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More than just improving your speech

02 November 2017

Blog
Rehabilitation
Beyond enhancing your speech, speech pathologists can also assist if you have communication or swallowing difficulties. Our Speech Pathologist Georgie Forsberg explains how.

 

What does a speech pathologist do?

Most people think speech pathologists work solely on improving your speech. This can mean working with you as a child or as an adult to help you overcome a lisp or stutter.

However, speech pathologists can help with a much broader range of conditions, including:

  • communication difficulties after a stroke or brain injury
  • swallowing difficulties
  • neurological conditions affecting speech such as Parkinson’s Disease
  • voice disorders.

What to expect

  • A thorough individual assessment to identify your communication or swallowing issues, which may include a videofluroscopy (a swallow x-ray) to further assess swallowing difficulties
  • Diagnosis and development of a treatment plan taking into account your personal goals
  • Education and advice
  • Collaboration with your doctor and specialist as needed
St John of God Frankston Hospital allied health
Georgia Forsberg - Speech Pathologist
Georgia has over twenty years’ clinical experience as a speech pathologist working with adults. Her expertise in Parkinson’s disease has assisted with the implementation of the Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT®) program at St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital, providing specialist voice therapy for Parkinson’s patients. She is a certified practising member of Speech Pathology Australia and continues to contribute to student supervision through La Trobe University and Melbourne University Clinical Education Programs.