Speech-Language Pathology Services
At Brooks we treat a wide variety of speech and language problems including aphasia, motor speech disorders, swallowing disorders and more. To request an evaluation and learn more, reach out to us below.
Find speech therapy care at Brooks
We have multiple outpatient facilities with vast treatment options for speech-language pathology therapy throughout the greater Jacksonville, Fernandina, St. Augustine, Daytona, Orlando and Tampa regions.
Speech therapy treatments available at Brooks
We treat a wide variety of speech and language problems including aphasia, motor speech disorders, swallowing disorders and more for kids, teens and adults.
Aphasia therapy
Aphasia therapy consists of various language treatments to improve the patient’s ability to talk, understand, read and write more effectively. We educate the patient and caregiver on ways to decrease communication barriers and improve overall communication skills.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) therapy
AAC provides a person with a language system for independent communication at a level that respects their overall intelligence and desired level of communication.
Cognitive therapy
Cognitive therapy consists of various activities and strategies to improve a patient’s attention, executive functioning, organization, memory, orientation and visuospatial skills. This type of therapy improves a patient’s ability to manage activities of daily living (i.e. making financial decisions, medication management).
Motor Speech Treatment
Brooks offers motor speech disorder treatments at select outpatient clinic locations and home health services. This therapy helps address the motor functions of speech after a brain injury or stroke.
Neurological speech and language therapy
Speech-language therapy can be helpful for individuals who experience new or longstanding difficulties with communication, cognition, voice, speech, and swallowing as a result of changes in the brain, such as brain cancer, brain injury, stroke, and/or degenerative conditions (Parkinson Disease, Dementia, ALS, Primary Progressive Aphasia).
Oncology speech and language therapy
For individuals embarking on radiation therapy for oral, head and neck cancer(s), SLP services can help to manage common changes in swallowing that occur early on in radiation therapy and/or later on into survivorship.
Pediatric speech and language therapy
Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy looks at different areas of communication, including receptive and expressive language, articulation, fluency (stuttering), feeding and swallowing, and pragmatics. Pediatric speech therapy works with children 0-18 to improve overall language skills and help patients engage and attend to tasks to increase understanding and expression of their wants and needs to familiar and unfamiliar listeners. Pediatric therapy also focuses on safe and sufficient swallow to reduce any signs or symptoms of choking or distress when engaged in meals.
Swallow therapy
Swallow therapy consists of various exercises, techniques, strategies and diet modifications. We educate the patient and caregiver on ways to minimize the risk of aspiration (choking) so that the patient can safely reach his/her least restrictive diet and maintain a good quality of life.
Voice therapy
Voice therapy consists of various exercises, techniques and behavior modifications. These activities are developed to improve a patient’s vocal quality so that they can be heard and understood in a variety of environments.
Frequently asked questions
Patients will need a referral from their physician before starting speech therapy at Brooks. Once obtained, the patient schedules their initial evaluation at the clinic that best offers the services necessary for their recovery. However, at our Aphasia Center and in our community programs, you do not need a referral.
The first appointment with a speech-language pathologist is the initial evaluation. The evaluation involves an interview, testing and clinical observation. An SLP will ask various questions about the patient’s medical history, complaints and ultimate goals for therapy.
Then, the therapist administers tests to establish a baseline and determine areas of improvement. Based on the interview responses and the performance on the tests, the therapist develops a plan of care and goals for that patient.
Next, we schedule the patient for the recommended appointments. During the follow-up appointments, the therapist educates the patient on their goals, plan of care and discusses strategies and techniques that are helpful for the patient to utilize. The therapist also develops various tasks/activities for the patient to perform throughout their future sessions to help reach their goals.
The benefits of speech and language therapy vary for each patient depending on their individualized goals.
We help patients speak more clearly and fluently, understand/use language more efficiently, improve vocal quality, increase swallow safety and enhance their cognitive skills for a better quality of life.
When a patient finishes therapy, they can safely utilize strategies and techniques independently or with minimal assistance outside of the clinic. We expect them to confidently maintain their level of communication, swallowing skills, cognitive abilities and vocal quality in various scenarios of their daily life.
A speech-language pathologist is an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)-certified specialist at Brooks who treats pediatric patients and adults in the areas of voice, swallowing, cognitive therapy, language therapy, motor speech and more. They are passionate therapists who provide quality care in Brooks’ patient-centered continuum of care.
Request care
Brooks’ system of care accepts multiple types of insurance, as well as Medicare and Florida Medicaid. We also provide self-pay options when insurance no longer covers treatment.
Brooks partners with health care systems locally, statewide, nationally and internationally — accepting referrals from most acute hospitals and physicians.
Visit our price transparency page to better understand our hospital fees. These are estimates and not a guarantee of final cost after insurance.