Patient Education

Yakety Yak Speech-Language Pathologists, Inc. would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

Speech Disorders

Speech disorders can affect children from an early age, or they may develop later in life following trauma or injury. Most speech disorders are defined as the difficulty or inability to form speech sounds for communicating. Some speech disorders are just part of slower development in children and may go away on their own as the child gets older. Other children with speech problems or disorders that do not improve, may need speech therapy.

Regardless of when they occur, speech disorders can impact an individual's quality of life, causing difficulties at work, school, and many other social environments. Most speech disorders can be treated through speech therapy sessions with a licensed speech therapist. Very few speech disorders require surgical treatment. ...

Newborn Hearing Screening

Newborn hearing screening is a noninvasive method used to detect hearing loss in newborns. Since 3 out of every 1000 newborns are born with permanent hearing loss, many of them with no known risk factors for the condition, newborn hearing screening is essential. Once limited to infants considered to be at high risk for hearing loss, such as premature infants, newborn hearing screening is now, although not mandated in every state, nearly universally performed. ...

Swallowing Therapy

Patients that suffer from dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing may benefit from a form of treatment called swallowing therapy. Working with a speech pathologist, the patient will learn special exercises to improve the functioning of muscles associated with swallowing. Depending on the individual patient, swallowing therapy may also include a change in diet. ...

Selective Mutism

Selective mutism is a psychological disorder in which a child who has already developed language skills stops speaking in particular circumstances. Most frequently the mutism occurs in children under the age of 5 in school or in another social environment and is considered to be an extreme form of social phobia. While it may seem to parents, peers or teachers that the child is simply refusing to speak, the child is actually unable to speak in the anxiety-producing situations. It is also possible that a child will experience selective mutism in the presence of a particular person rather than in a social situation. A specific trauma may precipitate a period of selective mutism. ...

Pervasive Development Disorder

Pervasive development disorder, also known as PDD or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a group of conditions that affect a person's ability to effectively communicate and interact with others. PPD usually appears before the age of 3. While the specific cause of PDD is unknown, it is believed to be the result of neurological abnormalities and there may be a genetic component to its development. There are several different disorders classified as PDD, each with its own set of indicators, including: autism, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and Rett's syndrome. ...

Stuttering

Stuttering, or stammering, is a complex, multidimensional speech disorder that affects nearly four million people in the United States. Stuttering occurs most commonly in children, between the ages of 2 and 6, as their language skills begin to develop. Approximately five percent of all children will stutter at some point in their lives. Stuttering affects three times as many boys as girls and they are more likely to continue to stutter as they age. Over the course of time, 70 to 80 percent of children who stutter will outgrow stuttering. Less than one percent of adults in the United States stutter. ...

ADHD in Children

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, is a chronic condition that affects children, with symptoms often continuing into adulthood. Common symptoms of ADHD include inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. ADHD affects the behavior of children both at home and in school. According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately eleven percent of children in the United States are diagnosed with ADHD. Boys are more commonly diagnosed with this condition than girls. Children with ADHD often struggle in school, have poor self-esteem and may be at an increased risk for drug and alcohol abuse as they get older. With treatment, however, most people with ADHD can lead successful and productive lives. ...

Frenectomy

A frenectomy is a simple surgical procedure that is often used to treat an exceptionally short or tight frenulum. The frenulum, also known as the frenum, is the band of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. In some cases a short frenulum may cause a gap between the two front bottom teeth. This condition can restrict movement of the tongue and can affect a patient's ability to eat and speak with ease, causing a common condition informally known as being "tongue-tied". ...

Frenuloplasty

Some children are born with an inherited birth defect in which the lingual frenulum, the tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, is abnormally short, which can restrict movement of the tongue. This condition is commonly referred to as "tongue-tied". While this condition does not always cause symptoms, some children may experience difficulty nursing, eating, speech problems or social obstacles because of their condition. ...

Speech Disorders

1. Speech disorders can affect children from an early age, or they may develop later in life following trauma or injury. Most speech disorders are defined as the difficulty or inability to form speech sounds for communicating. Some speech disorders are just part of slower development in children and may go away on their own as the child gets older. Other children with speech problems or disorders that do not improve, may need speech therapy.

Regardless of when they occur, speech disorders can impact an individual's quality of life, causing difficulties at work, school, and many other social environments. Most speech disorders can be treated through speech therapy sessions with a licensed speech therapist. Very few speech disorders require surgical treatment. ...

