Services

Fluency Groups (preschool, school age, teenagers, adults)

The USF Speech-Language Clinic offers diagnostic and intervention services for people who stutter across the lifespan. Both intensive and non-intensive interventions for stuttering are offered.

Intervention for Preschoolers who Stutter

Weekly therapy targets fluency, language enrichment, social skills enrichment, and mindfulness in preschool-age children who stutter. Intervention may be individual or in a group. Parent/caregiver involvement in therapy sessions is encouraged.

Intervention for School-age Children who Stutter
Weekly therapy targets fluency, language enrichment, social skills enrichment, and mindfulness in school-age children who stutter. Intervention is typically in groups. A parent support group is also provided.
*The USF Speech-Language Clinic has begun offering intensive intervention for school-age children who stutter. Intensive treatment is typically offered during the summer. Weekly maintenance therapy, after intensive treatment, is strongly recommended.

Intervention for Teens/Adults who Stutter
Weekly therapy targets fluency, social skills, and cognitive functioning in teens/adults who stutter. Intervention is typically in groups.
*The USF Speech-Language Clinic offers intensive intervention for teens/adults who stutter. Intensive treatment is typically offered during the summer. Weekly maintenance therapy, after intensive treatment, is strongly recommended.
**The USF Speech-Language Clinic also hosts the Tampa Chapter of the National Stuttering Association (www.westutter.org). This group meets on the third Wednesday of each month, 7 – 9 pm. The focus of the group is on self-help. Adults/teens from the Greater Tampa Bay area share positive discussions about current life experiences and stuttering.

return to top

Memory Groups

Research shows that active participation in learning and social activities is helpful for maintaining healthy memory function. The purpose of this 10-week course to is to learn a variety of memory strategies for common every day memory concerns and to meet people with similar experiences. Participants learn about effective memory strategies, practice using them during the week, and discuss their experiences with the strategies with group members. Spouses and/or family members have a concurrent group to discuss the challenges of memory loss and to learn supportive strategies.

return to top

Aphasia Groups

The Aphasia Groups at the University of South Florida's Speech-Language Clinic are designed to provide people with aphasia the opportunity to complete therapeutic tasks along side other people with aphasia. The clients value this experience as it enhances their quality of life and gives them the opportunity to interact with other members of the aphasia community. Therapeutic tasks are designed to improve reading, writing, speaking, listening, and social communication skills. Clients with all types of aphasia and levels of severity are appropriate for these groups. Aphasia groups meet throughout the year.

The Aphasia Movie Group at USF was started to help patients struggling with comprehension watch and enjoy a film. The Movie Group also incorporates writing tasks as well as verbal expression activities. Group sessions start with a discussion of the movie themes, characters and setting. There is an intermission after the 1st hour of the movie in which there is discussion of the movie plot to that point, characters, motivation and speculation on what might occur in the 2nd half of the movie. After the film, there is further discussion of the plot, any plot twists, and the movie goers have an opportunity to rate the movie and explain their rating.

Voice Groups

Vocal dysfunction as a result of trauma, abuse, and or disease affects one's ability to communicate effectively. Many working adults are unable to perform their duties due to voice difficulties. We provide individual and group services to help improve voice performance. We also provide specialized services to clients with degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Multiple Sclerosis.

return to top