Screening: An informal and limited evaluation of an individual with a suspected disorder to determine whether further assessment should be conducted. A physician’s order is not needed and a patient would not be billed for this service.

 Evaluation: A thorough evaluation of speech and language skills using standardized test measures and/or informal testing procedures. Voice evaluations are conducted using perceptual analysis. Swallowing evaluations consist of clinical evaluations at bedside and modified barium swallow evaluations conducted in the radiology department.

 Treatment: An individualized therapy program to improve the communication impairment and/or swallowing problems. A physician’s order is needed for most third-party payors.

 Patient-family education: Information relevant to the patient’s communication disorder and/or dysphagia. This may be provided in conjunction with the screen, the evaluation and/or the treatment.

 Community education: Information relevant to communication disorders and/or dysphagia to the general public.