Speech Therapy

Burnett Medical Center’s Rehabilitation Department is here to help those within our community. This includes speech therapy, and our visiting rehabilitation expert, Erik Belgum, who is dedicated to our patients and providing care for life.

Speech therapy, also referred to as speech-language therapy, is the treatment that helps patients improve verbal communication. Speech therapy is commonly thought of as a treatment only for kids with speech disorders, but it can help patients at any age. It can help people struggling with speech, language, and the sound of their voice. People who have difficulty swallowing can also be evaluated and treated. Someone may need to see a speech therapist because they have recently had surgery, experienced a stroke, brain injury or have another condition that has affected their communication skills.

Erik is an experienced practitioner, providing prevention, screening, consultation, assessment and treatment for our patients. This includes treating speech problems such as: 

  • Articulation difficulties
  • Delayed speech 
  • Aphasia-partial or total loss of the ability to speak or understand language 
  • Stuttering
  • Swallowing difficulties
  • Voice disorders

Beginning with identifying the speech or language disorder affecting a patient, Erik will work with him/her to determine the cause and create a custom treatment plan. The treatment plan can include tools and resources for the patient to do on his/her own at home. He can work to help treat other communication problems like:

  • Receptive language
  • Expressive language
  • Social communication

 

In determining the best treatment for each individual patient, Erik can provide therapy in one-on-one or small group sessions. Speech therapy may be beneficial for just one session, for a few months, and for some, a few years. The earlier a patient begins speech therapy, the more helpful it can be. Language difficulties can be a lifelong obstacle, but skills can improve with the support and help of BMC’s speech therapist, providing you care for life.

Call us today