February 2025 - West Texas Rehab

Month: February 2025

Empowering Communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Kids

Posted on by Brilyn Daniels

At West Texas Rehab Center, we understand that communication is a vital part of every child’s development. For children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (D/HH), Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) play a crucial role in fostering language, speech, and social skills. Our team of experienced SLPs is dedicated to providing specialized therapy tailored to meet the unique needs of each child, ensuring they reach their full communication potential.

Comprehensive Speech-Language Therapy for D/HH Children

Our SLPs are trained to support children with varying hearing abilities, whether they use hearing aids, cochlear implants, or communicate primarily through sign language. We are proud to have an SLP on staff who can provide therapy using sign language, offering a more inclusive approach for children who rely on signed communication.

Speech Development

  • Assist children in producing clear and understandable speech sounds, regardless of their hearing ability.
  • Use visual aids to support proper mouth, lip, and tongue positioning for improved speech production.

Language Development

  • Enhance vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure using spoken language, sign language, or augmentative communication.
  • Support comprehension of abstract language concepts such as idioms, reasoning, and conversation skills.

Auditory Training

  • Help children improve their ability to recognize and interpret sounds in their environment and in speech.
  • Strengthen listening skills, even in noisy settings, to better process spoken language.

Social Communication Skills

  • Teach children effective communication techniques, including turn-taking, conversation skills, and nonverbal cues like body language.
  • Guide children in navigating social interactions in school, peer groups, and other social settings.

Language Processing

  • Support children in understanding and responding to both verbal and nonverbal communication cues.
  • Enhance auditory comprehension and expressive language skills affected by hearing loss.

Cognitive-Communication Skills

  • Improve memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities that are essential for communication and learning.
  • Provide strategies to help children organize their thoughts and express themselves clearly.

Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Support

  • Offer guidance on maximizing the benefits of hearing technology for speech and language development.
  • Adjust therapy plans as hearing technology evolves to ensure continuous progress.

Reading and Writing Skills

  • Foster literacy development, including phonological awareness, reading comprehension, and writing proficiency.
  • Support academic success by integrating literacy into speech and language therapy.

Family Support and Education

We believe that family involvement is key to a child’s communication success. Our SLPs provide:

  • Parent and caregiver education on strategies to enhance communication at home, such as using visual cues and creating a language-rich environment.
  • Guidance on advocating for a child’s communication needs in school and community settings.
  • Resources tailored to each family’s preferred communication method and lifestyle.

Why Choose West Texas Rehab Center?

When selecting a Speech-Language Pathologist for your child, it is important to consider their experience, communication mode, and dedication. At WTRC, we pride ourselves on:

  • Experience: Our SLPs have over 30 years of combined experience working with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
  • Versatility: We offer therapy in various communication modalities, including spoken language, sign language, and total communication.
  • Compassion: Our therapists are patient, understanding, and passionate about fostering communication development in every child.

At West Texas Rehab Center, we are committed to supporting the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community with expert therapy services. Our dedicated SLPs are here to help your child grow, communicate, and thrive. If you are looking for a speech therapist for your child, we are ready to provide the specialized care they deserve.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact West Texas Rehab Center today. Let’s work together to empower your child’s communication journey!

To find out more information contact our Speech Therapy department in San Angelo or Abilene visit, https://westtexasrehab.org/services/pediatric/#speech-language-pathology

The Importance of Balance After a Concussion: Awareness and Recovery During Brain Injury Awareness Month

Posted on by Suzanne Click

March marks Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about brain injuries, their impacts, and the crucial role recovery plays in improving the lives of those affected. Concussions, one of the most common types of brain injury, often have long-lasting effects, especially when it comes to balance and coordination.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the common balance concerns after a concussion and why understanding and addressing them is so important. Whether you’re recovering from a concussion yourself or supporting someone through the process, knowing what to expect and how to manage balance issues can help make recovery more manageable.

What is a Concussion and How Does it Affect Balance?

A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) typically caused by a blow to the head or body that shakes the brain inside the skull. Though often considered a “mild” injury, concussions can lead to significant disruptions in brain function and have a variety of physical, cognitive, and emotional effects.

One of the most challenging and common symptoms following a concussion is difficulty with balance. The brain’s ability to maintain physical stability involves a complex system that includes the inner ear (vestibular system), the visual system, and sensory inputs from muscles and joints. A concussion can disrupt this system, causing issues such as:

  • Dizziness and Vertigo: These feelings can occur when the brain struggles to process signals from the inner ear and other balance-related systems.
  • Impaired Coordination: Tasks requiring fine motor skills or maintaining physical equilibrium, such as walking or standing, may become more difficult.
  • Sensitivity to Movement: Even slight head movements or changes in position can cause symptoms to worsen, leaving individuals feeling off-balance or disoriented.

Why Balance Concerns Matter

Balance issues after a concussion are not just an inconvenience – they can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. Simple activities like walking, driving, or exercising become more dangerous when balance is compromised. These difficulties can also contribute to anxiety or a sense of vulnerability, leading to a cycle where individuals avoid physical activity, which, in turn, can delay recovery.

