What outpatient service assesses and treats communication and swallowing disorders?

Speech therapy is specifically designed to assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders. This therapy focuses on helping individuals who may have difficulties with speech production, language comprehension, fluency, voice, and non-verbal communication. Additionally, speech therapists are trained to address swallowing difficulties, a condition known as dysphagia, which can significantly impact nutrition and overall health.

In contrast, occupational therapy primarily assists individuals in improving their ability to perform daily activities and may involve adaptations for physical or cognitive challenges, but it does not focus specifically on communication or swallowing issues. Physical therapy primarily deals with mobility, physical function, and rehabilitation of physical injuries or conditions rather than communication or swallowing. Rehabilitation services encompass a broader range of therapeutic practices that can include physical, occupational, and speech therapy, but this term is too generic to specify the targeted services for communication and swallowing disorders. Thus, speech therapy is the most accurate choice for the specified outpatient service.