MedWest-Haywood offering free clinic to screen children and adults for speech and swallowing problems

10/17/2011

CLYDE, N.C. – MedWest Rehabilitation Services at MedWest-Haywood is offering a free speech and swallowing screening clinic from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 20 at its offices in the MedWest Health & Fitness Center in Clyde. 

The screening clinic is for children and adults having speech, language, voice or swallowing issues, said Chris Thornton, MS, CCC-SLP, a speech language pathologist and rehabilitation coordinator with Rehabilitation Services at MedWest-Haywood. 

Thornton said she and her colleague speech pathologist Catherine Leister, M.Ed, CCC-SLP, will conduct 15-minute individual sessions with children and adults at the clinic to determine if full evaluations are needed. 

Although it is not required, people interested in attending the clinic are encouraged to call Rehabilitation Services at MedWest-Haywood at (828) 452-8070 beforehand to schedule an appointment. 

In their rehabilitation work, Thornton said they treat patients with issues related to strokes, Parkinson’s disease, acid reflux, pediatric conditions and a variety of other disorders. 

“Some people are reluctant to discuss speech and swallowing issues they’re having,” she said. “We’re hoping for a great turnout for the screening clinic so we can help people get the treatment they may need.” 

The screening clinic will be at Rehabilitations Services at MedWest-Haywood in the MedWest Health & Fitness Center, 75 Leroy George Dr., on the MedWest-Haywood campus in Clyde. 

In addition to speech-language pathology services, MedWest Rehabilitation Services include orthopedic manual physical therapy, occupational therapy, aquatic therapy, hand rehabilitation, FCE (functional capacity evaluations) and occupational rehabilitation, continence and pelvic dysfunction therapy, sports medicine, spine care, balance and vestibular therapy, comprehensive wound care, and orthotic and foot care. Staff includes doctors of physical therapy, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, athletic trainers, physical therapy assistants, clinical psychologist and certified wound care specialists. 

This October, the American Physical Therapy Association is celebrating National Physical Therapy Month. For more information visit http://www.apta.org/NPTM/.