Speech and Language
Adult Speech and Language Evaluation and Treatment
Evaluation and treatment of speech, language, and cognitive disorders in clients with varying neurologic diagnoses including but not limited to post-stroke aphasia, traumatic brain injury, dementia, and neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., ALS, Parkinson’s disease, other dysarthria or motor speech disorder) are provided. Clients are seen weekly for individual and/or group therapy. Therapy focuses on improving communication skills via a multi-modal approach.
Speech-Language Pathologist/Clinical Educator
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Clinic
Evaluation and treatment services for severe speech and language disorders in adults with varying neurologic diagnoses such as aphasia (post-stroke language impairment) and neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS, Parkinson’s disease, dysarthria, or other motor speech disorders are provided. Both technological and non-technological solutions are examined to support communication across environments. Prescription for a speech-generating device (SGD) may be made following evaluation. Therapy will address set-up and training for implementation of a client’s AAC device.
Speech-Language Pathologist/Clinical Educator
Aural Rehabilitation for Children and Adults
Assessment and intervention services are provided in conjunction with audiologists for individuals with hearing loss from infancy through adulthood. Individual and/or group intervention focuses on optimizing amplification with hearing aids and/or cochlear implants and other assistive technology. In addition, comprehensive treatment to improve or develop auditory perception and comprehension skills, vocabulary and expressive communication skills, as well as effective participation in a variety of interactive situations is provided.
Clinical Educators
BrainBuilders Group
The program seeks to maximize thinking, memory, and communication in a social setting for those demonstrating mild memory losses and who may have been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Group cognitive-communication therapy is held weekly at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN in person or via telepractice. Individuals with more severe memory impairments due to dementia may also access services in the event that the need arises.
Speech-Language Pathologist/Clinical Educators
Child Speech-Language Diagnostic and Treatment Services
Children and adolescents who experience communication difficulties are scheduled for a comprehensive speech and language evaluation. For those who are diagnosed with a speech and/or language disorder, weekly individual or group therapy services may be recommended.
Speech-Language Pathologists/Clinical Educators:
Gender-Affirming Voice and Communication Training Program
The Gender-Affirming Voice and Communication Training program within the Purdue Center for Voice serves gender diverse and trans individuals seeking to adapt their voice and communication in a way that is safe and authentic, resulting in communication patterns that are congruent with their gender identity. Clients are guided to establish healthy and achievable goals, and they are in the driver’s seat when it comes to determining progress. Skilled training is provided in a structured approach in order to transfer new communication skills to everyday situations. This clinic provides affirmative therapy; a non-pathologizing approach to clinical practice that accepts and validates all experiences of gender. The lead Speech-Language Pathologist is registered on OutCare as an LGBTQ+ competent healthcare provider.
Speech-Language Pathologist/Clinical Educator:
Indiana University Health Arnett Hospital
The program is held at the IU Health Arnett Hospital in Lafayette, IN, where students evaluate and treat clients in an acute care and outpatient setting. Assessment and intervention services are provided for adults in the areas of dysphagia, motor speech, cognitive-linguistics, and trach/vent. Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies are performed in collaboration with the Radiology Department.
Speech-Language Pathologist/Clinical Educator:
All referrals for services at IU Health come directly from providers. Please contact your primary care provider for a referral for these services.
Indiana University Health Arnett Outpatient
Diagnostic and therapy services are provided for adults in the areas of voice, dysphagia (swallowing), neurological, and motor speech problems in an outpatient clinic setting. Videostroboscopy is performed by speech-language pathologists. The program is held at the IU Health Arnett Clinic on Greenbush Street.
Speech-Language Pathologist/Clinical Educator:
All referrals for services at IU Health come directly from providers. Please contact your primary care provider for a referral for these services.
Laryngology Clinic
Voice and upper airway diagnostics and therapy are conducted with both children and adults in a medical private practice setting. Collaborative evaluations with the physician and SLP include videostroboscopy and/or Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). Acoustic assessment, as well as respiratory muscle strength testing and training, is performed within the clinic. Evaluation and management of patients for tracheoesophageal prosthesis (TEP) after total laryngectomy is provided. The clinical supervisor is LSVT certified and registered on OutCare as an LGBTQ+ competent healthcare provider. This program is held at Lafayette Otolaryngology Associates (Drs. Berner & Hillsamer), a multidisciplinary private medical practice in Lafayette, Indiana.
Speech-Language Pathologist/Clinical Educator:
All referrals for services at Lafayette Otolaryngology Associates come directly from providers. Please contact your primary care provider for a referral for these services.
Literacy Lab
Literacy Lab integrates traditional speech and language therapy with Orton-Gillingham-based, multi-sensory/multimodal literacy instruction. Literacy Lab is designed to improve literacy skills in students who demonstrate difficulty with reading (decoding, word recognition, and comprehension), writing, and spelling. Instruction is heavily focused on phonemic awareness, phonics, morphological awareness, vocabulary, oral reading fluency, and comprehension utilizing evidence-based practice to build literacy skills in a fun and effective learning environment. The Literacy Lab is co-led by two licensed, certified speech-language pathologists who are highly trained in the prevention, assessment, and treatment of reading difficulties and the science of reading.
Speech-Language Pathologists/Clinical Educators:
Pragmatic Language Groups
Pragmatic Language Groups are offered to provide opportunities for children, teens, and adults with social communication difficulties to interact with peers, learn and practice skills for social interaction, and develop/maintain friendships/relationships. Weekly, 90-minute sessions usually include interactive activities, outdoor time, crafts, whole group, small group, and/or individual time with the assigned clinician. Social skills lessons are developed based on the needs of the participants and may include skills such as turn-taking, topic maintenance, compromising, accepting no, interruption, etc. whereby both direct teaching and practice occurs. Different groups are available at different times throughout the year for specific age groups.
Speech-Language Pathologists/Clinical Educators:
Purdue Center for Voice
The Purdue Center for Voice is a comprehensive voice clinic within the M.D. Steer Speech and Language Clinic on the campus of Purdue University. The latest technology for acoustic and aerodynamic assessment is utilized to thoroughly evaluate a wide range of organic, neurogenic, and functional voice disorders. Individualized treatment plans are aimed at restoring optimal voice production, vocal health, and coordination of respiration and laryngeal valving. Information on specific programs related to Parkinson’s Disease and Gender-Affirming Voice Therapy is available below.
Speech-Language Pathologist/Clinical Educator:
Quick Articulation! Program
The Quick Articulation! program provides assessment and intervention for kindergarten students who are at risk for or demonstrate mild speech sound disorders. The program uses an individual high frequency/high dose service delivery model and incorporates phonemic and morphological awareness to support speech, language, and literacy development. The Quick Articulation! The program is held at a local elementary school in West Lafayette.
Speech-Language Pathologists/Clinical Educators:
Stuttering Diagnostic and Treatment Services
The clinic offers a variety of programs for people who stutter and their families. Therapy is designed to meet clients’ individual needs. Therapy with preschool and grade school children consists of individual sessions combined with parent support/training groups. Adolescents and adults may receive both individual and group therapy. Treatment emphasizes changes in speech patterns and reduces the fear and embarrassment commonly experienced by those who stutter.