Welcome to the Resources/Links Page of our website! We hope that this information will provide you with helpful information and resources for your questions about speech, language, hearing, swallowing, balance and related disorders. We would also welcome feedback about additional areas you would like to see information on….

First, some basic information:

What is a Speech-Language Pathologist? A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is a state licensed, nationally certified healthcare or educational professional who provides diagnostic and treatment services to address disorders of speech, language, hearing, cognition, swallowing and literacy.

What are the requirements to practice? In Massachusetts, Speech-Language Pathologists must have a state license, issued by the Board of Registration in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Most Speech-Language Pathologists also have the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. A Master’s Degree is the minimum educational requirement for practice in the state.

What is an Audiologist? An Audiologist is a state licensed healthcare professional who provides diagnostic and treatment services related to disorders of hearing and balance. Audiologists can fit people with hearing aids, help with assistive listening devices, or provide support around issues related to hearing loss.

What are the requirements to practice? In Massachusetts, Audiologists must have a state license from the Board of Registration. Audiologists may also have the Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA, or Board Certification from the American Academy of Audiology. Audiology will be a doctoral level profession by 2011. Currently, the Master’s Degree is the minimum requirement.

How do I find out if my Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist is licensed? You can go to the Division of Professional Licensure website, at www.mass.gov/dpl. Go to the page for the Board of Registration in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and follow the links to search the database of currently licensed professionals in the Commonwealth.

Where do Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists work? Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists work in a variety of settings, working with people from infancy through geriatrics. We work in hospitals, public and private schools, clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, Early Intervention, and with public agencies. Many clinicians also work in private practice or home care.

What is an assistant? A Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology Assistant is a person licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration to provide specific services under the DIRECT supervision of a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist. They have an Associates or Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in Communication Disorders. They work within a highly specified scope of practice to assist the Master’s level clinician with routine tasks. They are not allowed to practice independently, and they have specific supervision requirements. If you are to receive services from an Assistant, you should be explicitly notified.

How do I find out if my insurance company covers services for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology? Many insurance companies have limits on what they will cover with regard to speech-language or hearing services. Prior to contacting a Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist, you should check with your primary care physician and your primary carrier to find out about your specific plan. For more information about insurance benefits and how to advocate for coverage with your employer, go to the ASHA website, www.asha.org, and click on the tab marked For the Public.

Aphasia: Aphasia is a speech-language or cognitive disorder that results from stroke. It can affect any of the modalities of communication, including comprehension, expression, speech, reading, writing or swallowing. Below are some resources for stroke:

National Stroke Assoc.:www.stroke.org

American Stroke Assoc.: www.strokeassociation.com

Mayo Clinic: www.mayoclinic.com/health/stroke/DS00150

Brain Aneurysm Foundation: www.bafound.org

National Aphasia Assoc.:www.aphasia.org

Academy of Neurological Communication Disorders and Sciences: www.ancds.org

Apraxia of Speech: Also known as Childhood Apraxia of Speech or Dyspraxia: Apraxia of speech is a difficulty in planning, sequencing and producing the movements necessary for intelligible speech. It is not due to muscular weakness or paralysis. Acquired Apraxia results from damage to the speech area of the brain, as in stroke or brain injury. Childhood Apraxia of Speech is present from birth and can significantly impact speech development and expressive language. Some resources include:

ASHA: www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/ChildhoodApraxia.htm

Casana: www.Apraxia-kids.org

www.disabilityresources.org

www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/apraxia.htm

www.speechville.com

www.kidspeech.com

www.ancds.org

Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) refers to modes of communication other than speech. Some AAC methods are utilized by many people on a daily basis, including gestures, writing, drawing, body language and facial expressions. For individuals with severe speech or language issues, AAC techniques are essential in helping them to communicate their wants, needs, ideas and thoughts. Some examples include sign language, switch activated devices, picture systems and voice output devices. All of these techniques are adapted to meet the specific needs of the client, and allow people to participate in social interactions and daily life.

