Ashe Memorial Hospital speech language pathologist Hannah Osborne, M.S., CCC-SLP, works with both inpatients and outpatients of all ages, specializing in the treatment of those who have suffered strokes, traumatic brain injuries, muscle loss and cognitive impairment following surgery, among other ailments.Photo of female speech language pathologist sitting at a table and smiling.

Ask an AMH Expert: What is Speech-Language Pathology?

with Hannah Osborne, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), also referred to as speech therapists, work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. At Ashe Memorial Hospital, our clinicians work with patients of all ages, ranging from infants to older adults, with a full range of human communication and swallowing disorders. SLPs work with inpatients, outpatients and radiology patients on swallowing, feeding, speech, memory, voice and breath support.

What do SLPs typically do?

• Evaluate and diagnose speech, language, communication, voice, and swallowing disorders.
• Treat speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders.
• Provide training and education to family/caregivers and other professionals.
• Work collaboratively with professionals from many other disciplines.

How do I know if I have a speech disorder?

Speech disorders occur when a person has difficulty producing speech sounds correctly or fluently (e.g., stuttering is a form of disfluency) or has problems with his or her voice or resonance.

What is a language disorder?

Language disorders occur when a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings (expressive language). Language disorders may be spoken or written and may involve the form (phonology, morphology, syntax), content (semantics), and/or use (pragmatics) of language in functional and socially appropriate ways.

What is a swallowing disorder?

Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) are feeding and swallowing difficulties, which may follow an illness, surgery, stroke, or injury. VitalStim Therapy, which can help patients with dysphagia. Using VitalStim Therapy, which uses Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to help regenerate those facial and pharyngeal muscle groups associated with swallowing, Osborne is able to help the muscles unfreeze while increasing speech intelligence and regenerating a patient’s ability to swallow.

“Every case is different,” Osborne says. “No two cases are the same, so it’s important to balance their wishes while medically giving them what they need. I really enjoy helping people and increasing people’s quality of life.”

What are the differences between social communication disorders and cognitive communication disorders?

Social communication disorders occur when a person has trouble with the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication. These disorders may include problems (a) communicating for social purposes (e.g., greeting, commenting, asking questions), (b) talking in different ways to suit the listener and setting, and (c) following rules for conversation and storytelling. All individuals with autism spectrum disorder have social communication problems. Social communication disorders are also found in individuals with other conditions, such as traumatic brain injury.

Cognitive communication disorders include problems organizing thoughts, paying attention, remembering, planning, and/or problem-solving. These disorders usually happen as a result of a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or dementia, although they can be congenital.

What roles do SLPs play?

SLPs work in many different settings which include schools, hospitals, rehab facilities, outpatient clinics, and universities. SLPs can also work in different research, education, and health care settings with varying roles, levels of responsibility, and client populations. Because of the high demand for speech-language pathology services, part-time, full-time, and PRN (literally, pro re nata—in medicine, on an "as needed" basis) opportunities may be available depending on location, desired facility, employment flexibility, and other factors. In many settings, including at AMH, SLPs often work as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team, which may include teachers, physicians, audiologists, psychologists, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, and rehabilitation counselors.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call our Rehabilitation Services department at 336-846-0833.

About Hannah Osborne, M.S., CCC-SLP



Hannah Copeland Osborne is a Watauga County native, who now lives in Todd, with her husband Seth, their daughters, Emery and Beckett, dogs, and horses. She spends as much time outdoors as she can with her family. They enjoy riding horses, water recreation, especially kayaking, and love to ski and play in the snow. Hannah is a lifelong equestrian that competed in USPC, 4H, and in the open division of IHSA during her undergraduate career at Appalachian State University. When the weather cools down, she is most likely to be found in her kitchen with her daughters baking for friends and family. Hannah was initially drawn to being a speech language pathologist when she was working with young children and helping them find their voice while working at Appalachian State University's Child Development Center during her undergraduate studies. However, in graduate school, she was given the opportunity to complete a practicum at a level III trauma center in southwestern Virginia and instantly knew this was the population she wanted to serve.

Education:
• Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C.
-Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders, 2012
• Radford University, Radford, Va.
-Master of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2016

Clinical Interest:
• CVA
• Dementia
• Dysphagia
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• VitalStim certified provider
• Geriatrics
• Acute Care/Inpatient
• Outpatient
• Clinical educator