The Speech-Language Pathology team provides services to NIH patients with oral motor, speech, language, voice, cognitive, and swallowing language and other cognitive impairments. Goals are directed towards optimizing function and enhancing quality of life.

Clinical tests are performed to assess the effects of patients' impairments on functional communication or swallowing in order to determine the best course of clinical management and effect positive outcomes. Specialized studies are conducted to objectively assess physiological function of the oropharynx, and to assess and treat language and communicative discourse abilities in neurologically impaired populations. Infants and children with various genetic or developmental conditions are assessed to establish accurate diagnosis and to provide clinical recommendations to local programs.

Staff members serve in both collaborative and independent clinical research capacities. Research is conducted in swallowing, voice and language and discourse functions. Research studies use brain mapping procedures, on-line cognitive measures and video-fluoroscopic imaging along with computerized voice analysis and stroboscopy to assist in understanding changes caused by medical, neurological or genetic conditions.