Georgia State University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic

• Message from the Clinic Director
• Client Bill of Rights
• Clinic FAQs 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Services

Georgia State University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic is a part of the Communication Disorders graduate program at Georgia State University.  Services at our clinic are provided by graduate students in training to become licensed speech-language pathologists.  These students are supervised by licensed speech-language pathologists and audiologists. The majority of clinical supervisors are faculty members in the Communication Disorders program within the department of Educational Psychology and Special Education. The Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic does not discriminate in the delivery of services for any reason including race, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.  

Speech-Language Evaluations
 
Evaluations are scheduled in three-hour blocks of time and are completed by teams of graduate students and supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist. Evaluations are thorough in-depth sessions designed to describe a person’s communication difficulty. A detailed case history form must be completed prior to scheduling an evaluation. A case history form may be requested by contacting the Georgia State University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at 404-413-8044.  The information provided on the form is used to plan the evaluation session. All aspects of speech and language ability are assessed during the evaluation. In addition, a hearing screening and oral exam are completed. Evaluations are available for children and adult clients of all ages.

Evaluations are scheduled during Fall and Spring semesters. There are a limited number of evaluation appointments available and clients should be aware that you may not be scheduled for an evaluation during the same semester you return your case history.

Speech-Language-Hearing Screenings

Speech-language-hearing screenings are completed on and off campus. Screenings take approximately 20-30 minutes. Area preschools and private schools can call to request a screening program. Results and recommendations are provided at the conclusion of the screening.

Speech-language-hearing screenings are scheduled during Fall and Spring semesters only. There is a fee for screenings in the Clinic and at off-campus locations.

Hearing Evaluations

Hearing evaluations are scheduled in one-hour blocks of time. The evaluation thoroughly tests the structure and function of the ears. Determination of a loss and recommendations are provided at the time of the evaluation and indicate if you should seek further medical treatment, consider the use of hearing aids, or if no problem was found. Evaluations are available for both children and adult clients of all ages. 

Evaluations are scheduled during Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. There are a limited number of appointments and clients should be aware that you may not be scheduled for an evaluation during the same semester you request services.  

Hearing Screenings

Hearing screenings are scheduled in 30-minute blocks of time. Hearing screenings determine if an individual is at risk for a hearing loss and would benefit from a complete evaluation. Results and recommendations are provided at the conclusion of the screening.

Hearing screenings are scheduled in the Clinic during Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. There are a limited number of appointments and clients should be aware that you may not be scheduled for a screening during the same semester you request services. There is a fee for a hearing screening provided on-campus. Off-campus hearing screenings are typically performed in conjunction with a speech-language screening.

Speech-Language Therapy

Speech-language therapy is available for children and adult clients of all ages. Therapy sessions are scheduled twice per week for most clients. Personalized therapy goals are developed for each client in conjunction with the client, client’s family, and clinical supervisor. Each therapy room is equipped with a large two-way mirror for observation of clients during therapy. 
Therapy is scheduled according to the availability of the client, student clinicians, and supervisors. There are a limited number of available appointments each semester and some clients may not be scheduled in the semester they request services. In addition, current clients may not be scheduled for consecutive semesters due to scheduling conflicts. The Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic operates on Georgia State University’s academic calendar and adheres to all school openings and closings including breaks and holidays. The Fall and Spring semesters of therapy are 14 weeks in length. The Summer session is five weeks in length. In the case of inclement weather the clinic is open as long as Georgia State University is open. Clients are expected to attend all scheduled therapy sessions during the semester because this is a teaching facility. Dismissal will occur if more than three absences occur or if the client exhibits a consistent pattern of tardiness. If the client is under 18 years of age, a parent or responsible adult must accompany the child to the clinic and remain in the clinic area during the appointment. If the parent or adult must leave the clinic area the receptionist or clinician must be notified in order to insure the safety of children seen for services. It is also recommended that clients with cognitive dysfunction and/or mobility limitations are accompanied by a family member to insure their safety in case of an emergency. 

Clinic Fees

• Therapy fees should be paid within two weeks of service. Evaluation fees are due the day of the service. 

• The Georgia State University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic does not evaluate or treat Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries and does not bill private insurance. We accept cash or check for payment.
• No one will be denied services due to inability to pay full fees. A sliding scale is available. Please contact the Clinic Director to discuss a fee adjustment.
• Georgia State University students will not be charged for clinical services. 
• Georgia State University faculty and staff members will be charged 50% of the regular fee for the service provided.   

Disorders Treated: 

Communication disorders affect the way people talk, hear, or understand speech. These differences may range from mild to severe. The Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic provides evaluation and therapy services for a variety of disorders including articulation, phonology, language, stuttering, hearing, cognition, and voice. We provide services for specific problem areas such as aphasia, apraxia of speech, and dysarthria.  Services also are available for clients requesting assistance with accent reduction and dialectal differences.

The Clinic sees clients with a variety of causes that may contribute to their communication disorder including but not limited to stroke, traumatic brain injury, autism, and developmental delays. The Clinic is not currently providing therapy for clients with a need for swallowing therapy or myofunctional disorders. The Clinic is accessible for individuals with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs.

For additional information regarding communication disorders, please see the following websites:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (http://asha.org/default.htm)
National Aphasia Association (http://www.aphasia.org/)
Stuttering Foundation of America (http://www.stutteringhelp.org/)