ASHA-Certified Specialists

Adult Speech
Therapy

When something changes in the way you speak, swallow, or find words, it touches every part of your life -- conversations with people you love, confidence at work, even the simple act of ordering coffee. If you or someone close to you is dealing with that right now, we want you to know: there are real, proven ways to get better. Our ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists work with adults through stroke recovery, neurological conditions, voice concerns, accent modification, and gender-affirming voice therapy.

About This Service

What Is Adult Speech Therapy?

Adult speech therapy is the evaluation and treatment of communication and swallowing problems that develop later in life. Maybe it started after a stroke, a traumatic brain injury, or a diagnosis like Parkinson's disease, ALS, or multiple sclerosis. Maybe it came on gradually -- vocal strain from years of overuse, or changes after head and neck cancer treatment. Whatever brought you here, the goal is the same: figuring out exactly what is going on and building a clear path forward.

At Speech Therapy Plus, we have put real effort into building a team with the specific skills adults need. Our clinicians hold certifications in LSVT LOUD (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment) for Parkinson's disease and SPEAK OUT! for neurological voice disorders. For swallowing difficulties, we use neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and surface electromyography (sEMG) -- tools that let us target the muscles involved with more precision than exercises alone.

We know how disorienting it can be when your voice or your words stop working the way they used to. It can feel isolating, frustrating, even frightening. That is not something we take lightly. Whether you are recovering from a stroke, learning to manage a progressive condition, working on accent modification for professional life, or pursuing gender-affirming voice changes, we start by listening to what matters most to you -- then we build a plan around that.

Speech therapist working one-on-one with an adult client

Our Specialized Training

  • LSVT LOUD Certified — The gold-standard voice program for Parkinson's disease
  • SPEAK OUT! Trained — Targeted voice therapy for neurological voice changes
  • NMES & sEMG — Advanced tools for swallowing rehabilitation and biofeedback
  • ASHA Certified (CCC-SLP) — National certification in speech-language pathology
Expertise

Conditions We Treat

Here are some of the most common reasons adults come to see us. If you do not see your specific concern listed, reach out -- we likely can still help.

Aphasia

Aphasia usually follows a stroke or brain injury, and it affects the language itself -- speaking, understanding, reading, writing. For some people it means struggling to find the right word. For others, it can feel like language has been taken away almost entirely. We work on rebuilding those connections, and when needed, we help you find other ways to get your message across while recovery continues.

Dysarthria

With dysarthria, the muscles you use to speak -- your tongue, lips, vocal folds, even the muscles that control breathing -- become weak or uncoordinated. Your speech might sound slurred or quiet, and people may ask you to repeat yourself more often. It can come from stroke, Parkinson's, ALS, MS, or brain injury. We work on breath support, voice strength, and articulation to help you be understood more clearly.

Apraxia of Speech

Apraxia of speech is different from weakness. Your muscles can do the work, but the brain has trouble sending them the right instructions at the right time. You might know exactly what you want to say, but the sounds come out wrong or in the wrong order. Treatment is hands-on and repetitive by design -- we retrain your brain's motor planning for speech through structured, intensive practice.

Voice Disorders

If your voice has become hoarse, breathy, strained, or just not what it used to be, there is usually a reason we can identify and treat. Vocal nodules, polyps, vocal fold paralysis, muscle tension dysphonia, and neurological conditions can all change the way your voice sounds and feels. We use resonant voice therapy, vocal function exercises, and LSVT LOUD for Parkinson's-related voice changes to help you speak with less effort and more control.

Cognitive-Communication Disorders

After a brain injury, stroke, or with conditions like dementia, communication problems often come from changes in thinking itself -- attention drifts, memory falters, organizing thoughts becomes harder. You might lose track of conversations or struggle to get to the point. We work on the underlying cognitive skills that make communication possible: attention, memory, problem-solving, and the ability to plan and organize what you want to say.

Dysphagia (Swallowing Disorders)

Swallowing trouble is more common than most people realize, and it is not something to brush off. When food or liquid goes down the wrong way regularly, the risks are serious -- aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration. We evaluate exactly where the swallowing process is breaking down and treat it with targeted exercises, specific swallowing techniques, dietary guidance, and when appropriate, NMES and sEMG biofeedback.

