Iowa Speech Solutions, PLLC

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Johnston, IA
Iowa Speech Solutions, PLLC

Adult medical/neuro speech, language, swallow and cognitive services. Based in Des Moines, Iowa. Our visits are by appointment only.

Please give us a call and we will be as flexible as possible. We can offer in home options, depending on the case and location. We are currently accepting Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Midlands Choice. Pending enrollment with Medicaid and Humana. We are adult focused, personalized, specialized and flexible. Our clinicians have additional training in adult dysphagia (swallowing), Parkinson's Voice (SPEAK OUT! and LSVT LOUD), short program for ARK J Trismus, McNeill Dysphagia (swallowing) Program and Intensive Dysphagia treatment, AAC, and Dementia Practitioner.

03/18/2026

Maybe you ask yourself “Did I feed the cat?!”
Or
“Wait, did I actually lock the door?”

You walked to your car 30 seconds ago and suddenly you can’t remember.

This isn’t solely a memory problem — it’s what happens when we move through tasks on autopilot.

One of my favorite strategies: slow down and narrate your actions out loud as you do them.

“I am locking the door.”
“I am turning off the stove.”
“I am feeding the cat.”
“I am turning off the flat iron.”
“I am closing the garage door.”

It feels unnecessary or even silly at first; but speaking a task aloud forces you to slow down and be present in the moment — engaging language and motor centers of the brain together for stronger encoding and recall.

What tasks do you always second-guess?

Comment below. 👇

Alt Text: [black and white cat laying on floor, text box stating “Did we feed the cat?!”]

03/12/2026

As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) working in cognitive communication, one of the most effective strategies I teach clients is task breakdown — and most people don’t break tasks down nearly small enough.

When executive function is compromised, whether from concussion, TBI, stroke, MS, or other conditions, even “simple” tasks can feel paralyzing. The solution isn’t motivation. It’s granularity.

We’re not talking about breaking a task into three or four steps. We’re talking about making each step so small that it requires almost no decision-making to begin.
Take checking email. Most people think of it as one task.

Try this instead:
Sit down at the device. Pick up the device or open the laptop. Press the power button. Wait for the screen. Open the email app. Look at only the first email. Decide one thing: does it need a response today? If no, leave it. If yes, type one sentence. Press send. Close the app.

That’s it for now. You’re done.

Now laundry. Not “do the laundry.” Instead:
Walk to the bedroom. Look at the floor. Pick up one item. Carry it to the hamper. Put it in. Walk away.
Later: Carry the hamper to the machine. Open the lid. Put clothes in. Add detergent. Close the lid. Press start. Walk away.

The goal is to eliminate the gap between intention and action. Each micro-step is its own completion. Each one signals the brain: you did something, which is motivating.

When clients tell me a task feels impossible, my first question is always: how small did you make the steps? Usually, we can go smaller.

03/06/2026

Your phone, laptop, and tablet already have a tool that more people need to know about: text-to-speech and voice-to-text accessibility features.

Most people associate these tools with low vision or blindness, and that is absolutely a valid and important use. But as an SLP working in medical settings, I want to highlight another population that can benefit significantly: individuals recovering from concussion or acquired brain injury.

Screen sensitivity, light sensitivity, and visual processing difficulties are common after a brain injury. Reading can feel effortful, painful, or simply impossible for stretches of the recovery period. Text-to-speech allows someone to access information, communicate, and stay connected without placing that demand on a recovering brain. 🧠

Text to Speech removes the need to look at a screen to type or respond.
These are not workarounds. They are legitimate accommodations that support cognitive rest and functional independence at the same time.

If you are supporting someone in recovery, or if you are navigating this yourself, explore the accessibility settings on your device. They are built in, free, and often underused.

Alternative Text:
A close-up of a hand holding an iPhone. The screen displays a home screen with an accessibility icon representing the text-to-speech or Speak Screen feature, shown as an opaque symbol against the phone display.

03/05/2026

Your phone, laptop, and tablet already have a tool that more people need to know about: text-to-speech and voice-to-text accessibility features.
Most people associate these tools with low vision or blindness, and that is absolutely a valid and important use. But as an SLP working in medical settings, I want to highlight another population that can benefit significantly: individuals recovering from concussion or acquired brain injury.
Screen sensitivity, light sensitivity, and visual processing difficulties are common after a brain injury. Reading can feel effortful, painful, or simply impossible for stretches of the recovery period. Text-to-speech allows someone to access information, communicate, and stay connected without placing that demand on a recovering brain. Voice-to-text removes the need to look at a screen to type or respond.
These are not workarounds. They are legitimate accommodations that support cognitive rest and functional independence at the same time.
If you are supporting someone in recovery, or if you are navigating this yourself, explore the accessibility settings on your device. They are built in, free, and often underused.

02/26/2026

This is a bit of a delayed post, but exciting to announce that we had the pleasure of joining Sydney Marshman on The Balance Broadcast.

We talked about the role of Speech-Language Pathologists in adult neuro care — especially concussion — and why this work is often misunderstood. It’s not just speech; it’s cognitive-communication, executive function, fatigue management, and real-life participation.

In this episode, January 30, 2026, we cover Cognition and Fall Prevention, including:
• Why post-concussion cognitive symptoms are often invisible
• The SLP’s role in adult neuro telehealth and concussion/brain injury care
• Coordinating referrals (mental health, OT, and more)
• Expanding access through telehealth, especially in rural communities

SLPs are a critical part of concussion care. The more we talk about it, the more we reduce stigma and support whole-person recovery.

Tune in to The Balance Broadcast episode from January 30, 2026, “Cognition and Fall Prevention” to learn more.

