Language is our most human characteristic.  It is essential to learning, working, and enjoying family life and friendships.  There are many ways to express language.  Speaking, using sign language, writing, and using computerized communication devices are some of the most common ones.  The professionals who are educated to assess speech and language development and to treat language and speech disorders are speech-language pathologists (sometimes informally referred to as speech therapists).  Speech language pathologists can also help people with swallowing disorders. 

Speech and language development
   Hearing and learning to talk
   Accent modification
   Bilingualism
   Literacy development
   Pragmatics, socially speaking

Speech and language disorders
   Stroke
   Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
   Cancer
   Neurological diseases
   Stuttering
   Dementia
   Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

Swallowing
   Dehydration
   Weight loss
   Malnutrition
   Pneumonia

For more information on the above topics, accredited universities, and more...go to the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association website at www.asha.org.

Meet the Therapist

Jessica Hemann is a Speech-Language Pathologist based out of Greater Community Hospital in Creston, Iowa.  She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communicative Disorders at the University of Northern Iowa.  She completed her Master of Arts degree in the area of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Northern Iowa.