Center For Swallowing and Speech-Language Pathology
Millions of people are affected by acute or chronic swallowing disorders (dysphagia) annually. Causes may include neurological disorders, such as stroke or Parkinson's Disease, or mechanical disorders, such as those related to head/neck surgery. In children, causes may be related to prematurity or developmental disorders.
The Center for Swallowing and Speech-Language Pathology (CSSLP) is the first of its kind in Brooklyn, and one of only a few in New York City. It incorporates the expertise of professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide the community with the latest available techniques for the evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders. These specialties include speech-language pathology, neurology, gastroenterology, otolaryngology, clinical nutrition, radiology, nursing, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy and pulmonology, among others.
The Center provides evaluation and treatment services to inpatients and outpatients. Specialists that work with children are also available. Current services include:
- Swallowing evaluation — for the assessment of dysphagia. This may include a clinical examination followed by an instrumental exam such as videofluoroscopy/modified barium swallow (an x-ray for swallowing) or endoscopy, among others.
- Swallowing therapy — direct neuromuscular treatment, as well as state-of-the-art biofeedback equipment is utilized to achieve the best outcomes.
- Speech-language evaluation — for the assessment of language, motor speech, voice and others.
- Speech-language therapy — to treat a variety of disorders of communication.
Specialized services include augmentative communication devices, as well as the use of the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) technique.
All speech-language pathology staff is certified in LSVT and trained on the use of the Digital Swallow Workstation, the latest equipment available for evaluating and treating disorders of swallowing and/or speech. NYP Brooklyn Methodist Hospital is one of few hospitals in New York City with this equipment available to its patients.
Bilingual/multicultural staff are also available: English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese/Mandarin. Because NYP Brooklyn Methodist is a teaching hospital, access to student clinicians that speak a variety of other languages are also available.