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A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. The most common symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events.

ALS is a group of rare neurological diseases that mainly involve the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. Voluntary muscle movement like chewing, walking, and talking. The disease is progressive, meaning the symptoms get worse over time.

An impairment of language, affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read and write. Aphasia is always due to injury to the brain – most commonly from a stroke, particularly in older individuals.

Adult apraxia of speech happens when the part of the brain that controls coordinated muscle movement is damaged. Stroke is a common cause of apraxia. It may also be caused by head injury, brain tumors, dementia or progressive neurological disorders.

Dementia is an overall term that describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Symptoms can vary greatly. The following can be affected: memory, communication and language, ability to focus and pay attention, reasoning and judgement, visual perception.

Dysarthria happens when you have weak muscles (muscles of the face, lips, tongue, throat, as well as muscles of breathing) due to brain damage. You may have “slurred” or “mumbled” speech that can be hard to understand, speak slowly, talk too fast, speak softly, not be able to move your tongue, lips, and jaw very well, sound robotic or choppy, have changes in your voice, or may sound hoarse or breathy.

A swallowing disorder that may occur as a result of various medical conditions. Dysphagia is a problem that may involve the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, or gastroesophageal junction. Some signs of dysphagia may include: having pain while swallowing, being unable to swallow, having the sensation of food getting stuck in your throat, chest or behind your breastbone, drooling, being horse, bringing food back up, or having frequent heartburn.

Vocal folds are inside the larynx (voice box). When you talk, air moves from your lungs through the vocal folds to your mouth. The vocal folds vibrate to produce sound. Cancer can form on your vocal folds or other parts of the larynx. Signs of Laryngeal Cancer: hoarseness or voice changes, problems swallowing, feeling like you have a lump in the throat, a bad cough or chest infection, feeling short of breath, bad breath, weight loss, an earache that lasts for a long time.

Mild cognitive impairment is the stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious decline of dementia. It can involve problems with memory, language, thinking and judgement that are greater than normal age-related changes.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unprdictable, often disabling disease of the central nerous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body.

Oral cancer can develop on your lips, upper or lower jaw, tongue, gums, cheeks, or throat. Some signs include: a red or white patch or lump in your mouth for more than a month, a sore in your mouth that bleeds easily or does not heal, problem chewing, swallowing, or moving your tongue and jaw.

An orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) are abnormal movement patterns of the face and mouth. OMDs may interfere with normal growth and development of the muscles and bones of the face and mouth. OMDs may also interfere with how the muscles of the face and mouth are used for eating, talking, and breathing. People who have an OMD may also have problems with talking, swallowing, and breathing through their nose.

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination.

Social skills deficits may be related to impulsivity, both verbal and motor, poor visual perception of facial and body language cues, poor auditory perception of vocal cues, invasion of the personal space of others, inappropriate touching, untidiness, disorganization, and other such problems.

A stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain either bursts, ruptures or is blocked by a clot. As a result, the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs. If you have face drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulty you may be or have suffered a stroke. Getting speech therapy intervention early on is key to recovering to prior level of functioning.

A TBI is a brain injury caused by sudden damage to the brain. Some common causes of TBI are falls, car accidents, being hit by or running into an object and violent assaults.

A voice disorder occurs when voice quality, pitch, and loudness differ or are inappropriate for an individual’s age, gender or cultural background. There are different types of voice disorders. Some include Vocal Fold Nodules and Polyps, Vocal Fold Paralysis, Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement (PVFM), and Spasmodic Dysphonia.