We evaluate and treat adults, (18 years and older), who have suffered a wide range of cognitive-communication disorders resulting from:
– Traumatic Brain Injury
– Stroke
– Dementia
– Huntington’s Disease
– Parkinson’s Disease
Welcome to Carolina Premier
Speech Therapy!
We are a private practice dedicated to providing high quality,
evidenced-based services for adults with speech, language and
cognitive difficulties.
Our mission is to improve communication and change lives!
View Our Services
Provider
April Gibbs Scott, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
April Gibbs Scott, PhD, CCC-SLP is the owner and operator of Carolina Premier Speech Therapy, PLLC. She is a nationally certified speech-language pathologist who holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed by the N.C. Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist. She received advanced training as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist through the Brain Injury Association of America and is a member of ASHA’s Neurogenic Communication Disorders Special Interest Group.
Dr. Scott obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in Communication Studies and Spanish. She received her Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences from UNC-CH before pursuing her doctorate degree at the University of Pittsburgh. She has co-authored chapters in student textbooks, published in scientific journals, presented research at numerous scientific conferences, guest lectured for area universities, and served as a clinical supervisor for speech therapy students.
Dr. Scott has an extensive clinical background in a variety of settings, including acute care, post-acute rehabilitation, outpatient, and long-term care. She has worked with adults who have strokes, traumatic brain injuries, dementia, voice disorders, and dysphagia, to name a few. She has particular expertise in the rehabilitation of receptive and expressive language skills, cognition and social pragmatic disorders.
Dr. Scott is married and the mother of three energetic boys. She is an avid learner who enjoys watching her sons play soccer, building forts, reading, writing, cooking, and attempting (and sometimes succeeding at) Pinterest projects.
Services
During the evaluation, formal and informal assessments are used to identify clients’ speech, language, and cognitive skills. Clients provide their medical history, areas of concern, and personal goals. The clinician will complete a written report and will discuss a plan of care with the client and/or caregiver. The following areas are evaluated:
Expressive Language
How someone gets thoughts, ideas, needs, and feelings across.
Receptive Language
Understanding words, sentences, and meanings of what someone says or reads.
Cognition
Remembering, paying attention, planning, organizing thoughts, solving problems.
Social Pragmatics
Following social rules when speaking and with actions; understanding emotions in other people accurately.
Speech
Producing sounds correctly or fluently (stuttering, cluttering).
We understand the importance of providing services that are based on scientific evidence and are meaningful to the client. Practical treatment goals increase the chances of success at work, school, and home. Therefore, our treatments are tailored to each client’s personal goals and may address the following:
Aphasia
Difficulty expressing and understanding language, including reading and writing.
– Example: incorrectly naming objects; calling a “dog” a “fish”
– Example: making up new words – calling a “table” a “parbet”
Apraxia of Speech
Difficulty planning and sequencing voluntary movements of the mouth or saying sounds and words.
– Example: someone can stick out their tongue when not asked but can’t when asked to do so.
– Example: when asked to repeat the word ‘umbrella’ it is repeated in different ways (bella; umella; brella; umbella)
Articulation Disorders
Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds that make up words.
– Example: saying “teletone” for “telephone”
Cognition
Remembering, paying attention, planning, organizing thoughts, solving problems.
Dysarthria
Weakness in the muscles used for talking and swallowing due to brain damage; may cause slurred speech, changes in voice, changes in how fast/slow one talks.
Expressive Language
How someone gets thoughts, ideas, needs, and feelings across.
Receptive Language
Understanding words, sentences, and meanings of what someone says or reads.
Fluency
Disruptions in the production of speech; stuttering, cluttering.
– Example: I’m going to b-b-b-b-bake cookies.
Social Pragmatics
Following social rules with actions and when speaking; understanding facial and vocal emotions correctly.
– Example: taking turns and staying on topic when speaking with someone; using appropriate language; recognizing facial emotions accurately
Carolina Premier Speech Therapy delivers high quality contract speech therapy services to meet temporary, short-term or long-term coverage needs at:
– Skilled Nursing Facilities
– Assisted Living Facilities
– Out-patient Agencies
– Employment Sites
– Post-Acute Rehabilitation Centers
Carolina Premier Speech Therapy provides consultation services to assist organizations, companies, and corporations in promoting the inclusion of employees with cognitive or communication disorders in two ways: educational sessions and training sessions.
See the section below for more details and FAQs.
Consulting Information
Carolina Premier Speech Therapy provides consultation services to assist organizations in promoting the inclusion of employees with cognitive or communication disorders in two ways: educational sessions and training sessions. Sessions are customized to your business’ needs and can be completed in-person, via phone, or a video call.
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Providing educational information for management personnel and/or staff about specific disorders and strategies to facilitate communication amongst employees.
