A person’s ability to communicate clearly is of utmost importance for success in today’s ever evolving world. A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is an expert in this field and the Jackson Parish Hospital (JPH) offers a Speech Language Pathology Clinic that provides both inpatient and outpatient services to the residents of Jackson Parish and surrounding areas.

Madonna Caldwell, a 26 year resident of Jackson Parish, has been the SLP at the Jackson Parish Hospital for the last three years. Prior to becoming full time with the facility, the Louisiana Tech graduate who has over 30 years of experience provided the same services on a contract basis for over fifteen years.

SLP’s evaluate patients to determine the nature of communication and swallowing problems. Then a treatment plan is developed and services are initiated to fit their individual needs with their doctor’s approval. People can develop speech, swallowing and/or vocal issues for a multitude of reasons such as:

1. Premature birth
2. Developmental disabilities
3. Genetic differences
4. Hearing loss
5. Strokes
6. Brain injuries
7. Autism
8. Intellectual disabilities
9. Severe or long-term illnesses
10. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
11. Head and neck cancer
12. Vocal cord issues, and
13. Breathing problems.

A Speech Language Pathologist working in the medical field is required to hold a Master’s Degree or higher from an accredited university. SLP’s are licensed by the Louisiana Board of Examiner’s of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology as well as being nationally accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

The time to see an SLP is different for children and adults. For children when they are not saying new words on a regular basis, start to follow directions, play with others, make friends, learn to read and write, remember what they are told, stay organized in school and at home, eating and swallowing.

For adults it is when they start to have trouble saying words clearly, thinking of the right words to say, understanding what others are saying, reading or writing words and sentences, remembering people’s names or other information, solving everyday problems, socializing with others, eating or swallowing.
Having problems with any of the above described issues or simply want to have your child evaluated? Contact the Speech Language Pathology Clinic at the Jackson Parish Hospital by calling 318-259-4435 to set up an appointment.