Concussions can happen from car accidents, falls, sports injuries, whiplash, direct blows to the head or explosions. They are so common that people may shrug them off as just a “bump on the head”. But even if the affected person’s CT scan or MRI looks normal, and they appear relatively “OK” on the outside, their brain has undergone very real damage. You may experience symptoms hours, days or weeks after the injury. The force of the injury changes your brain (swelling, tearing, and sheering of neurons). Many unpleasant aftereffects can follow, including headaches, vision problems, memory loss, confusion, nausea or vomiting, irritability, trouble with organization and decision-making, mental fatigue (along with overall tiredness), coordination or balance problems, emotional instability and sleep disturbances. And once you’ve had one concussion, you are so much more vulnerable to get another one. In fact, we have worked with clients who thought they had sustained maybe two or three concussions, only to find out, they’ve had as many as seven or eight! Left untreated, multiple concussions can lead to long-term and debilitating damage.
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Our dedicated team of speech-language pathologists are specially trained in speech therapy as it relates to cognitive-communication issues (how you listen, process, focus, remember, and communicate). We are also nationally certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, are nationally recognized by the Brain Injury Association of America and are Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS). We are licensed to practice in both North Dakota and Minnesota. We believe every patient deserves the best treatment and support we can offer in every single contact and interaction with us.
We recognize that no two people have the same needs and that everyone has different learning styles. That’s why we like to call our approach “the Progressive way,” which means we will happily customize treatment plans to meet the unique needs of the individual and their family. We also believe in “the right fit” between patient and therapist, so will make every effort to match you with a clinician who connects with you, understands you, and utilizes a therapy style that is comfortable for you.
Depending on the goals you wish to accomplish and the learning pace that is most comfortable for you, we will arm you with the evidence-based strategies, proven skills, and ample support you need to feel more organized, prepared, and effective. Therapy strategies may range from recommendations for specific tools (such as timers or planners), one-on-one brainstorming and problem-solving to address concerns, therapeutic activities as well as computer trials or worksheets to help strengthen cognitive and executive functions like attention, memory, and planning.
We know that working on cognitive-communication issues is hard work and that it can be easy to feel defeated or overwhelmed by the challenges of building a more efficient brain. However, you will not be in this alone. We are not just speech-language pathologists; we are fellow human beings who care about you, your journey, and your success. We don’t want an appointment to feel like you’ve been sent to the principal’s office. Instead, you’ll find a comfortable space where you’ll feel listened to and understood. And because humor makes everything more bearable, be prepared to laugh and joke a bit too!