Staff in Rehabilitation at Pella Regional Health Center are offering free speech and language screenings for the community throughout the month of May for Better Hearing and Speech Month.

Screenings are open to all ages – children and adults – and are free. Call 641-628-6623 to schedule a free screening through May.

Certified speech-language pathologists will screen children for communication concerns, including language disorders, speech sound disorders, stuttering and voice disorders. They are also able to answer questions about a child’s communication development.

Speech and language disorders are among the most common conditions in children. A number of recent studies have shown that these disorders are on the rise in the United States. Untreated communication disorders can lead to problems with reading, writing, learning and overall academic achievement. They also may lead to problems with social skills. Early detection is the key to a shorter, more effective and less expensive course of treatment. Ideally, treatment begins long before a child enters school, so parents should not delay if they have concerns. However, treatment at any age is critical.

Certified speech-language pathologists will screen adults for memory concerns. The screening consists of a series of questions and tasks and takes approximately ten minutes. Memory screening is not a test for dementia and results are not a diagnosis. Individuals with below-normal scores or who have concerns are encouraged to pursue a full medical exam with their physician.

Some memory problems can be readily treated, such as those caused by vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems. Other memory problems might result from causes that are not currently reversible, such as Alzheimer’s disease. In general, the earlier the diagnosis, the easier it is to treat one of these conditions. Warning signs of dementia include forgetting people’s names and events, asking repetitive questions, loss of verbal or written skills, confusion with daily routines, and erratic mood swings.

Screenings are open to all ages – children and adults – and are free. Call 641-628-6623 to schedule a free screening through May.