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

Registration for our speech and language therapy for the semester is currently closed. If you would like to be added to our wait list please call our office at (309) 298-1955 or email Jennifer at JJ-Howard3@wiu.edu

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.

Our hearing clinic offers services to the campus and local community:

• Hearing evaluations and screenings are available for any speech client.
• Full audiological evaluations include pure tone, speech, and tympanometry testing.
• Hearing aid fittings and repairs.
• Middle ear monitoring.
• Newborn hearing screenings.
• Our clinic also conducts screenings for students in the teacher certification and nursing programs.
• We conduct occupational hearing conservation testing for local businesses.
• Auditory Processing Disorder evaluations are available to children seven years and older.

All diagnostic hearing services are free. Please call (309)298-1955 to schedule an appointment.

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 at the beginning of the month. Sessions vary from specialized speakers to open discussions. Please email KS-Hamilton@wiu.edu if you would like to be notified of our next meeting.

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.

Download the WINDS flyer

Little Learners

We are thrilled to offer a language group for children focusing on the development of literacy and social-emotional skills! Enrollment is open to 3 and 4 year-old children.

Sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-11am, on the third floor of Memorial Hall. They are led by a certified speech-language pathologist, as well as three graduate student clinicians.

Each day will consist of small and large group instruction with lots of engaging movement, play, and learning activities. Children will be assessed on a variety of social-emotional and language skills. Families will be provided with activities to support their children at home and notified of their progress.

This opportunity is limited to a total of 6 children so register early! Please call (309)298-1955 to enroll. If you have any questions, you may reach out to Julie Curless at (309)298-1957 or JL-pline@wiu.edu.

Additional Information

Download the Clinic Manual

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.