Communication is the power to connect.

Prior to a patient coming into the facility, they are contacted to ensure the therapist is prepared to assess the primary concern. There will be a short discussion with the family member/caregiver regarding the history of the problem and how it has been addressed. They may be asked to bring records if they have had a Modified Barium Swallow Study or have records from school, etc. Sometimes we request that food is brought with you to be used for the assessment.

Upon entering the clinic, patients and caregivers are welcomed in a calm, clean environment. Our therapists introduce themselves and engage with both the patient & caregiver and find out the details pertinent to the patient’s lifestyle. We use that information to modify the space to meet their particular sensory needs.

For the first visit, we focus on an evaluation of our patient’s skills. We begin by going over what we will be doing during the assessment and try to keep our patients as informed as much as possible. We interview the family/caregiver and go over the patient’s history. We may look at articulation, language, cognition, and/or swallowing. We talk through what has been attempted, and what has worked in the past. We go through physical barriers and make the assessments as fun as possible for our patients.

Throughout each appointment, therapists and staff ensure that we communicate each step in a way that our patients can understand (verbal, visual, pictures, communication devices, etc). We discuss specific questions and concerns the patient and family/caregiver may have. We do our best to provide a variety of materials and give our patients choices and independence.

The steps and progress plan will depend on each patient’s individual needs. In the case of a communication deficit, we may need to work with the family and introduce a communication style. Sometimes this requires adaptive equipment and a device. We work to help with mastery over several months. With some patients, it may take longer to find a successful communication method due to their physical or cognitive challenges. The steps always are unique and individual to each person. We do everything in our power to discover the resource that will work for their specific needs in order to build their communication and confidence.

As you leave, we hope you feel relief. You are not alone. You take a deep breath. The pressure is alleviated, and you know that you have a whole team here working together to coordinate the best possible care and outcome. The therapists, medical professionals, dentists, BCBA, and specialists are all working together with you! You came to the right place. We can look to the future together, with great expectations!