Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), also known as “speech therapists”, offer therapy services for individuals across the lifespan who have difficulty with communication and swallowing.

SLPs help with communication issues related to understanding and/or production of speech and language (e.g. listening, speaking, reading, writing, etc.) as well as cognition. Speech disorders include phonetics, stuttering, and issues with the voice, such as hoarseness and pitch. Language disorders include difficulties within a language regarding its grammar, sentence structure, meaning, and social use (e.g. body language). Cognition disorders include deficits related to attention, memory, problem solving, and executive functioning.

SLPs help by assisting clients who have issues with what is called dysphagia, which are difficulties with eating, drinking, and/or swallowing.

For children, pediatric swallowing disorders, refers to those difficulties children experience when swallowing food and/or liquids. Conditions of this kind can lead to inadequate nutrition and growth issues, and it may be caused by various health problems affecting the muscles and nerves involved in swallowing.

On the other hand, for adults, swallowing disorders therapy, can include exercises and techniques to improve the strength and coordination of the muscles used in swallowing. Therapy can help to reduce the risk of choking and improve overall swallowing function, often tailored to individual needs and symptoms.

SLPs serve individuals across the lifespan. The age can range from newborn to older people. People can be born (e.g. Cleft lip and/or palate, Down Syndrome, etc.), or have a health-related event (e.g. stroke, brain injury, etc.) that causes the need for therapy by an SLP.

Sessions can last 30-45 minutes and be one or more times a week. Depending on the severity of the communication disorder, consistency of practice of therapy skills, and other factors, therapy services may last three months or longer before discharge or conclusion of services.

SLPs are usually referred through primary care doctors in medical/clinical settings (i.e. hospitals, clinics, etc.), by parents or teachers in educational settings (i.e. schools), or occasionally by reaching out directly to the SLP.

Upon receiving a referral, an SLP will then interview the prospective client and family to obtain a case history of relevant information that would suggest the need for SLP services, as well as use testing may be used to determine what are the client's therapy needs. From these, the SLP will write up a plan of care that includes SLP goals for the patient and determines treatment needs and times of scheduled appointments.

MS, CCC-SLP is an abbreviation for Masters Degree of Science and Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology.

Payment can be made through private pay (through check, Zelle, Paypal, and Venmo) as well as Idaho Medicaid and Class Wallet/Empowering Parents.​

Please call or text: (208) 502-0319 or email: director@caritaschristicomms.org!