Start with a good online search by using keywords like speech therapy for… stroke, brain injury, adults, etc.

Read bios to find someone who specializes in your specific disorder and age range

Ask questions! (e.g., Do you work with aphasia? How often do you see clients with aphasia? What makes you different than other therapists?)

Don’t be afraid to say it may not be a good fit

The pituitary gland, located behind the top of your nose, is often called the "master" gland because it controls other endocrine glands. It releases hormones that regulate stress (ACTH), thyroid function (TSH), sex hormones (LH and FSH), growth (GH), and lactation (prolactin). The pituitary maintains hormonal balance by adjusting hormone levels based on feedback, much like a thermostat. Brain injuries can disrupt this balance, potentially impacting physical, cognitive, and emotional health. If you suspect hormone issues, consult your doctor.

Each brain injury is unique and can affect various brain functions differently. If you have a brain injury and are employed, you may be entitled to workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to help you perform your job safely and effectively. The ADA considers someone disabled if they have a significant impairment affecting major life activities. For more details, visit ada.gov.

Accommodations for brain injuries may include:

• Attention and Organization: Adjusted lighting, desk tools, noise-canceling headphones, flexible schedules, telework, and organizational apps.

• Fatigue: Reduced hours, flexible schedules, ergonomic equipment, and job restructuring.

• Photosensitivity: Modified lighting, anti-glare filters, and adjusted workspace.

• Emotional Control/Stress: Counseling, job coaching, disability training for colleagues, and support animals.

• Seizures: Designated responders, team training, flexible schedules, modified lighting, and protective gear.

• Reduced Mobility: Grab bars, canes, walkers, scooters, wheelchairs, and modified workspaces.

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) advocates for brain injury awareness and supports the ADA. Accommodations depend on your specific job duties and limitations. If you have questions or face issues with accommodation requests, consult a disability rights attorney for guidance.

Absolutely! The clinician will discuss with you your needs, the results of recent speech/language/cognitive-linguisitc testing and gains that can be expected during the plan of care.

The first visit will be “collaborative” to discuss medical history, hospital course, and what to expect. There will be an assessment to determine the patients current skills. The clinician will review therapy expectations: frequency/attendance, engagement, home exercise program, etc. Most importantly, though, is the focus on building a positive relationship among clinician, patient and family/caregiver to set the tone for ongoing teamwork. It takes a village at times to get through an injury. Referrals to other professionals may be recommended as part of the treatment plan if the client shows difficulties in areas outside of the speech pathologist's scope of practice. This may include audiology, ENT, occupational therapy, physical therapy, orthodontists, oral myologists, etc. 

Lauren has worked with adults and children/teenagers with traumatic brain injury, stroke (non-traumatic brain injury), Parkinson’s disease, ALS, spinocerebellar ataxia, head and neck cancer, dysphonia (voice disorders), disorders of consciousness, and vocal cord dysfunction. She can provide treatment for attention, memory, executive functioning, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), aphasia (loss of language), dysarthria (slurred speech), speech generating devices, voice disorders, and more. 

Yes! We offer speech therapy to adults and children! We also work closely with other partners to provide connections with both physical and occupational therapy. 

Telepractice is delivering speech and language therapy using technology when the service provider (speech language pathologist) is in a different location than the client. Other names for telepractice include telespeech, speech teletherapy, or telerehabilitation. Clinicians report using telepractice to address multiple speech and language disorders, including articulation disorders, dysarthria, language disorders, cognitive disorders, dysphagia, voice disorders, and orofacial myology disorders.

(American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)

Family/caregiver coaching sessions and public speaking skills training are also provided via telepractice.