Communication is another vital function that can be significantly enhanced through therapy. Speech-Language Pathology is the study of disorders that affect a person’s communication and/or swallowing capabilities.

Coffey County Hospital Speech Language Pathologist Alesia Lord graduated from Wichita State University in 2005 and joined the Coffey County Hospital rehabilitation team in 2008.  Her patients span all ages.

     *  Children born with birth defects such as cleft palate, cerebral palsy, may begin speech therapy as newborns.

     *  Young children who only babble or play with sounds or who talk but are only understood by the parents should also be considered for speech therapy.

     *  Adult patients usually have health issues that affect the operation of the brain, such as stoke or traumatic brain injury, which impact the individual’s ability to communicate or swallow/eat.  The adult population may also include persons with degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and ALS. Speech pathologists work in medical, educational, and clinical settings.