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
April Gibbs Scott, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
April Gibbs Scott, PhD, CCC-SLP is the owner 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.
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
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:
How someone gets thoughts, ideas, needs, and feelings across.
Understanding words, sentences, and meanings of what someone says or reads.
Remembering, paying attention, planning, organizing thoughts, solving problems.
Following social rules when speaking and with actions; understanding emotions in other people accurately.
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:
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”
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)
Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds that make up words.
– Example: saying “teletone” for “telephone”
Remembering, paying attention, planning, organizing thoughts, solving problems.
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.
How someone gets thoughts, ideas, needs, and feelings across.
Understanding words, sentences, and meanings of what someone says or reads.
Disruptions in the production of speech; stuttering, cluttering.
– Example: I’m going to b-b-b-b-bake cookies.
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.
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.
Our client-centered, community-based approach emphasizes meaningful goals and personalized success.
Evaluations are used to identify 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.
Practical treatment goals increase the chances of success. Treatments are tailored to each client’s personal goals.
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.
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.
Please call to schedule all appointments, trainings, consultations, or contract services. Services are by appointment only.
Please bring your COMPLETED forms, found under the ‘About’ tab, and your payment which will be collected at the end of the session.
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.
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.
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.
We are in-network with:
AETNA
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NC
CIGNA
HUMANA
MEDICARE
UNITED HEALTHCARE
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 evaluations and treatments.