Accent Modification

This program is for non-native English speakers or people with regional dialects who want to be understood more easily in professional or social settings. We want to be clear: there is nothing wrong with having an accent. This is about giving you more tools and more choices in how you communicate. We work on pronunciation, stress patterns, rhythm, and the melody of American English -- at your pace, on your terms.

Gender-Affirming Voice Therapy

Your voice is deeply personal, and when it does not match who you are, that disconnect matters. We work with transgender and gender-diverse clients on pitch, resonance, intonation, speech rate, and nonverbal communication -- all the elements that shape how your voice is perceived. Every person's goals are different, and we take our cues from you. This is your voice, and our job is to help you find it.

Neurological Conditions

Living with a progressive condition like Parkinson's, MS, ALS, or Huntington's disease means the landscape keeps shifting. Our role is to help you stay ahead of those changes -- maintaining your communication abilities for as long as possible, introducing strategies as needs evolve, and planning for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) if and when that becomes the right step.

How It Works

Our Approach

1

Thorough Evaluation

Before we do anything else, we need to understand what is happening and why. We assess your speech, language, voice, thinking skills, and swallowing using standardized tests and careful clinical observation. We review your medical history, talk with you about your daily life and goals, and coordinate with your doctors. No guesswork -- just a clear picture of where you are right now.

2

Treatment Built Around You

Your goals drive the plan. Maybe you need to get back to work. Maybe you want to have a real conversation with your grandkids again, or eat a meal without worrying. We choose from proven methods -- LSVT LOUD, SPEAK OUT!, NMES, sEMG biofeedback, cognitive rehabilitation, voice therapy -- based on what will actually move the needle for you.

3

Real-Life Results

Improvement in the therapy room only matters if it carries over into your actual life. That is why we practice skills in real-world contexts, teach family members and caregivers how to support you, and give you home exercises that reinforce what we work on together. We measure progress by the things that matter to you -- not just test scores.

Have Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

We see adults with a wide variety of concerns. That includes aphasia (language difficulties after stroke or brain injury), dysarthria (slurred or quiet speech from neurological conditions), apraxia of speech, voice disorders, cognitive-communication problems from brain injury or dementia, and dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). We also work with clients on accent modification and gender-affirming voice therapy. If you are not sure whether your situation fits, just give us a call -- we are happy to talk it through.
LSVT LOUD stands for Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, and it is one of the most well-researched speech therapy programs available for people with Parkinson's disease. The core idea is straightforward: through intensive, high-effort vocal exercises, you retrain your brain to use a louder, clearer voice as your new normal. The program is demanding -- four sessions a week for four weeks -- but the results speak for themselves. Yes, we have LSVT-certified clinicians on staff.
Absolutely. Speech therapy is one of the most important parts of stroke recovery. After a stroke, you might have trouble finding words or understanding others (aphasia), your speech might sound slurred (dysarthria), or swallowing may become unsafe (dysphagia). Here is something important to know: recovery does not stop after the first few months. Research consistently shows that meaningful gains can continue for years after a stroke, especially with ongoing therapy. It is never too late to make progress.
Yes, we do. We work with clients on pitch, resonance, intonation, speech rate, and nonverbal communication -- all the pieces that contribute to how your voice is heard and perceived by others. There is no one-size-fits-all goal here. We start with what you want your voice to sound and feel like, and we work toward that together. Our therapists are committed to making this a comfortable, respectful experience from your very first session.
Accent modification -- sometimes called accent reduction, though we prefer the first term -- helps non-native English speakers or people with strong regional dialects communicate more clearly when they want to. We want to be upfront: the goal is not to erase your accent or your identity. It is to give you more control over how you sound in professional meetings, presentations, or everyday conversations. We focus on pronunciation, intonation, stress patterns, and the natural rhythm of American English.

Related Services

Speech-Language Therapy

Speech and language therapy for children, from toddlers through teens.

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Addressing tongue thrust, breathing patterns, and oral muscle function in adults.

Occupational Therapy

Building daily living skills and supporting functional independence.
Schedule Today

Ready to Take the
Next Step?

Whether you are working through recovery after a stroke, navigating life with a neurological condition, or looking to change the way your voice sounds, we would like to hear from you. A consultation is a chance to talk through what you are experiencing, ask questions, and figure out whether we are the right fit.

Get in Touch Call (201) 509-8205