Furthermore, improper or inadequate treatment of balance concerns can lead to persistent symptoms, a condition known as post-concussion syndrome. It’s essential to recognize these symptoms early and seek appropriate care to avoid long-term difficulties.

How to Manage Balance Issues After a Concussion

While the effects of a concussion can be challenging, there are several strategies for managing balance issues during recovery:

  1. Rest and Recovery: The brain needs time to heal, so it’s vital to avoid activities that strain the brain and exacerbate symptoms, such as sports or strenuous physical activity. Rest is key to allowing the brain to recover and regain its normal function.
  2. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): This specialized form of physical therapy helps individuals regain balance and coordination after a concussion. VRT includes exercises designed to retrain the brain and improve its ability to process signals from the balance systems. A trained therapist will tailor a program to meet individual needs, gradually increasing the intensity as symptoms improve.
  3. Gradual Return to Activity: Once balance issues begin to improve, a step-by-step approach to reintroducing physical activity is critical. Engaging in low-impact activities like walking or light stretching, and slowly progressing to more intense exercises, can help rebuild physical strength and confidence.
  4. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Balance disturbances can lead to feelings of anxiety, which may make symptoms worse. Practicing mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation exercises can help manage stress and reduce the emotional impact of recovery.
  5. Seek Support from Healthcare Professionals: If balance problems persist or worsen, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider. A concussion specialist, neurologist, or physical therapist can offer more personalized treatment options to address ongoing balance concerns.

Brain Injury Awareness Month: A Time for Advocacy

As we observe Brain Injury Awareness Month this March, it’s a perfect time to educate ourselves and others about the impact of concussions and other brain injuries on balance and overall health. Raising awareness about the importance of proper care and rehabilitation helps reduce stigma, encourages individuals to seek help when necessary, and ensures that recovery efforts are taken seriously.

For anyone recovering from a concussion, remember that balance issues are common and treatable. With the right guidance and support, it’s possible to regain balance, confidence, and a return to daily life.

Conclusion

Balance issues after a concussion are often one of the most challenging and misunderstood aspects of recovery. Whether you or someone you know is struggling with post-concussion balance problems, it’s important to recognize these symptoms and seek the necessary treatment and support. Brain Injury Awareness Month serves as a reminder that concussion recovery requires patience, care, and proper guidance from healthcare professionals. Through education and awareness, we can ensure that individuals living with brain injuries get the care they need to live fulfilling lives.

Remember, balance is key—both physically and mentally—in the recovery journey.

FMI about Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy contact our Adult Therapy Department at 325-223-6304 in San Angelo or 325-793-3400 in Abilene. 

Four Benefits of Dry Needling

Posted on by arollwitz

Dry Needling is a therapeutic treatment in which a trained, certified therapist inserts a small, sterile, microfilament needle directly into a myofascial trigger point in the muscle.  This helps release muscle tension and pain, boosts blood flow, diminishes inflammation, and prompts a healing response.

Read on for the top four benefits of dry needling:

Get fast pain relief

Most people associate trigger points with knotted muscles in their shoulder, upper back, and neck.  But these “knots” can arise in any part of your body
and be associated with many conditions, from low back and sciatica to headaches and overuse injuries. Your pain improves as the knot relaxes and blood flow improves. Better circulation means that painful, acidic wastes get carried away while your muscles receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to heal.

Regain your range of motion

Few things stop you from moving like tight, painful muscles.  If you have multiple trigger points, you may experience severely limited mobility.  And when you’re not active, your muscles weaken and lose mass. Our physical and occupational therapists include dry needling in your comprehensive therapy program to restore your range of motion and rebuild your strength.  Clinically, we see improved muscle length, flexibility, strength and a corresponding decrease in pain with our patients following dry needling treatments.  Therapy further helps retrain your muscles, and this helps to prevent future trigger points.

Accelerate your recovery

Whether you suffered an injury or had surgery, moving your body is the best way to promote healing and speed up your recovery. Physical or Occupational therapy will set you up with an individualized plan specific to your recovery and adding dry needling to this therapy plan can accelerate the healing process.

Improve chronic pain conditions

Dry needling is a non-medicated treatment that goes a long way toward easing chronic pain conditions such as myofascial pain syndrome, migraines, and fibromyalgia. Dry needling improves nerve communication and activates the release of your body’s natural pain relievers. Many chronic pain conditions can be successfully treated in conjunction with other therapies such as stretching, strengthening, and re-educating muscle movement patterns.

Many patients experience an immediate reduction in local and widespread pain after one dry needling session.  Others may need several sessions to achieve optimum pain relief.  Your treatment plan depends on the severity and number of trigger points.

For more information about dry needling services offered at West Texas Rehabilitation Center, please contact our Adult Therapy departments at San Angelo (325-223-6300) or Abilene (325-793-3400).