Portneuf Medical Center - Pocatello, Idaho

Physical Medicine

Speech-language pathologists at Portneuf Medical Center provide a wide range of services including evaluation and treatment for pediatric and adult patients.

Portneuf Medical Center’s Speech Pathology Department works in conjunction with your physician to provide speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing/feeding services. Below are some of the services provided by our team of highly qualified professionals:

Voice Therapy

Portneuf Medical Center has recently obtained new equipment to assess and treat voice disorders of children and adults. This state of the art computer system will provide information to improve vocal function, which may be impaired by abuse, cancer and other diseases, or decreased muscle function.

Fluency Therapy

Out therapists are trained to assist individuals with stuttering problems improve their ability to communicate.

Articulation Therapy

Treatment of articulation deficits, or not being able to say correct speech sounds, is available for toddlers through geriatrics. Young children may not learn the processes to make correct speech sounds. Intervention can help children speak normally. Treatment is also beneficial for adults that have difficulty producing correct speech sounds following a stroke or a traumatic brain injury.

Stroke Related Speech and Language Deficits

Individuals experiencing a stroke or "Brain Attack" may note difficulties speaking or "finding the words" they want to say. Treatment is available to maximize speech and language skills.

Childhood Language Delays

Children occasionally have difficulties learning to use correct grammar or use language at the same level as their peers. Some may have difficulty in understanding language at their age appropriate level. Intervention can assist the children to improve their language abilities.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems

Individuals who are unable to communicate via speech may benefit from augmentative and alternative communication systems, such as electronic computerized devices, or simple picture communication boards. Our therapists are trained to determine the most appropriate communication device and have experience obtaining these devices for our clients. Our therapists are also experienced in creating simple communication boards that can be assembled in our office.

Cognitive Impairments and Delays

These include non-verbal learning disabilities, which include social deficits, organizational impairments, and problem solving skills. Memory deficits, following a stroke, brain injury or other disease process, can also be treated via compensatory strategies and specific memory exercises.

Auditory Processing Impairments and Delays

Our staff is trained in the identification and treatment of auditory processing impairments, which may be described as being able to hear, but not being able to understand. Specialized programming can assist these individuals improve their processing abilities.

Hearing Impairments and Cochlear Implants

Therapist trained to use the WASP program are available to provide intervention to children with newly activated cochlear implants. Services are also available to children with hearing impairments and cochlear implants to improve their speech, language, and listening skills.

Artificial Larynx and Tracheostomy Speech

Speech therapists trained to place and instruct clients to use Passey Muir Valves are available. These valves assist an individual with a tracheostomy to use their voice to communicate. We also can assist our clients in obtaining an artificial larynx and train them to use it following a laryngectomy, commonly after cancer surgery.

Feeding and Swallowing Therapy-Dysphagia

We have specialized therapists available to treat infants, pediatrics, and adults with feeding and/or swallowing problems. There is a lactation consultant on staff, as well. Infant feeding problems commonly occur when infants are premature and our feeding professionals can get your baby on the right track. We can also assist babies and toddlers that will not eat solid foods to eat solid foods, and very "picky" eaters eat a more healthy variety of foods. Children with sensory/motor feeding problems also will benefit from therapy.

Adults can also experience chewing and swallowing problems. We offer a variety of intervention techniques, including deep pharyngeal neuro-muscuclar stimulation (DPNS) and VitalStim therapy. Vitalstim is a treatment approach that uses electrical stimulation to improve the function of the muscles involved with swallowing and is provided by certified therapists. DPNS uses the brain's reactions to oral sensation to "trick" the muscles into initiating a swallow and is performed by a certified therapist. These techniques are used in combination with other resources, including positioning, exercises, and food textures, to improve the safety and nutrition of the patient.

Our staff is trained to perform modified barium swallow studies, which are a radiological assessment procedure to examine the swallow function. These can be performed on infants through geriatrics. We can also perform an assessment at the tableside, as needed.

For additional information about inpatient rehabilitation services, outpatient services, or contract services, please call us at (208) 239-1490, or stop by our outpatient office at 515 E Benton in Pocatello Idaho.