Speech Therapy
Speech Language Pathology Services
The Center for Hearing Health has recently expanded the services provided by contracted provider Peninsula Associates - Speech, Language, Learning Services. With the addition of three more Speech Language Pathologists, PAMF is able to provide more evaluation, consultation and therapy services to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Palo Alto and Fremont campuses.
In Palo Alto:
Elizabeth Dinman, M.S. CCC-SLP
- Graduated from San Francisco State University
- Extensive experience with articulation and phonological disorders, school-aged language disorders and social language deficits.
- Graduated from Boston University
- Extensive experience with aphasia, dysarthria, adult cognitive rehabilitation, dysphagia and dementia.
Kristen Burkhart, M.A. CCC-SLP
- Graduated from George Washington University
- Extensive experience with childhood speech and language disorders, Autism and social language deficits
- Graduated from San Jose State University
- Extensive experience with Autism, voice disorders, augmentative/ alternative communication and apraxia of speech.
- Acquired Motor Speech Disorders
- Adult Cognitive Rehabilitation
- Aphasia
- Articulation Disorders
- Auditory Processing Disorders
- Augmentative/Alternative Communication
- Childhood Language Delays
- Childhood Speech Delays
- Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Anomalies
- Dementia
- Feeding Disorders
- Neurogenic Disorders effecting Communication
- Social Language Deficits
- Stuttering
- Swallowing Disorders
- Tongue Thrust
- Voice Disorders
What is speech language pathology?
It is the full range of human communication and its disorders. Speech language pathologists evaluate, diagnose and treat speech, language, cognitive communication and swallowing disorders.
Do you or your child have difficulty communicating?
PAMF has recently added speech therapy to its wide array of services to help improve the quality of life -- and communication skills -- of children and adults alike. Speech language pathology services may help:
- If your child’s teacher told you that your child may have a problem with speech or language skills.
- If you are an adult with a speech impediment.
- If you have experienced trauma that has compromised your speech or cognition.
Who can benefit from speech language pathology?
Anyone of any age who is having difficulty with communication would benefit from the help of a speech language pathologist. Our patients range in age from infants to the elderly. Communication difficulties can include speech production and articulation, voice quality, fluency (including stuttering), cognition, and language comprehension and expression. Speech language pathology services also benefit individuals with swallowing disorders.
When should people seek help?
Patients, parents and caregivers should seek help anytime they suspect impairment in communication skills. For young children, an evaluation by a speech language pathologist is warranted if they are not meeting their developmental milestones for speech and language.
For adults, treatment should be sought for rehabilitative purposes for any breakdown in communication or swallowing, including those who have experienced a traumatic brain injury or stroke, or those who are having complications due to neurologic disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, ALS or Alzheimer’s disease.
How do I make an appointment?
At PAMF, patients need to obtain a referral from their primary care provider or specialist to see a speech language pathologist. Patients should also contact their insurer to determine what type of speech language pathology service are covered by their policy.
