture Exchange, sign language)
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Fluency Therapy
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Voice Therapy
SLP's see children with:
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Developmental Disabilities
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Autism/Asperger's/PDD
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Apraxia
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Cleft Lip/Palate
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Various syndromes
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Cerebral Palsy
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Traumatic Brain Injury
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Hearing Impairment
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Attention Deficits
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Vocal Abuse
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Stuttering
OUR TREATMENT APPROACHES INCLUDE:
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Development and training
of Augmentative Alternative Communication Systems
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Training of compensatory
memory strategies
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Training of facilitating
voice techniques
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Training of speech reading
(reading lips)
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Cognitive retraining
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Fluency shaping techniques
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Training of compensatory
swallowing strategies
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Diet modification with
regards to consistency, texture, and temperature
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Change positioning for
feedings
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Oral Motor Exercises
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Oromyofunctional therapy
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Accent Reduction Program
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Voice Therapy for dysarthria
and voice disorders related to Parkinson's Disease
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On sight job task analysis
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Employer education related
to disability of employee
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Attention Processing
Training Program
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Training in word retrieval
strategies
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Apraxia therapy
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Effective communication
training
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Training in esophageal
speech and/or use of voice prosthesis
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Family education and
training
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Coordinate goals and
treatment with the team members
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OUR GOAL IS TO INCREASE INDEPENDENT FUNCTIONING BY IMPROVING:
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Articulation and speech
intelligibility
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Expressive language including
written, verbal, and non-verbal or determining alternative/augmentative communication
equipment needs
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Receptive language (comprehension)
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Swallowing
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Attention
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Memory
- Behavior
- Pragmatic language skills
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Vocal quality
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Auditory processing
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Thought organization
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Time management
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Reasoning and problem
solving
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Family's understanding
of their loved ones strengths and weaknesses
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Family's ability to assist
their loved ones communication needs
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Family education and training
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IEP Consultation
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School Collaboration
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Cotreatment with other disciplines
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SPECIFIC PROGRAMS
Swallowing Therapy (Dysphagia)
Swallowing is often impaired following a stroke, head injury, or with a
progressive disease. When food "goes dow the wrong pipe" it can cause pneumonia which can
have dire results in the elderly or frail. Our Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) are trained
to assess the functioning of the muscles of the mouth (oral motor). Swallowing therapy can include the following:
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Electrical stimulation to the muscles of the, lips, cheeks, jaw to improve
chewing, managing the food, and drooling
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Thermal-sour stimulation with froze lemon swabs to stimulate muscles of the
mouth and throat to improve muscle functioning
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Oral-motor exercises-hands on exercises to improve the strength of the muscles
of the mouth, cheek, and jaw
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Swallowing strategies that change head position, number of swallows, size of bites, etc.
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Diet modifications that change how food is served solid foods or chopped for example
Feeding Therapy (Children)
It is not uncommon for children, especially those with developmental
delays or cerebral palsy, to have problems with eating. Sometimes it's related to weak
muscles in the mouth and other times it's related to a food aversion or a sensitivity to
certain textures or tastes. These problems can cause finicky eating, failure to thrive,
pneumonia, family stress, or social isolation. Our therapists are trained to manage these
issues through techniques that include:
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Exercises for the mouth
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Behavior modification
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Desensitization of the mouth
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Family training
Many times feeding problems are addressed with a team approach that can include
occupational therapists, gastroenterologists, pediatricians, speech pathologists, school nurses, teachers,
and most importantly, the family.
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OMT-Oromyofunctional Therapy (Tongue Thrust)
Tongue Thrusting is the habit of pushing, thrusting or resting the tongue
forward against or between the teeth passively or during swallowing. If this behavior is constant
it can result in forcing the teeth out of alignment.
There are many possible causal factors which can include:
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Thumb or finger sucking
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Frequent nasal congestion or nasal obstruction contributing to mouth breathing,
and/or hereditary factors.
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Most people do not recognize the problem until a dentist or orthodontist points it out.
Following the evaluation, The Continuum offers two different therapy programs:
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Children/Teen: usually 12 to 13 sessions with home practice exercises
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Adults: Usually 6 sessions with a follow-up visit
The success of the program depends on the motivation of the participant,
regular practice of exercises and in the case of a child, management by an adult.
For more information please contact one of our Speech-Language Pathologists.
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