The Speech-Language Pathology Department of the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine was established in 1950 as a component of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation services model developed by Dr. Howard Rusk. The Department is engaged in clinical service, research and graduate training in a rehabilitation medicine environment. It is internationally recognized for its contributions to the speech-language pathology profession and medical specialty area of rehabilitation medicine.
The speech-language pathology staff consists of New York State licensed speech-language pathologists, all of whom hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). The Program Director is board certified in neurologic communication disorders (BC-NCD) by the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences. The Associate Director is a member of the Academy.
The outpatient program provides diagnostic assessment, individual treatment, group therapy, computer assisted treatment and counseling as indicated. Assessment includes
- Language abilities: examination of naming, description, speech fluency, speech repetition, comprehension of spoken language, reading and writing skills.
- Speech production: pronunciation, voicing, rate, rhythm and melody of speech, strength, coordination and agility of lip, tongue and jaw movement.
- Functional communication: assessment of participation in everyday tasks such as using the telephone, conversing in a 1:1 or group setting, understanding and following directions, reading instructions, managing personal business, writing letters and using a computer.
- Impact of communication impairment: focus on ones’ identity as a worker, family member and member of the community.
Services are provided primarily to patients who have communication disorders due to neurological problems including strokes, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebellar degeneration and epilepsy.
The majority of patients served in the adult program have acquired aphasia, dysarthria, or cognitive-communicative disorders. Individuals with aphasia have impaired ability to use or understand language. Those with dysarthria have difficulty articulating words. Individuals with cognitive communication disorders have difficulty with the efficiency of expression and the processing of spoken and written communication. All of these conditions are caused by central nervous system disease or damage.
A patient learns how to tell a
story using his Dynawrite
The Speech-Language Pathology Department also offers a variety of fee-for-service group programs for individuals with communication problems.
- Aphasia Group: focuses on education about aphasia, and enhances functional communication in a supportive group milieu
- Pragmatic Communication Group: increases awareness of pragmatic communication problems and provides practice in interactive skills in a supportive group environment
- Dysarthria Group: focuses on improving speech production skills, social interaction and overall speech intelligibility in a group setting.
- Young Person’s Speech Stimulation Group: for persons between 20 and 40 years of age who require opportunities to interact with peers.
The Speech-Language Pathology Department also offers an Aphasia Community Group Program as a response to the National Aphasia Association (NAA) mandate to provide group opportunities for people with aphasia. The Aphasia Community Group Program includes a variety of non-fee groups that offer opportunities for socialization and leisure activities in a comfortable atmosphere. This important community outreach program is registered with the NAA. The groups are led by trained volunteers and emphasize activities to stimulate communication, including discussions, guest speakers and community outings. Most of the group members no longer participate in a formal rehabilitation program.
The non-fee group includes:
- Discussion Hour: Intended for persons who wish to socialize with others with aphasia
- Aphasia Activity Group: Intended for persons with aphasia who have limited speech production to meet with others and socialize through the playing of card and board games
- Current Events Group: Intended for persons with aphasia to meet and discuss topics of current interest
The Speech-Language Department of the Rusk Institute includes two programs that were developed as a collaborative initiative between the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Department of Otolaryngology: the Cochlear Implant Speech–Language Pathology Program and the Head and Neck Speech Pathology Program.
Click here for a referral form for the Speech and Language program.