ADHD in Children

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, is a chronic condition that affects children, with symptoms often continuing into adulthood. Common symptoms of ADHD include inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. ADHD affects the behavior of children both at home and in school. According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately eleven percent of children in the United States are diagnosed with ADHD. Boys are more commonly diagnosed with this condition than girls. Children with ADHD often struggle in school, have poor self-esteem and may be at an increased risk for drug and alcohol abuse as they get older. With treatment, however, most people with ADHD can lead successful and productive lives. ...

Aphasia

Aphasia is a communication disorder that leaves patients unable to effectively express or understand spoken or written language. The possibility of recovery from aphasia depends on its cause, which part of the brain is affected, and how extensive the damage is. There are many types of aphasia, and a patient may suffer from more than one type. Aphasia can result from physical or psychological trauma, or from a degenerative process. Aphasia has a variety of causes. Most commonly, the condition results from a stroke or progressive dementia. Other causes of aphasia may include: ...

Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger's syndrome is a pervasive developmental disorder, or PDD. Like other PDDs, Asperger's is characterized by difficulties in communication and socialization, but it is mildest of the disorders on the autism spectrum. It is four times more common in boys than in girls and is usually diagnosed in children between 2 and 6 years of age. ...

Autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), encompasses a range of pervasive developmental disorders. These disorders vary in degree from mild forms like Asperger's syndrome to severe impairment.

Autism is characterized by difficulties with communication and social interaction and by repetitive behavior patterns. The disorder has become very common, occurring in more than 1 percent of children. Autism is four times more likely to occur in males. Besides Asperger's syndrome, there are several other types of ASD, including pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, childhood disintegrative disorder, and Rett's syndrome. ...

Autism FAQs

What is autism?

Autism, also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is the most common pervasive developmental disorder, affecting more than 1 percent of children. The condition interferes with communication skills and social interaction and involves ritualized and repetitive behavioral patterns. It is usually diagnosed during early childhood. Early interventional treatments have been demonstrated to help children with the disorder develop improved language and social skills and to cope more successfully with their environment. ...

Bad Oral Habits

Undesirable oral habits are quite common among babies and young children. They are also prevalent among adults. Because such habits can do damage to the teeth or jaws that is unsightly, expensive to repair, or even dangerous, it is important to address such behaviors as early as possible. Sometimes, simple measures can discourage such problematic actions, but sometimes intervention, either in terms of behavior modification or the use of a preventive dental appliances, may be necessary. ...

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that causes problems with body movement and muscle coordination. It is caused by abnormalities in parts of the brain that control muscle movements. While most children are born with this condition, signs and symptoms may not appear until months or years later. Symptoms of cerebral palsy may vary greatly. Most people with cerebral palsy have problems with movement and posture, however, some may also have intellectual disabilities, impaired vision and hearing, or speech problems. The symptoms of cerebral palsy usually do not worsen with age. ...

Cleft Lip

Cleft lip is a common facial birth defect that is characterized by a split or opening in the upper lip. Cleft lip occurs when the fetus is developing in the uterus and the tissue in the mouth does not fuse together properly. It may occur on its own or in conjunction with a cleft palate. ...

Cleft Lip and Palate

A cleft lip and a cleft palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and roof of the mouth. They appear as either an opening in the upper lip, or an opening in the roof of the mouth. More than 6,000 infants born in the United States each year are affected.

A cleft can appear in the lip or the palate alone, or in both, and on one or both sides of the mouth. Children with clefts are at higher risk for ear infections and dental problems. A cleft lip and/or palate can cause feeding, speech, ear and dental problems. ...

Cleft Palate

A cleft palate is a birth defect in which the tissues of the roof of the mouth do not join properly. The opening may be in the soft palate, which is the tissue toward the back of the mouth, or in the hard palate, which is the bony front area of the mouth. In many cases, a child born with a cleft palate also has a cleft lip, which is a split or opening in the upper lip. Children born with clefts are at risk for ear infections, dental problems, and speech- and feeding-related disorders. ...

Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implants are small electronic devices used to assist individuals who are completely deaf or severely hearing-impaired. Unlike hearing aids which amplify sound, cochlear implants bypass damaged areas of the ear, sending sounds directly through the auditory nerve to the brain.

Cochlear implants are designed to correct sensorineural hearing loss, which is damage to the tiny hair cells in the circular portion of the inner ear known as the cochlea. Due to this damage, sound waves cannot reach the auditory nerve. With a cochlear implant, the auditory nerve can be stimulated directly, bypassing the dysfunctional hairs of the inner ear. ...

Down Syndrome

Down syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, is a common genetic disorder. Down syndrome occurs when a child has an extra set of genetic material, chromosome 21, in addition to the typical 46 chromosomes. The additional chromosome results in the physical features and developmental delays seen in children with Down syndrome. ...