American Speech-Language Hearing Association: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/AAC.htm

International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication: www.isaac-online.org/select_language.html

United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication: www.ussaac.org

Autism: Autism is a developmental disorder that affects social relationships, play skills and communication skills. Language and communication skills are significantly affected by this disorder or unknown etiology. Autism is a spectrum disorder, with a wide range of disabilities. Some resources include:

http://www.thegraycenter.org/

http://www.autism-society.org/

http://www.rettsyndrome.org/

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/

Brain Injury: Traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain is subject to force or trauma. TBI can range from mild to severe, involving coma. Recovery from TBI is a slow process that requires individualized care and long-term support. Some resources include:

National Rehab Information Center: www.naric.com

Brain Injury Association of America: www.biausa.org

Mayo Clinic: www.mayoclinic.com/health/traumatic-brain-injury/DS00552

www.traumaticbraininjury.com

Dementia: Dementia is a group of symptoms related to memory loss and decreased cognitive function. Symptoms usually worsen and are irreversible. Alzheimer’s disease is the most well-known example of a condition including dementia. Some resources include:

Alzheimer’s Association: www.alz.org

www.dementia.com

Alzheimer’s Foundation: www.alzfdn.org

Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation: www.alzinfo.org

Dementia Support Group Online: www.dailystrength.org\

Dizziness: Dizziness is a term that people often use to describe a variety of symptoms: vertigo, disequilibrium and syncope.

The eyes, inner ears, joints and muscles of the body all work together to give us balance. Balance is what allows us to walk a straight line, keep our head and body upright, bend and roll over without difficulty. A problem with any of the systems can cause dizziness.

Vertigo is spinning sensation. It may also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Inner ear problems often cause vertigo, because conflicting signals are sent to the brain from the eyes, inner ear and body. Problems in the inner ear may include changes in the inner ear structures, infection, swelling, or excess fluid.

Disequilibrium is an imbalance feeling without a spinning sensation. It can have many causes. Some of these include: diabetes, anemia, head injury, and aging.

Syncope is the loss of consciousness or fainting. Heart problems are generally the root cause of fainting because the brain needs oxygen-rich blood to function properly. Whenever the blood flow to the brain is compromised, fainting may occur.

Resources:

The Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) www.vestibular.org 800-837-8428

American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) www.entnet.org 703-836-4444

American Heart Association (AHA) www.americanheart.org 800-242-8721

Dysphagia: Dysphagia is a problem with swallowing. It can result from an illness or injury, such as stroke or cancer, or be present in infants and children. Swallowing issues can affect the ability to safely eat a variety of textures to support nutrition and weight gain, or it can be related to infection or other medical conditions. In extreme cases, poor swallowing can result in the need for nutrition to be given via alternative means such as a G-tube. Swallowing disorders require skilled intervention to manage them and maintain safety. Dysphagia services should be provided by a Speech Pathologist with training and expertise in this area. Some resources include:

www.asha.org

www.nidcd.nih.gov

www.dysphagia.com

www.dysphagiaonline.com

www.reflux.org

www.new-vis.com

www.preemietalk.org

www.novartisnutrition.com

American Geriatrics Society: www.healthinaging.org/public_education/falls_index.php

Falls Prevention Center of Excellence: www.stopfalls.org/

National Center for Injury Prevention & Control: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/spotlite/falls.htm and www.cdc.gov/ncipc/falls/default.htm

American Physical Therapy Association: www.apta.org/Content/Navigation/Menu/Consumer/consumer1.htm

