Communique Therapy

Therapy focuses on treatment of voice production, oral motor strength/coordination, word finding, language processing, reading, writing, augmentative/alternative communication strategy & device training/programming, & caregvier education/training.

Therapy is also available for clients who use trache/vent support as well as Passy-Muir Valves, indwelling prostheses, & clients who have had laryngectomy (trache/vent services require medical clearance by the client's doctor, respiratory therapist, &/or ENT specialist).

Therapy focuses on attention, alertness, thought organization, reasoning, problem solving, safety awareness, computations, memory, orientation, & caregiver training/education. Our primary goal is to assist the client to improve functional independence in the performance of daily living tasks to facilitate a successful work, educational, social, &/or community re-entry experience.

Therapy focuses on improvement of acceptance of new textures (for clients who have tactile defensiveness), increasing oral-pharyngeal/laryngeal strength/coordination, & the use of functional strategies to facilitate safe intake of food/liquids &/or improve secretion management.

For clients who are safe for oral intake, food/liquid trials are modified to the least restrictive consistencies judged safest for the client. Optimal safety & a conservative, but agressive approach are taken, including regular monitoring of client temperatures, chest x-rays (when available from the MD), & informally by chest sounds. Food/liquid trials are presented along with caregiver education & training for strategy cuing as well as demonstration of how to prepare recommended consistencies.  

Clients who require trache/vent support & or use a G-tube/PEG may also be candidates for oral diets. Evaluation & training to determine the least restrictive diet consistencies safe for oral intake are provided with doctor/respiratory therapist/ENT specialist approval.

For those clients who are still judged high aspiration risks & unable to safely accept oral intake, there are several approaches available to facilitate recovery. Examples of therapy approaches without food/liquid intake include thermal stimulation, gustatory stimulation, & oral motor exercises. Future VitalStim program use of electrical stimulation is expected to also be available by Fall, 2009.