Speech Pathology and Audiology
Speech-Language Hearing Clinic
Speech-Language Hearing Clinic - We Offer...
Our services cover all aspects of speech and language, including but not limited to articulation, phonological, receptive/expressive language, voice, fluency and swallowing disorders. If you are interested in any of the services listed below, contact us at (309)-298-1955 or email Jennifer at JJ-Howard3@wiu.edu.Speech & Language Evaluations
We evaluate individuals across the lifespan, from birth to adulthood, during a two hour evaluation free of charge. All evaluations are provided individually by a student clinician with a supervised speech language pathologist.
Speech & Language Therapy
Our specialized clinic houses individual therapy rooms, a sensory room, and observation rooms for caregivers to observe sessions, allowing for further parent/caregiver education. We offer individual, group, and teletherapy services.
The following disorders are often treated within our clinic:
- Pediatric language disorders (including Gestalt language processors)
- Articulation & phonological disorders
- Voice disorders
- Fluency disorders
- Aphasia
- Apraxia of speech & dysarthria
- Cognitive-communication disorders
- Dysphagia, pediatric and adult
Audiological Services
Our hearing clinic also offers free services. Hearing evaluations and screenings can be conducted on any client. Full audiological evaluations include pure tone, speech, and tympanometry testing. Middle ear monitoring, in addition to newborn hearing screenings are also available.Our clinic also conducts screenings for students in the teacher certification and nursing programs.
Specialized Therapy Services
Western Illinois University Speech-Language Hearing Clinic is pleased to announce the SPEAK OUT! Therapy Program is now available through their speech-language pathology department. The SPEAK OUT!® Therapy Program, developed by Parkinson Voice Project, is a research evidence-based program helping individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s and related neurological disorders regain and retain their speech and swallowing. This comprehensive program combines individual speech therapy with education and ongoing group support. "Up to 90% of people with Parkinson’s are at risk of losing their ability to speak. In addition, swallowing complications account for 70% of the mortality rate in this patient population. Our vision at Parkinson Voice Project is to make quality speech therapy accessible to people with Parkinson’s worldwide," said Samantha Elandary, Parkinson Voice Project’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Parkinson Voice Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization solely dedicated to helping people with Parkinson’s regain and retain their speech and swallowing. The organization provides SPEAK OUT! Workbooks, online SPEAK OUT! Home Practice Sessions, and even a weekly Parkinson’s Sing-Along to complement the speech therapy they will receive at WIU Speech-Language Hearing Clinic. The organization is headquartered in Richardson, Texas and has trained over 10,000 clinicians in more than 40 countries. For information, visit www.ParkinsonVoiceProject.org. VitalStim® is a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering with difficulty swallowing or dysphagia. This is a non-invasive therapy to help swallowing through the use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES). Myofunctional Therapy is a series of exercises that target the muscles used for chewing and swallowing. Therapy exercises are meant to improve the strength of the muscles of the tongue and oropharynx. Myofunctional therapy helps to reinforce the proper position of the tongue within the mouth. These programs may be recommended by dentists, orthodontists, and some sleep specialists to improve breathing problems and to facilitate orthodontic interventions. A fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is a procedure used to assess how well you swallow. This instrumental study involves passing a thin, flexible instrument, called a laryngoscope, through the patient’s nose to view parts of the throat while swallowing in order to determine the swallowing issue and to develop a plan of treatment.Support Groups
Comfort Circle:
Our Comfort Circle support group was designed for parents and caregivers of children with special abilities. We meet twice a semester. Sessions vary from specialized speakers to open discussions.WINDS:
Western Illinois Neurodiversity Support-WINDS recognizes individual differences and provides a safe supportive space amongst peers to explore socialization opportunities, coping skills, relationships, and communication. University students meet one time per month. If you would like more information please contact Julie Curless at JL-pline@wiu.edu.Clinic Manual
To download Clinc Manual in PDF.Confidentiality
Student clinicians, supervisors, faculty, student observers, and staff sign confidentiality agreements and are required to undergo HIPAA training. Clients of our clinic should feel comfortable speaking with supervisors and/or student clinicians about confidentiality.Our Clients
Western Illinois University's Speech-Language & Hearing Clinic values client feedback, as we strive to provide the best services possible. Please feel free to follow the link below and give us your feedback.Directions to Western Illinois University Speech-Language Hearing Clinic
1 University Circle2nd floor, Memorial Hall
Phone: 309.298.1955
Directions to Memorial Hall and Parking for Clinic:
Scan the QR code.
This will provide you the means to get directions from your address to WIU Speech Language Hearing Clinic and to the parking lot used for the clinic.
- Directions to Memorial Hall
- Parking Instruction for Clinic
- Parking Registration for Clinc
- Parking Map for Clinic
Direction on Google Map
Parking instructions:
If you email us or call us we can send you a parking pass before your appointment. If your appointment is within a week, the easiest way is to pick it up when you are here. Information we need for your parking pass is the make/color and license plate of the car that will be parked in the lot. The lot is marked on the map as WIU Speech/Hearing Clinic Parking. There are designated slots with speech and hearing signs but you can park anywhere in this lot if you have a parking pass. Parking is just off of Sherman Drive, between Seal Hall and Tillman Hall.Canceling or Changing appointment:
Call 309.298.1955 and we can ensure your clinician and the supervisor are aware that the appointment is canceled. If you have trouble getting here using the directions just call us and we can help direct you here.Basic contact information:
wiu.edu/spa has all of the information you need to access our services, supervisors, and program information.Quick Access:
- Hearing Clinic: Mike Sharp (309.298.1955)
- Speech Clinic: Haleigh Ruebush (309.298.1955)
- Speech/Language Evaluations: Julie Curless (309.298.1955)
- Program Questions: Amanda Silberer (309.298.1955)
Registration for Clinic
Fall Speech Clinic Registration opens on July 1, 2024. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Once all available spots are filled, clients will be added to a waiting list. A current school IEP or Speech Diagnostic Evaluation is required before Speech Therapy services can be offered through our clinic. Speech Sprouts and Little Learners do not require these forms. Speech Diagnostics Evaluations can be done through our clinic. To be added to our waiting list for a Speech Diagnostic Evaluation, the clinic intake forms must be completed and returned to us to be added to our Speech Diagnostic waitlist. When the Speech Clinic Coordinator reaches a name on the waiting list, they will reach out to schedule a diagnostic appointment. Please contact Jennifer at JJ-Howard3@wiu.edu or Katie at KS-Hamilton@wiu.edu for more information, or call the reception office at (309) 298-1955.
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