Specialty Clinics

Accent Modification Training (AMT) is provided to clients on a limited basis during some semesters. AMT is for individuals, who speak English as a second, sometimes third, language and want to improve their spoken English.

 

Our Adult Neurogenic Clinic provides comprehensive evaluations and intensive, one-on-one therapeutic interventions. We include clients and families in developing individualized therapy plans with functional goals addressing the specific needs of each client. Therapeutic interventions focus on functional, contextual activities to improve communication and cognitive skills and facilitate generalization to home, work, and community environments. Individual therapy can be provided for a variety of diagnoses including but not limited to: Aphasia, Motor Speech Disorders ( Apraxia, Dysarthria ), Cognitive-Communication Impairment, Brain Injury, and other neurological disorders, Voice Disorders, and Augmentative Communication. All services are provided under the supervision of LSU Clinical Faculty, Sara G. Mele, M.S. CCC-SLP, and Elaina McMurry, M.A. CCC-SLP

LSU COMD provides adult outpatient speech, language, cognitive, voice and swallowing therapy through a collaboration with Alliance Therapy Services. The focus of this clinic is to provide clinical training to our students in an outpatient medical setting to adults with a variety of disorders and diagnoses. Alliance provides speech therapy, physical and occupational therapy with a multi-disciplinary team. Veronica Moore Walker, M.A./CCC-SLP is the LSU clinical faculty at this site. Approximately 4-6 graduate students are assigned each semester.

Assessment of Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) through a team approach is the focus of this clinic. School-aged (7 years and older) through adults, can receive complete speech-language/reading assessments as well as a complete audiological battery of APD tests. Following assessments, counseling will center on appropriate suggestions for classroom management as well as specific therapy recommendations.

Launch Therapy Center is a non-profit clinic in Denham Springs, La. that provides Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy to the pediatric population. Launch and the LSU Speech, Language, Hearing Clinic work in collaboration to provide a Preschool Language Program to patients in which they receive group and individual speech therapy services at Launch therapy center. Speech-Language Therapy services are coordinated by LSU Clinical Instructor, Kathleen “Keeny” Olinde, M.A., CCC-SLP. The focus of this clinic is to provide speech-language evaluations, treatment plans, and individual and group therapy services to children with speech and language delays. An interdisciplinary team approach is fostered between Speech, Occupational, and physical therapy.

The LSU Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic provides assessment and intervention for speech and language disorders through a collaboration with Louisiana Key Academy. The focus of this clinic is to provide clinical training in a school-based setting to school-aged children, kindergarten through 7th grade, with a variety of speech-language disorders and diagnoses. We provide individual speech therapy sessions while working collaboratively with the child’s classroom teachers and school staff. Services are provided under the supervision of LSU Clinical Faculty, Leslie Weidman, M.S., CCC-SLP.

The LSU Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic provides speech and language assessment and intervention through a collaboration with the LSU University Laboratory School. The focus of this clinic is to provide clinical training in a school-based setting to school-aged children, kindergarten through 5th grade, with a variety of speech and language disorders. We provide both individual and small group therapy sessions while working closely with the child’s classroom teachers and family to achieve the best possible outcome. Services are provided under the supervision of LSU Clinical Faculty, Leslie Weidman, M.S., CCC-SLP.

The Scottish RIte Preschool Speech and Language program is coordinated by Veronica Moore Walker, M.A./CCC-SLP. This program is provided in collaboration with the Scottish Rite Masons. We provide diagnostics and treatment to preschool-age children with a variety of speech and language disorders. The clinic has 3 graduate students each semester with each providing services to 4-5 children. This is a pediatric outpatient clinic from 9-12 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The stroboscopy clinic is coordinated by Veronica Moore Walker, M.A./CCC-SLP. The focus of this clinic is to obtain visualization and to acquire and analyze acoustic measures of the voice. To obtain visualization, the KAY Elemetrics Laryngeal Stroboscope-Model 9400-Digital Stroboscope is used. This equipment allows for observation of the anatomy and physiology of the laryngeal mechanism. To obtain acoustic measures the Computerized Speech Laboratory (CSL) software Model 4400 by KAY Elemetrics is used. The Real-Time Pitch software analyzes the fundamental frequency, duration and intensity of the voice using a phonetically balanced passage and obtaining a spontaneous speech sample. The Multi-Dimensional Voice Profile (MDVP) software program measures the acoustic aspects of the voice. Visualization and acoustical analysis aid in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of different voice disorders. 

SPEAK OUT! & LOUD CROWD 
What is SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd? 
SPEAK OUT! is a therapy regimen tailored to people with Parkinson’s disease to improve their voicing, and in turn, their swallowing. In this program, speech is transformed from an automatic function to an intentional task. SPEAK OUT! is usually completed in 12 sessions spanning four weeks, and then the client transitions to the LOUD Crowd. In this four-week span, clients report improvement in their speaking, their ability to be heard, and their overall quality of life. 
LOUD Crowd is the group therapy portion of the program and meets once weekly. The sessions provide maintenance for skills obtained during SPEAK OUT! and are a source of camaraderie for the members.  
The SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd therapy regimens were developed at Parkinson Voice Project in Richardson, TX.  You can visit their website HERE. 
Where can I receive services? 
All sessions occur through the LSU Speech Language Hearing Clinic. 
I have Parkinson’s disease. When should I begin seeing a speech therapist? 
According to studies, up to 89% of people with Parkinson’s disease develop difficulty communicating and up to 95% develop difficulty swallowing. To postpone and prevent this decline, it is optimal to begin speech therapy as soon as possible. Participation in SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd can change the effects that Parkinson’s disease has on your voice. Muscles become weak because they are not used to their full capacity, not because Parkinson’s is making them weak. SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd requires you to use the muscles for speaking and swallowing to their full potential to prevent decline. 
 
These services are provided by graduate clinicians under the direct supervision of licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologists, Veronica Walker,M.A./CCC-SLP and Elaina McMurry,M.A./CCC-SLP. 
 

This specialized Voice/Dysphagia clinic is coordinated by Melissa T. Lalande M.A., CCC-SLP. This clinic is hosted off-site at the LSU Surgery Center/ENT Clinic in conjunction with Our Lady of the Lake Hospital and LSU Medical School. Clients seen at this clinic primarily are those with voice and/or swallowing disorders following surgical and/or oncologic treatment for head and neck cancer. Examples of services provided include pre-treatment counseling (chemo/radiation), post-radiation voice and swallow rehabilitation, management of patients with tracheostomies including general care and Passy-Muir Valve usage, voice restoration including TEP (tracheoesophageal puncture) placement and management, use of artificial larynx, behavioral management of the voice secondary to a variety of disorders causing aphonia or dysphonia, and facilitating appropriate services needed for adequate and efficient medical intervention.