Ineffective communication in our lives can sometimes lead to not having our essential needs and wants met. This is why Lyster Army Health Clinic recognizes Better Hearing and Speech Month during the month of May.
As part of the recognition, Lyster will offer free hearing and speech screenings for post children ages zero through two, Wednesday May 20 from 8:00 a.m. until noon at the clinic.
"If parents have concerns they are welcome to call Educational Development and Intervention Services, or EDIS, and request a screening appointment," said Nancee Dixon, speech and language pathologist at Lyster Army Health Clinic. "We want Fort Rucker children seen and for their benefit and the families. We are also willing to do screenings for older children on a case-by-case basis."
Better Hearing and Speech Month is in place to help further inform the community that there is help available, and where and how to possibly get that help. It also helps educate others on the range of communication problems for which people can get help and support.
"Better Hearing and Speech Month helps people understand some of the issues that people face when they cannot communicate or understand appropriately," said Dixon.
Dixon said Lyster offers many programs to help families of children and adults with communication and developmental disorders.
EDIS is a big support on Fort Rucker for children ages birth to three who have developmental disabilities. These disabilities often look like communication problems at first, but are more global and have far reaching concerns.
"Lyster's speech and language pathologists provide services for speech and language disorders, the most prevalent disorders in our population," said Cpt. Lydia Malloy, chief of audiology at Lyster Army Health Clinic." The Eye and Ear Clinic at LAHC commonly see children who have delays in speech or language or a history of hearing issues such as ear infections. Hearing is essential to speech and language development. When a child has difficulty hearing, it may subsequently affect their speech and language development. If we identify a hearing issue, the patient is referred to their primary care physician or ENT physician for treatment."
Dixon said one of the biggest issues she notices, is that people are told to wait to contact a speech or language pathologist or audiologist.
"Early intervention is best. If you see any signs of your child not responding to your voice or having trouble with words and speaking, please call to make an appointment."
For more information or to schedule a time for your child to be seen on May 20, please call EDIS at 334-255-7237.
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