FAQs: Adult Speech-Language
Pathology Services
A. A speech-language pathologist is an individual who has received a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology and holds a New York State License and Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Speech-Language pathologists are trained to diagnose (evaluate) and treat individuals who have communication disorders.
Q. How do I get speech-language pathology services
at Rusk Institute?
A. To receive speech therapy services at Rusk, you
must first have an evaluation by a speech-language pathologist. The
steps are as follows: (1) Obtain a prescription for "Speech evaluation
and treatment" from your doctor (any New York State physician is
accepted); (2) Fax the prescription to 212-263-3961 or send by mail
to Outpatient Registration Department, Rusk Institute.
The Outpatient Registration Department will register you
by verifying your illness codes and insurance coverage.
The Scheduling Department will call you to set up an evaluation appointment.
If, after the evaluation is completed, the speech-language pathologist
determines that you require speech-language services, you will be placed
in an outpatient program.
Q. What types of communication problems do you treat at Rusk
Institute?
A. We specialize in speech and language problems that
are caused by a stroke or traumatic brain injury, or those associated
with diseases such as Parkinson's disease or Multiple Sclerosis. Individuals
with these medical problems often have difficulty pronouncing words
accurately, finding words to express themselves, or speaking loudly
or clearly enough. They may also have trouble understanding speech,
or they may have difficulty reading or writing words in the manner they
once did.
We do not see individuals whose communication difficulty
is due to foreign language or those who have had speech disorders since
childhood.
Q. What is aphasia?
A. Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that
impairs a person's ability to process language but does not affect intelligence.
In addition to the impairment or inability to speak or understand speech,
most people with aphasia also experience difficulty reading and writing.
For more information, see the website of The National Aphasia Association.
Q. What other types of communication problems
may occur in individuals with head injuries, strokes, or neurological
diseases?
A. Individuals with dysarthria have difficulty producing
speech clearly because of speech-muscle weakness or problems in coordination
of their speech muscles. This occurs when the muscles of the tongue,
lips, or larynx (voice box) have been affected by the disease or condition.
Some individuals with neurological diseases have difficulty with their thought processes (i.e. difficulty concentrating, remembering, etc.). This condition is particularly common in people who have had head injuries and is called a cognitive-communication disorder.
Q. Do you see individuals with Alzheimer's disease
or other progressive dementias?
A. Usually we do not see patients with this diagnosis.
However, dementias are complicated and sometimes the speech/language
problem is the most troubling aspect of the individual's problems. We
can be helpful in the diagnosis of the communication disorder associated
with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
More information
about the Rusk Speech-Language Pathology Program
