SwallowingDifficulty in swallowing liquids and/or solids.
Language Difficulty in reading, writing, comprehension and use of language.
Speech Difficulty in the clear production of speech sounds as a result of muscle weakness and/or a motor coordination deficit
Voice Difficulty in the appropriate use of voice quality, volume and pitch to communicate effectively with others.
Fluency Difficulty in the flow of speech in the form of repetitions, prolongations and/or blocks, also known as stuttering.
Hearing Impairment Difficulty in communication arising from a hearing loss.
Dysphagia is a difficulty in swallowing liquids and/or solids, which may result in liquids or solids entering the airway and into the lungs. This is common in people with stroke, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. dementia), respiratory disorder, and head and neck cancers. When left unmanaged, this may lead to chest infections (aspiration pneumonia) which can be life-threatening.
During an assessment, the Speech Therapist may:
If necessary, instrumental assessments like the Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS) or Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) may also be available for patients requiring these services.
During therapy, the Speech Therapist may:
VFSS is an instrumental swallowing assessment done under X-Ray to assess the patient’s swallowing function across a variety of foods and liquids objectively. This is conducted by the Speech Therapist, the radiologist and the radiographer. Based on the findings, the appropriate diet and fluids may be recommended, together with the associated swallowing rehabilitation exercises prescribed to optimise the swallowing function.
FEES is a procedure in which a thin, flexible endoscope is passed through the nose by the Speech Therapist to assess the swallowing function of the patient objectively. During the procedure, the patient may be required to eat and drink various food and fluids of different consistencies coloured with food dye. Based on the findings, the appropriate diet and fluids may be recommended, together with the associated swallowing rehabilitation exercises prescribed to optimise the swallowing function.
As part of a multidisciplinary team comprising doctors and allied health professionals, the Speech Therapist helps to oversee and manage the swallowing and communication issues that may arise after a tracheostomy. A tracheostomy is a medical procedure done by the surgeon for patients who may need added support to facilitate breathing and tracheal hygiene. This is done by creating an opening at the neck that connects to the airway via a tracheostomy tube. If suitable, the clinical information obtained in the process may also help patients wean off the tube completely.
Our team of Speech Therapists in DRR Clinic specialises in the teaching of rehabilitation exercises using assistive devices for patients with swallowing difficulties from pre-existing medical conditions. Example of assistive devices include:
Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that results in difficulties in understanding and using language. This may include difficulties in reading comprehension, understanding what others are saying to you, speaking and writing. Aphasia is commonly experienced by people who has been diagnosed with a neurological disorder such as stroke, an acquired traumatic brain injury or brain tumor.
Dysarthria is a speech disorder often caused by muscle weakness. Some characteristics of dysarthria may include slurred or unclear speech, reduced speaking volume, increased or slowed speaking rate. Dysarthria is commonly seen in people with stroke and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease.
Apraxia of speech is a speech disorder caused by difficulty coordinating the muscles used for speech such as the tongue and lips in the right way to produce sounds and/or words for speech. In some cases, patients might not be able to speak at all. Apraxia is often experienced by people who has been diagnosed with stroke and/or an acquired traumatic brain injury.
Acquired cognitive communication deficits are changes to reasoning, attention, memory, organisation or planning, insight and/or social communication skills that may often result in difficulties with communicating with others in the community. This may occur after a stroke, tumour, brain injury, progressive degenerative brain disorders or other neurological damage.
During an assessment, our speech therapists will:
For therapy, our speech therapists will:
Our Paediatric Speech Therapy Team specialises in the assessment and management of communication difficulties for the paediatric population (children aged 1 - 18 years old).
We assess, diagnose and treat children and adolescents with disorders or difficulties related to speaking, understanding and using language effectively. This may include:
What is a voice disorder? A voice disorder occurs when voice quality, pitch and/or loudness are impaired and prevent the speaker from communicating with others effectively.
We address voice disorders related to:
We also provide gender-affirming voice and communication training for transgender individuals.
In addition, we partner with doctors in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) to conduct a specialist voice clinic. In this clinic, patients are seen jointly by a voice-specialised ENT surgeon and speech therapist. We provide consultation, videostroboscopic examination of the larynx (using a flexible scope with strobe lighting to take clear, detailed images of the voice box), and advanced diagnosis of all voice problems. Together with patients, we will develop a plan of care that may involve a combination of medical, surgical and/or therapeutic treatment.
If therapy is recommended, our speech therapists will:
Voice therapy is the first line of treatment for many voice conditions and can be highly effective in treating hoarseness in patients of all ages. Generally, voice therapy consists of one therapy session each week for 4-8 weeks. The duration of therapy depends on the severity of hoarseness, nature of the underlying voice disorder, co-occurring medical treatment, and patient commitment to the treatment outside therapy sessions. With close adherence to therapy, patients are often able to restore their voices and meet their daily speaking needs successfully.
Our Fluency Clinic provides assessment and treatment to individuals across all ages for the assessment and treatment of stuttering.
Aural rehabilitation is the assessment and management of hearing loss and its impact on communication.
Aural Rehabilitation (AR) is often used as an integral component in the overall management of individuals with hearing loss by a team of Audiologists, ENTs and Speech Language Therapists.
Aural rehabilitation is conducted by our Speech Therapists, with the aim of reducing the impact of hearing loss on our patients’ communication and quality of life. For individuals who have undergone a cochlear implantation, rehabilitation includes auditory training, speech therapy, training on communication repair strategies and telephone training.
In addition to the outpatient clinical services provided at Sengkang General Hospital (SKH), our Speech Therapists are actively involved in multiple projects in the wider community of the Northeast region. They include:
In addition to in-clinic consultation services, our Speech Therapists offer speech therapy via online video consultation. Our therapists will be able to interact with patients, perform diagnostic assessments, and provide intervention in real-time during remote sessions. Our video-consultation sessions are largely similar to face-to-face consultation with some modification of therapy methods and materials to better suit the online environment.
Patients managed via video-consultation will require a personal computer, tablet or smartphone with a webcam and internet connection. Speak with your Speech Therapist to find out whether receiving therapy via video-consultation may be suitable for you.
A referral letter to Sengkang General Hospital’s speech therapy department is needed. You may obtain a referral from any SMC-registered doctor for SKH Speech Therapy services. Consultation charges will vary depending on referral source.
Our Speech Therapists will assess and evaluate your communication and/or swallowing difficulties and prescribe the appropriate interventions for you. We may speak to your family members to have a better understanding of your difficulties.
An initial speech therapy assessment session will usually run for 45 to 60 minutes. A typical therapy session will last approximately 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the nature of your concern (e.g. swallowing or communication concerns).
Your speech therapist will discuss the frequency of therapy that is suitable for you, depending on your needs and progress.
Yes, we currently offer speech therapy sessions in English and Mandarin. We may also require the presence of a caregiver to assist in translation for your loved ones during the sessions.
You may contact us at [email protected] for any queries. To make any changes to your existing appointment, please call 6930 6000. Alternatively, you can fill up this form:
We are located at Sengkang General Hospital, Outpatient Rehabilitation Centre, Blk 8, Level 2 (via Lobby C).
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