Speech Therapy

Therapy for speech, voice, cognition, and swallowing

At Daviess Community Hospital’s CORE Center, our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) help adults and children build skills for clearer communication, safer swallowing, and greater independence. We provide individualized, evidence-based care in our outpatient clinics in Washington and Odon, serving families across Daviess County and surrounding communities.

We help children, teens and adults with:

• Speech clarity (articulation and phonology): unclear speech, sound substitutions/omissions
• Language skills (understanding and expression): following directions, vocabulary, grammar, organizing ideas, story/narrative skills, academic language
• Fluency (stuttering): repetitions, prolongations, blocks, speaking confidence
• Voice: hoarseness, vocal fatigue/strain, post-viral/post-surgical voice changes, loudness/clarity changes with neurologic conditions
• Cognitive-communication: attention, memory, problem-solving, organization/executive function after stroke, TBI, or illness
• Swallowing (dysphagia): difficulty chewing or swallowing, coughing during meals, safe-eating strategies
• AAC (augmentative and alternative communication): evaluation and training when appropriate (low-tech and high-tech supports)

What to expect

Evaluation

Your SLP completes a focused assessment of speech, language, voice, cognition, and/or swallowing and talks with you (and family, when appropriate) about what matters most at home, school, work, and in the community. Together, you’ll set clear, practical goals.

Personalized plan

You’ll work with your therapist to create a plan that fits your life—how often you’ll come, what you’ll practice, and where we’ll start. Your plan will include targeted clinic activities, simple home practice, and strategies you can use in real situations (meals, meetings, classwork, conversations). We’ll also discuss who should be involved (caregivers, teachers, or your medical team) so everyone is aligned and progress carries over between visits.

Progress you can measure

We’ll check in regularly, update goals, and adjust the plan as you improve. Your therapist will track outcomes and coordinate with your physician, school team, or other therapists as needed to keep your progress moving in the right direction.

Services we provide

• Articulation & Phonological Therapy
• AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication)
• Cognitive-Communication Rehabilitation
• Dysphagia Therapy (difficulty swallowing)
• Fluency (Stuttering) Therapy
• Language Therapy
• Voice Therapy

If jaw pain or chewing affects speech or swallowing, we coordinate care with our rehabilitation colleagues. See TMJ/TMD Therapy under Physical Therapy.

When to consider speech therapy

• Speech is difficult to understand or sounds “unclear”
• Hoarse or fatigued voice; pain with voice use
• Word-finding or memory challenges after illness or injury
• Difficulty following directions or expressing needs
• Trouble swallowing or coughing during meals
• Persistent stuttering/fluency concerns
• Social communication challenges at school or work

Locations and scheduling

• CORE Center – Washington: 421 E. Van Trees Street, Washington, IN
• CORE Center at North Daviess: 800 S. West Street, Odon, IN

Call (812) 254-8889 to schedule an evaluation or ask about referral needs.
Many insurers require a physician referral for speech-language therapy. If you’re unsure, we can help you determine next steps.