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Employees who have a cognitive or communication disorder and wish to educate their co-workers about their specific disorder.
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Teaching strategies to management personnel and their employees for more effective and efficient communication with employees who have cognitive or communication disorders and other employees.
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Modifying workspaces to maximize productivity for employees with cognitive or communication disorders. Depending on the location, we can visit on-site to assist with environmental and administrative accommodations.
Consulting FAQs
What are some example scenarios where consultation services will help my employee who sustained a recent injury, resulting in cognitive and communication changes?
Scenario 1:
My employee suffered a traumatic brain injury and now has difficulty multi-tasking, remembering details discussed in team meetings, and following conversations. As his supervisor, I want to learn more about his TBI so I can make sure he has the resources he needs to succeed at his job duties.
My employee suffered a traumatic brain injury and now has difficulty multi-tasking, remembering details discussed in team meetings, and following conversations. As his supervisor, I want to learn more about his TBI so I can make sure he has the resources he needs to succeed at his job duties.
Scenario 2:
My employee had a stroke and is back at work. She has aphasia. I want to learn more about aphasia and how I can best help her communicate with me and others on the job.
My employee had a stroke and is back at work. She has aphasia. I want to learn more about aphasia and how I can best help her communicate with me and others on the job.
Scenario 3:
I am a college student that suffered a concussion while playing soccer. Now I have having trouble planning my day, organizing my thoughts, and managing my time. I get overwhelmed more quickly and can’t concentrate in my classes.
I am a college student that suffered a concussion while playing soccer. Now I have having trouble planning my day, organizing my thoughts, and managing my time. I get overwhelmed more quickly and can’t concentrate in my classes.
What does the initial consultation entail?
The clients’ needs for services are discussed, including current obstacles preventing employees with communication disorders from reaching their maximum productivity at work.
I’ve completed my initial consultation and decided to have a training and educational session for my staff. Now what?
Please call the office to discuss a date of service. A formal letter of agreement will be signed and the Speech Therapist and the services will be provided.
How much are consulting fees?
The initial consultation is free of charge. Fees for educational and training sessions vary. Please contact us for more information.
Our Approach
Our client-centered, community-based approach emphasizes meaningful goals and personalized success.
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1. Evaluation
Evaluations are used to identify speech, language and cognitive skills. Clients provide their medical history, areas of concern and personal goals.
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2. Plan Development
The clinician will complete a written report and will discuss a plan of care with the client and/or caregiver.
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3. Treatment
Practical treatment goals increase the chances of success. Treatments are tailored to each client’s personal goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers and general information quickly about our business in this section. If your question isn't listed below, please get in touch with us and we'll be happy to help.
Why should I choose Carolina Premier Speech Therapy?
At Carolina Premier Speech Therapy, we aim to improve communication and change lives. To do so, we customize each client’s care plan to target his or her personal goals. Our practice integrates clinical expertise with research driven interventions that are meaningful and can be applied to clients’ everyday lives. We incorporate family and caregivers, so they can learn strategies that will help their loved ones maximize their independence in other environments.
What are your hours?
Please call to schedule all appointments, trainings, consultations, or contract services. Services are by appointment only.
What should I bring to my initial appointment?
Please bring your COMPLETED forms, found under the ‘About’ tab, and your payment which will be collected at the end of the session.
What happens during the initial appointment?
The initial visit lasts 60 minutes and consists of an extensive evaluation with formal and informal portions. During the informal portion, the therapist will ask questions about your history and any concerns you have related to your communication. The formal portion consists of standardized testing. Questions will be answered regarding the expectations and priorities for therapy and a comprehensive, individualized treatment care plan will be discussed.
Where should I go for evaluations and treatments?
Initial evaluations are completed in our Garner office, approximately 10 minutes from downtown Raleigh. The address is 934 Vandora Springs Rd. Garner, N.C. If this location is not convenient for you, please let us know and we will try to make accommodations. The location of treatment sessions will vary depending on each client’s therapy goals. Treatments may be completed in an office setting or locations in the community.
How often will I need speech therapy services?
The frequency and duration of services differ amongst clients and depends on each person’s specific condition and needs. Your therapist will provide the anticipated frequency and duration of services during your initial visit. Our goal is to work with each client and their family members to make services as convenient as possible.
Do you accept insurance?
We are currently in-network with HUMANA, CIGNA, UNITED and BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD.
We are waiting to receive notification from other insurance companies regarding our credentialing status and will update this information when we receive notice.
We accept cash, checks, (most) credit cards, and health savings account cards (HSA).
Families that do not have insurance, or whose insurance company does not cover benefits for speech therapy, have the option of paying out-of-pocket. Out-of-pocket rates are competitive, while still delivering thorough assessments and evaluations.