OT Telehealth InterdisciplinaryCare MedicalSLP

02/18/2026

Ever feel exhausted after doing “just a little multitasking”? Your brain is working double time. Talking while cooking, planning your day, or checking emails can drain your mental battery faster than you realize. ⚡

Cognitive fatigue isn’t laziness—it’s real.
Even everyday tasks like planning meals while on a call or juggling paperwork and conversation can wear your brain down faster. One task at a time can save your mental energy.

02/10/2026

So much of what our adult neuro clients live with is invisible.

Aphasia. Brain injury. Parkinson’s. Cognitive-communication disorders. Voice and swallowing changes. Fatigue. Sensory overload. Processing delays.

On the outside, someone may “look fine.” On the inside, they might be working incredibly hard just to follow a conversation, find the right words, manage brain fog, or keep their voice strong enough to be heard.

That mismatch can be exhausting. Especially in a world that moves fast, expects quick responses, and doesn’t always leave space for pauses, repetition, or alternative ways of communicating.

Invisible disabilities don’t mean invisible effort. Many of our clients are constantly adapting, compensating, and self-monitoring just to get through everyday interactions most people take for granted.

As clinicians, it’s a good reminder that progress isn’t always obvious, and neither are the challenges. Patience, flexibility, and real-world understanding matter more than perfect performance.

02/02/2026

New Blog Post 🗣️💬

AAC works best when it starts early—especially for progressive conditions like ALS and dementia.

Early AAC helps build familiarity, reduce stress, and protect communication over time. It does not stop speech. It strengthens it.

AAC can be paper-based, tech-based, or both—there are many possibilities, and no one-size-fits-all solution.

👉 Read the full blog on our website (www.iowaspeechsolutions.com) to learn why early AAC matters and how it supports long-term communication.

01/23/2026

Call a friend!

As a medical speech-language pathologist, I see every day that communication is more than conversation — it’s brain health.

Social connection plays a powerful role in how our brains function, especially as we age or live with neurological conditions such as dementia. Research has shown that meaningful social engagement supports cognitive reserve, emotional regulation, and overall brain resilience. People who stay socially connected tend to have better memory, attention, and mental health outcomes.

This isn’t just theory — we feel it in our bodies. When I talk with a friend or trusted colleague, I often feel more calm and a little more energized afterward. That shift reflects changes in the nervous system that support regulation and well-being.

For individuals recovering from stroke or living with aphasia, real-world conversation is also treatment. Practicing communication in everyday situations drives neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to form and strengthen new neural pathways. While structured therapy is important, meaningful conversation in daily life is what helps those skills truly stick.

Of course, not all interactions are supportive. The people, topics, and environments matter. The goal is connection that feels safe, respectful, and regulating.

Communication supports the brain.
Connection supports healing.
And being heard supports the whole nervous system.

01/15/2026

“How long will we be seeing each other?”

This is one of the most common questions we hear when we first meet with clients. It is also a very fair question.

The short answer is: it depends.

There are many things that go into how long therapy lasts. As a medical speech-language pathologist, we look at much more than a diagnosis or a set number of visits. Therapy works best when the client is at the center of the plan.

What affects how long therapy lasts?

Each therapy plan at Iowa Speech Solutions is personalized. Some of the factors we consider include:
• What we are working on, such as speech, language, memory, voice, or swallowing
• How severe the difficulty is
• Whether the condition is short-term, long-term, or changing over time
• Your personal goals and what progress means to you
• Your overall health, energy level, and daily responsibilities
• The support you have from family or caregivers
• Your motivation and participation
• How often you are able to practice at home

Because of these factors, it is hard to predict an exact timeline. There is no crystal ball, but there is a clear plan that we review and adjust as needed.

What we focus on from the start
• Therapy is not the same for everyone
• Goals should be meaningful and useful in daily life
• Plans can change as your needs change
• Discharge is often a sign of progress or readiness for the next step

Tips to help therapy be successful

These ideas apply to many types of therapy:
• Be open about what feels hard or overwhelming
• Ask questions if something does not make sense
• Practice regularly, even for short periods
• Build therapy into your daily routine
• Include family or support people when possible
• Share changes in health, energy, or stress
• Notice and celebrate small improvements
• Understand that progress may have ups and downs

Therapy is a team effort. Our role as the therapist is to guide, teach, and adjust the plan. Your role as the client is to share your goals and do what you can within your daily life.

01/05/2026

Lose or strain your voice after the New Year’s celebrations or a big sporting event? 🎉🏈

Most people know that shouting can strain and injure the vocal cords; but whispering can also be damaging, sometimes even more so.

With a whisper, people often push their voice in different ways to still be heard. This can create added tension and strain, especially when your voice is already tired or irritated. For some people, whispering can actually be more damaging than using a gentle, regular speaking voice.

If your voice feels hoarse or worn out:
• Use a comfortable, normal volume
• Take brief voice breaks
• Stay well hydrated (this includes using humidity)
• Avoid both shouting and whispering

Your voice is a finely tuned system and how you use it during recovery matters.

As always, consult with your own physician, ENT, or SLP.

12/31/2025

Iowa Speech Solutions wishes you a peaceful and restful holiday season.

As we look ahead to 2026, we are grateful for the opportunity to continue serving adults across Iowa with compassionate, evidence-based neuro and medical speech therapy. Thank you for trusting us with your care and your journey.

✨ Moving into the new year with care, patience, and possibility. ✨

Address

6165 NW 86th Street Suite 238
Johnston, IA
50131

Telephone

+15152197254

Website

http://www.iowaspeechsolutions.com/

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