Speech-Language Pathology

At The University of Vermont Medical Center, our Speech-Language Pathologists evaluate and treat a large range of communication and swallowing disorders. These include problems with speech, voice, language, thinking and swallowing. These problems can result from neurological conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, head and neck cancer, Parkinson's disease, swallowing complications from birth - or from infections and other causes.

Speech Pathology: What You Need to Know

Teamwork

At The UVM Medical Center you are in capable, caring hands. Our highly skilled team of professionals work closely with clinicians from all disciplines and provides services throughout The UVM Medical Center, caring for patients wherever there is a need.

Personalized Care

We provide inpatient, outpatient and rehabilitation services for patients of all ages -- from premature infants to the elderly - with a focus on the whole patient.

Experienced, Trusted Expertise

Speech-Language Pathologists at The UVM Medical Center are experienced, highly skilled health care professionals who have national certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and are licensed by the State of Vermont.

As part of a university hospital, our Speech-Language Pathologists are also actively involved in national conferences and research, with access to the latest medical knowledge and innovations in the field.

What Speech Conditions Do We Treat?

The following are some of the conditions, the UVM Medical Center treats:

• Aphasia - loss of language, including difficulty with talking, understanding language, reading or writing
• Cognitive-Communication Disorders - a wide range of communication problems that affect your ability to think effectively and efficiently
• Difficulty with memory or recall
• Dysarthria - slurred speech
• Dysphagia - difficulty swallowing in children and adults
• Verbal/Oral Apraxia - a condition that affects the ability to consistently make sounds or words following the same pattern -- not related to muscle weakness. The condition also involves problems with oral-motor functioning (movement of the lips, tongue, jaw and cheeks)
• Voice disorders - Loss of voice quality, or problems with pitch, loudness and other aspects of the voice
• Word-finding problems - tip-of-tongue syndrome: the person knows what he or she wants to say, but is having trouble coming up with the word

Speech-Language Evaluations and Treatment

Speech-Language Pathologists at The UVM Medical Center offer the latest diagnostic tests,  procedures and treatment. We help patients address difficulties related to speech, swallowing and communication skills, so they can function as independently as possible. In cases where it may not be possible for patients to perform certain skills, we focus on patient and family education and helping patients to develop compensatory strategies for the loss of ability or function.

Find a Speech-Language Pathologist at The UVM Medical Center or call (802) 847-3970.

Speak OUT!® Program

People who complete the SpeakOUT!® program for Parkinson's disease are offered a weekly (free-of-charge) maintenance support group called the LOUD Crowd® run by University of Vermont Medical Center Speech-Language Pathologists. The Loud Crowd group is generously supported by the Parkinson’s Voice Project (https://www.parkinsonvoiceproject.org/).

Contact: (802) 847-3970 for further information.