Speech & Language

Speech disorders occur when a patient (typically a child) has trouble producing certain sounds. They can be broken down into different categories depending on the nature of the problem. Speech disorders include: Articulation disorders. The patient has trouble with certain syllables or pronounces words incorrectly to such an extent that it is extremely difficult to understand what is…

The treatment for a feeding and swallowing disorders is dependent on their cause. Treatment typically involves medications, swallowing exercises or surgery. For those whose swallowing issues are caused by GERD, lifestyle changes may prevent acid reflux, which in turn can help reduce swallowing difficulties. These changes include: Avoiding alcohol, caffeine and spicy foodsEating smaller and…

Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) affect the muscles in the face and mouth, causing improper tongue posture and issues swallowing. Most originate from insufficient nasal breathing or mouth breathing. Over time, the muscles and orofacial functions adapt to the new breathing pattern, creating an orofacial myofunctional disorders. These disorders can directly or indirectly affect: BreastfeedingFacial skeletal…

Voice Disorders Keeping your voice healthy will ensure you are able to communicate properly, and for some people who rely on it to earn a living – singers, teachers and lawyers, for instance – good voice health is essential. These same individuals tend to put more strain on their vocal cords.  Even those whose professions…

Language disorders aren’t confined to children. Adults may experience problems as well, usually the result of either a disorder they’ve had since childhood or a newly acquired disorder related to disease or trauma. The latter scenario is often accompanied by a loss of function in other areas and poses a threat to a person’s health and quality of life.  What…

A speech sound disorder occurs when a person has difficulty producing speech sounds, affecting his or her ability to communicate. Children often make mistakes as their vocabulary grows, but a speech sound disorder occurs past the age at which they are expected to know how to make the correct sounds.  Sometimes, speech sound disorders continue…

Keeping your voice healthy will ensure you are able to communicate properly, and for some people who rely on it to earn a living – singers, teachers and lawyers, for instance – good voice health is essential. These same individuals tend to put more strain on their vocal cords.  Even those whose professions don’t require…

As children grow, there are certain milestones parents look forward to, such as crawling, walking and speaking. By their first birthday, most children know a word or two; at 18 months, their vocabulary should consist of five to 20 words and include simple two-word sentences. But these are rough guidelines. Every child progresses at a different…

At Ear Nose and Throat Consultants, our speech-language pathologist, Abbie Gacke, is a certified lactation counselor (CLC) with specialized training in infant feeding difficulties. She provides support to mothers and babies who are experiencing latch and position issues, mastitis, low milk supply, tongue and lip ties, oral motor weakness, etc. The goal of lactation counseling…