We provide speech therapy online for children, adolescents and adults with laryngeal cancer.
We are a registered NDIS provider and use an inclusive approach to therapy, where the person can be in the comfort and familiarity of their own home.
How can speech therapy benefit people with laryngeal cancer?
Speech therapy can be extremely beneficial for individuals with laryngeal cancer, particularly for those who have undergone laryngectomy (surgery to remove all or part of the larynx). Here are several ways in which speech therapy can help them:
1. **Voice Restoration**: After laryngectomy, patients often need to learn how to produce sound without their larynx. Speech therapy can provide techniques for esophageal speech (utilizing the esophagus to produce sound), tracheoesophageal puncture (using a prosthesis to enable speech), or alternative communication methods.
2. **Rehabilitation Post-Surgery**: Following surgical procedures, patients may require rehabilitation to regain their ability to speak. Speech therapists can guide patients through exercises that help strengthen remaining vocal structures and improve speech clarity.
3. **Swallowing Therapy**: Many laryngeal cancer patients also experience swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). Speech therapists can provide strategies and exercises to improve swallowing safety and efficiency, as well as dietary modifications.
4. **Breath Control and Support**: Good breath control is essential for effective speech. Speech therapists can teach techniques to optimize breath support, which can improve endurance and the quality of the voice.
5. **Communication Strategies**: Patients may need to adapt their communication methods post-treatment. Speech therapists can help them develop effective non-verbal communication strategies and improve overall communication skills.
6. **Coping with Emotional and Psychological Challenges**: Dealing with a cancer diagnosis and its aftermath can be emotionally challenging. Speech therapy often encompasses a holistic approach to address the mental and emotional well-being of patients, helping them cope better with changes in their speech and identity.
7. **Education and Advocacy**: Speech therapists educate patients about the effects of their cancer and treatments on speech and swallowing, empowering them to effectively communicate their needs and make informed decisions about their care.
8. **Support for Caregivers**: Speech therapists can also provide guidance and training for family members and caregivers, helping them understand the best ways to support communication and swallowing needs.
Overall, speech therapy plays a critical role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals affected by laryngeal cancer, facilitating better communication, and supporting overall recovery and adjustment to changes in the patient’s health status.
Services for children, adolescents and adults
We have speech therapists who work with children, adolescents and adults, and we have therapists who have experience with laryngeal cancer. Read more about our therapists here.
NDIS registered provider
We are a registered NDIS provider and work with self-managed, plan-managed and agency-managed clients.
If your are an NDIS provider or support coordinator we can provide reliable speech therapy for clients with laryngeal cancer in any location. Refer a client and we’ll connect you to the right clinician.
Is online speech therapy effective?
Yes! A growing body of evidence shows that online delivery of therapy can be as effective as face to face. Online therapy has many other benefits too, including being convenient and accessible for people in regional and rural areas.
How does online speech therapy work?
At Umbo online therapy is not just zoom plus business-as-usual. It’s much more diverse than simply videoconferencing. Umbo therapists provide an individualised approach to each person, using the latest evidence, and a variety of technologies and engagement techniques.
Umbo champions person-centred therapy. It means the person and their family/support people leads the conversation. We believe that the most effective therapy occurs when support is given in the environment where the person lives, learns, works or plays. Therefore we work with the family, and teach skills to you or to other supporters. This means you’re achieving real-life goals, rather than just achieving goals in a clinic.
We are a certified social enterprise helping Australian families access allied health services.