SPECIALTIES
Language
Centered Speech works with pediatric and adult patients with expressive, receptive, or mixed language disorders, delays, and deficits in spoken and written language, as well as cognitive-linguistic deficits (e.g., attention, memory, executive function as related to communication) resulting from a variety of etiologies including: stroke, TBI, concussion, autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, and unknown etiologies.
Voice
The practice believes in teaching healthy vocal habits, vocal hygiene, and confidence in vocal production. Centered Speech specializes in treating voice disorders in children and adults (e.g., vocal nodules, muscle tension dysphonia, PVFMD, VF atrophy, VF paresis/paralysis, etc), difficulties with the voice due to dysarthria (secondary to Parkinson's disease, TBI, stroke, concussion, or other etiologies), as well as resonance difficulties (hyper/hypo nasality), vocal volume, or changing vocal pitch (higher or lower).
Additionally, the practice specializes in improving vocal performance for presentations, public speaking, acting, and singing.
Swallowing
Centered Speech Services specializes in dysphagia or swallowing difficulties in adult patients secondary to stroke, TBI, concussion, Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, and other etiologies.
Pragmatics/Social Skills
Centered Speech targets pragmatics/social skills in the adult and pediatric populations. Our practice has experience working with patients who are neurodiverse (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, ADD/ADHD), or who have experienced cerebrovascular accident (stroke), traumatic brain injury, or concussion to improve communication with others, reading of social cues, and identifying their own communicative needs, in a multitude of social, academic, and professional contexts.
Speech
Centered Speech Services specializes in articulation and phonological disorders/delays in adult and pediatric patients, dysarthria, apraxia of speech, and other motor speech disorders resulting from a variety of etiologies. In addition, the practice works with patients who stutter to increase fluency and communication confidence.
Speech Anxiety
Speech anxiety can result from a variety of speech and language disorders/deficits, as well as social-emotional concerns. It significantly impacts communication effectiveness, as well as participation in personal and professional activities. Centered Speech Services works with patients to target the root cause of their speech and language deficits to boost confidence and reduce anxiety around communication in a variety of contexts (e.g., participating socially, presenting/public speaking, talking over the phone, speaking up at work).
Accent Modification
Centered Speech Services works with people who are interested in modifying, lessening, or changing their accent/dialect for any number of professional or personal reasons. The practice has worked with actors and other working professionals who spend a lot of time presenting or speaking with clients over the phone.
Voice and Speech, Dialect/Accent Coaching, & Public Speaking
In conjunction with her background in acting and public speaking, as well as her deep knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the voice and speech mechanisms, Sarah at Centered Speech offers comprehensive dialect/accent and voice and speech coaching to actors in television, film, and on the stage. Additionally, Centered Speech Services works with business professionals and politicians who do public speaking events or present at work to find their center and optimize performance.