Massachusetts Physical Therapy Association: www.aptaofma.org

American Occupational Therapy Association: www.aota.org

American Society on Aging: www.asaging.org

Thriving at Home: www.thrivingathome.com

Fluency Disorders: Dysfluency, or stuttering, is a speech disorder in which the forward flow of speech is disrupted by repetitions, prolongations, or stops at the sound, syllable or word level. These types of speech patterns when they increase in frequency, or are accompanied by facial grimaces, body tension or other struggle behaviors. Stuttering usually presents in childhood and persists through the adult years. There is no cure for stuttering; however, Speech-Language Pathologists use a variety of techniques to help clients manage stuttering more effectively in their daily lives. Some resources include:

www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/stuttering.htm

www.stutter.ca

www.stutteringhelp.org

www.stutterisa.org

www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/stutter.asp

www.nsastutter.org

Hearing Loss/Impairment and Deafness: Hearing loss is one of the most common communication issues facing aging adults. With the increase in the use of personal listening technology such as IPods, hearing loss is being seen in younger and younger adults. Thousands of children are born each year with hearing loss, many identified soon after birth thanks to the mandate for screening of all newborns in the Commonwealth. Hearing loss can range from mild to profound; the degree of loss relates to the level of communication impairment. There are many options for children who are found to have hearing loss in infancy; early fitting of amplification and intervention has significant benefits for long term skill development and communication ability. Audiologists diagnose hearing loss and work with families and educational teams to provide comprehensive services. Some resources include:

www.asha.org

www.audiology.org

www.audiologynet.com

www.agbell.org

www.babyhearing.org

www.betterhearing.org

www.boystownhospital.org

www.hearingconservation.org

www.skihi.org

www.mass.gov/mcdhh

www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/

www.shhh.org

www.turnittotheleft.com

Language Based Learning Disabilities: Learning disabilities affect how a child or adult processes information. This inability to process proficiently and effectively leads to brain based differences that may be present at birth. Language based learning disabilities are learning disabilities that affect aspects of language including reading, spelling and/or writing. They may also have difficulties with organizing and formulating ideas, finding the right words, and expressing themselves, particularly in on-demand situations.

ASHA: www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/LBLD.htm

Learning Disabilities Association: www.ldanatl.org

Learning Disabilities Online: www.ldonline.org

Dyslexia Research Institute: www.dyslexia-add.org

Dyslexia Awareness and Resources Center: www.dyslexiacenter.org/main.shtml

Literacy: Speech-Language Pathologists work on helping children develop literacy skills, including phonological and phonemic awareness, letter-sound relationships, and written language skills. These skills are intimately connected to oral language skills.

International Reading Association: http://www.reading.org/

Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement: http://www.ciera.org/

National Institute for literacy: http://www.nifl.gov/

http://literacyconnections.com/

Literacy Connections provides a wealth of information on reading, teaching and tutoring techniques, ESL literacy, and adult literacy. We recommend resources that are useful for teachers, volunteers, and directors of literacy programs. Topics include the language experience approach, phonics, word study, and the best in children's literature.

Voice Disorders: Voice disorders include problems with making voice and coordinating voicing with respiration. Voice disorders can include pathology resulting from misuse or vocal abuse, injury or illness. Common symptoms include hoarseness, harshness, breathiness or low volume. Those who have voice issues should be seen by an ear, nose and throat specialist before starting treatment in order to rule out significant medical issues.

www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/voice.htm

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/voicedisorders.htm

www.gbmc.org/voice/disorders.fcm

www.voiceproblem.org

www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice

www.emedicine.com/ent

MISCELLANEOUS:

Parkinson's disease Foundation: www.pdf.org

National Parkinson Foundation: www.parkinson.org

American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc.: www.apdaparkinson.org/user/index.asp

Massachusetts Chapter: www.apdama.org

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: www.michaeljfox.org

ALS Assoc.: www.alsa.org

MS Foundation: www.msfacts.org

National Multiple Sclerosis Association: www.nationalmssociety.org

Massachusetts Chapter: mam.nationalmssociety.org/site/Search

Pediatric Special Needs Resources for Massachusetts Families: www.SpecialNeedsMA.com