We help children and adults regain the ability to communicate freely.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Speech Disorders in Children and Adults
Specialized assistance from a speech-language pathologist for communication disorders,
Collaboration among a team of specialists (an otolaryngologist, a physical therapist, an orthodontist, and a psychologist),
Modern therapeutic methods, including speech therapy electrostimulation,
Who is a speech-language pathologist and a neuro-speech-language pathologist?
A speech-language pathologist is a specialist who diagnoses, prevents, and treats speech sound disorders and communication disorders. They help children and adults improve their diction, speech clarity, and fluency. They support the development of proper communication, correct articulation disorders, and teach techniques for proper breathing and use of the speech apparatus.
A neuro-speech-language pathologist is a speech-language pathologist with additional specialization who treats speech disorders resulting from damage to the nervous system. People who have suffered strokes, or who have aphasia, dysarthria, cerebral palsy, autism, or an intellectual disability, are referred to a neuro-speech therapist. At the Impladent Clinic in Gdańsk, speech-language pathologist Anna Bizewska, M.A., collaborates with other doctors and therapists to provide comprehensive care to patients with neurologically based communication disorders.
When should you see a speech-language pathologist?
Children:
- When a child is 12 months old and still isn’t talking,
- When communication difficulties arise,
- Pin cases of muscle tension (open mouth, mouth breathing),
- If you have difficulty eating foods of different consistencies,
- When there are problems with biting, chewing, and swallowing.
Adults:
- After strokes and in the course of aphasia,
- In neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s),
- In cases of facial nerve palsy,
- If you have difficulty eating foods of different consistencies,
- In cases of swallowing disorders (dysphagia).
What does therapy with a speech-language pathologist involve?
A speech-language pathologist begins by conducting a detailed diagnosis, which includes an assessment of the speech apparatus, muscle tone, and communication skills. Based on this, the speech-language pathologist develops an individualized speech therapy plan.
Treatment may include:
- articulation exercises to improve speech clarity,
- stimulation of the facial muscles and articulatory organs,
- learning alternative methods of communication (gestures, communication aids),
- therapy to support proper swallowing and breathing,
- Exercises to support tongue and lip movement.
Each patient receives a set of exercises to do at home, and audiological-speech therapy at Impladent in Gdańsk is conducted in an atmosphere of understanding and patience.
Why is it a good idea to see a speech-language pathologist?
Speech-language therapy and neuro-speech therapy offer many benefits:
- improving communication skills,
- greater self-confidence in social situations,
- a better quality of life,
- compensating for deficits resulting from neurological problems,
- emotional and social support.
A neuro-speech-language pathologist works with other specialists—such as a physical therapist, an ENT specialist, an orthodontist, or a psychologist—to provide comprehensive and effective treatment. This approach delivers tangible results for patients and accelerates the therapy process.
Myofunctional Therapy
This is a specially tailored therapeutic program that involves appropriate exercises for the muscles of the face, tongue, lips, and palate—which promotes proper breathing and improves biological functions such as swallowing, biting, and chewing. During the diagnosis, the structure and function of the articulatory organs—the lips, jaw, tongue, and frenulum—are assessed. The therapy is intended for both children and adults. It is often combined with orthodontic treatment and is provided by speech-language pathologists in collaboration with other specialists, such as orthodontists, physical therapists, and otolaryngologists.
Indications for this type of therapy include problems with breathing, swallowing, and speech, as well as abnormal chewing and malocclusion.
Electrostimulation in Speech Therapy
Speech therapy electrostimulation is a modern adjunct to speech therapy. This method involves stimulating the muscles and nerves in the face and neck using low-frequency currents. As a result, the muscles responsible for speech and swallowing function more efficiently, and the effects of therapy become apparent more quickly.
At the Impladent Clinic in Gdańsk, the procedure is performed by qualified specialists, which ensures the safety and high effectiveness of the treatment.
Indications and therapeutic effects:
Indications:
- abnormal resting position of the tongue,
- difficulties with swallowing and chewing,
- abnormal muscle tone in the face,
- facial nerve palsy,
- bruxism,
- motor aphasia,
- dysphagia,
- post-operative care following a lingual frenectomy,
- supporting speech therapy.
Results:
- improving muscle flexibility and strength,
- stimulating the articulatory system to function more effectively,
- acceleration of healing processes,
- pain relief,
- more effective articulation and breathing exercises,
- faster improvement in speech and swallowing.
At the Impladent Clinic, we provide professional speech therapy and neuro-speech therapy in Gdańsk.
We provide comprehensive therapy—from diagnosis, through an individualized treatment plan, to modern supportive methods such as electrostimulation.
Book an appointment with our speech-language pathologist in Gdańsk and regain the comfort of clear speech and unrestricted communication.