Frenectomy

A frenectomy is a simple surgical procedure that is often used to treat an exceptionally short or tight frenulum. The frenulum, also known as the frenum, is the band of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. In some cases a short frenulum may cause a gap between the two front bottom teeth. This condition can restrict movement of the tongue and can affect a patient's ability to eat and speak with ease, causing a common condition informally known as being "tongue-tied". ...

Frenuloplasty

Some children are born with an inherited birth defect in which the lingual frenulum, the tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, is abnormally short, which can restrict movement of the tongue. This condition is commonly referred to as "tongue-tied". While this condition does not always cause symptoms, some children may experience difficulty nursing, eating, speech problems or social obstacles because of their condition. ...

Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is the sudden or gradual decrease in hearing. Hearing loss can be mild or severe, reversible, temporary or permanent, and may affect one or both ears. The most common cause of hearing loss is age, affecting up to 25 percent of people between the ages of 65 and 75 and up to 50 percent of those over the age of 75. Age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, results from changes in the ear which cause gradual hearing loss. Some individuals are hearing-impaired or deaf as a result of a congenital defect or because of an illness, such as Ménière's disease. ...

Learning Disabilities

A learning disability, also referred to as a learning disorder, is a neurological disorder that prevents a child from learning, or significantly impairs the learning process. A learning disability is not a reflection of intelligence, and a child who has one may be of average or above-average intelligence. A child with a learning disability processes information differently from other children, and has difficulty performing specific tasks. A learning disability may affect attention span, coordination, the ability to understand or use spoken or written language or to perform math calculations. ...

Newborn Hearing Screening

Newborn hearing screening is a noninvasive method used to detect hearing loss in newborns. Since 3 out of every 1000 newborns are born with permanent hearing loss, many of them with no known risk factors for the condition, newborn hearing screening is essential. Once limited to infants considered to be at high risk for hearing loss, such as premature infants, newborn hearing screening is now, although not mandated in every state, nearly universally performed. ...

Pervasive Development Disorder

Pervasive development disorder, also known as PDD or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a group of conditions that affect a person's ability to effectively communicate and interact with others. PPD usually appears before the age of 3. While the specific cause of PDD is unknown, it is believed to be the result of neurological abnormalities and there may be a genetic component to its development. There are several different disorders classified as PDD, each with its own set of indicators, including: autism, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and Rett's syndrome. ...

Selective Mutism

Selective mutism is a psychological disorder in which a child who has already developed language skills stops speaking in particular circumstances. Most frequently the mutism occurs in children under the age of 5 in school or in another social environment and is considered to be an extreme form of social phobia. While it may seem to parents, peers or teachers that the child is simply refusing to speak, the child is actually unable to speak in the anxiety-producing situations. It is also possible that a child will experience selective mutism in the presence of a particular person rather than in a social situation. A specific trauma may precipitate a period of selective mutism. ...

Spasmodic Dysphonia

Spasmodic dysphonia, also known as laryngeal dystonia, is a rare neurological disorder characterized by involuntary muscle spasms of the larynx (voice box). Spasmodic dysphonia causes the voice to break, or to have a tight, strained or strangled quality. Patients with spasmodic dysphonia may have difficulty communicating clearly. The disorder appears most often in people between 30 and 50 years of age, and more frequently in women. While the exact cause of spasmodic dysphonia is not always known, it is sometimes due to psychological stress, however, most cases result from a problem in the brain and nervous system. Spasmodic dysphonia is often a chronic condition. ...

Stuttering

Stuttering, or stammering, is a complex, multidimensional speech disorder that affects nearly four million people in the United States. Stuttering occurs most commonly in children, between the ages of 2 and 6, as their language skills begin to develop. Approximately five percent of all children will stutter at some point in their lives. Stuttering affects three times as many boys as girls and they are more likely to continue to stutter as they age. Over the course of time, 70 to 80 percent of children who stutter will outgrow stuttering. Less than one percent of adults in the United States stutter. ...

Swallowing Therapy

Patients that suffer from dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing may benefit from a form of treatment called swallowing therapy. Working with a speech pathologist, the patient will learn special exercises to improve the functioning of muscles associated with swallowing. Depending on the individual patient, swallowing therapy may also include a change in diet. ...

Velopharyngeal Insufficiency

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is the result of an improper closing of the velopharyngeal sphincter, the soft palate muscle, during speech. When this muscle does not close properly, air escapes through the nose instead of the mouth. During speech, VPI produces a nasal quality to the voice, known as hypernasality, and a snorting sound during the pronunciation of certain letters. The condition is usually diagnosed in children, although it may be diagnosed in older patients from developing countries where early diagnosis and treatment have not been available. ...