Speech Therapist
She combined her interest in science – wondering how things worked – with her passion to help others overcome or at least improve their difficulties in speaking.
FAMILY BACKGROUND
Eleanor Fleming (EF) was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
CHILDHOOD
As a child, EF was interested in science, wondering to her parents and friends about such questions as ‘how does that plant grow’ and ‘where do the birds sleep’? She was also an avid reader and loved to help in the family garden.
EF was a member of a Methodist church in the area where she was living, from childhood through her adult years.
EDUCATION – PART ONE
Following graduation from the city’s Frankford High School, EF earned a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from West Chester State Teacher’s College (now West Chester University).
FIRST ADULT JOB IS NEVER A BINDING CAREER COMMITMENT
At first, EF taught elementary school students. Early on, she was drawn to students with ‘special needs.’ Aware that those with speech and hearing issues were especially ‘underserved’ in schools at the time, EF began to focus on assessing, treating and supporting hundreds of students within the West Chester School District while she pursued specialized training in speech therapy.
EDUCATION – PART TWO
Ten years after obtaining her college degree, EF earned a Master’s degree in speech pathology and audiology from the Pennsylvania State University (known nationally as Penn State).
SPEECH THERAPY – OVERVIEW
Speech therapy is the assessment and treatment of communication problems and speech disorders. It is performed by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who are often referred to as ‘speech therapists.’
Speech therapy techniques are used to improve communication. These include articulation therapy, language intervention, and other activities depending on the type of speech or language disorder.
Speech therapy may be needed for speech disorders that develop in childhood or speech impairments in adults caused by an injury or illness, such as stroke or brain injury.
Articulation disorders – The inability to properly form certain word sounds. An example would be saying “thith” instead of “this.”
Fluency disorders – Affect the flow, speed and rhythm of speech. Examples are stuttering (trouble getting out a sound which is blocked or interrupted or unintentionally repeating part of a word) and cluttering (speaking very fast, merging words together).
Resonance disorders – Occur when a blockage or obstruction of regular airflow in the nasal or oral cavities alters the vibrations responsible for voice quality. It can also happen if the velopharyngeal valve doesn’t close properly. Resonance disorders are often associated with cleft palate, neurological disorders and swollen tonsils.
Receptive disorders – Trouble understanding and processing what others say, which can cause the person to seem uninterested when someone else is speaking, has trouble following directions or has a limited vocabulary. Other causes of language disorders include autism, hearing loss and a head injury.
Expressive disorders – Difficulty conveying or expressing information such as forming accurate sentences or using incorrect verb tense. This disorder may be associated with Down syndrome or hearing loss and may result from head trauma or a medical condition.
Cognitive-communication disorders – Difficulty communicating due to an injury to the part of the brain that controls your ability to think. It can result in memory issues, problem solving and difficulty speaking or listening. It can be caused by biological problems such as abnormal brain development, certain neurological conditions, a brain injury or stroke.
Aphasia – An acquired communication disorder that affects a person’s ability to speak and understand others. It also affects the ability to read and write. Stroke is the most common cause of aphasia.
Dysarthria – Characterized by slow or slurred speech due to a weakness or inability to control the muscles used for speech, most commonly caused by nervous system disorders and conditions that cause facial paralysis or throat and tongue weakness, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and stroke.
What happens during speech therapy?
For both children and adults, speech therapy begins with an assessment by an SLP who will identify the type of communication disorder and the best way to treat it.
For children, speech therapy may take place in a classroom or small group, or one-on-one. Speech therapy exercises and activities vary depending on the disorder. The SLP may
*interact through talking and playing, using books and pictures to help stimulate language development
* model correct sounds and syllables during age-appropriate play
* provide strategies and homework for the child and parent / caregiver
For adults following assessment, the SLP may prescribe exercises such as retraining or swallowing function. Exercises may also involve problem solving, memory and organization, conversational tactics, breathing exercises and exercises to strengthen oral muscles. Resources include speech therapy apps, language development games and toys (e.g. flip cards and flash cards) and workbooks.
SPEECH THERAPIST AND MORE
Imagination and individuality were at the core of EF’s personality. “She was a progressive teacher who knew that the arts are a kind of play that nurtures child development,” said a fellow professional. “Her classroom and the home of her children were full of rhymes and pretending, stories and costumes, dancing and music, paint and pullets and papier-mache.”
After years of focusing her teaching efforts on speech therapy, EF became Supervisor of speech, hearing and language services for all schools in Chester County, followed by serving as Assistant Principal at the Child and Career Development Center in Coatesville and the Intermediate unit’s district service team supervisor for Phoenixville and West Chester.
CAREER SATISFACTION
EF’s academic research regarding speech therapy was one of the first to conclude that causation was not determined by race or ethnicity.
“It was her ability to listen, assess someone’s needs, and find a way to meet those needs that set her apart,” said an admirer, who added, “As a supervisor she was about helping the teachers. They didn’t always like her upstairs (meaning school administrators) but she said it was important to do it first and apologize later.”
Devoted to her church, EF worked tirelessly with church leaders and others to address housing and health care inequities, volunteering with Chester County’s Interfaith Housing Assistance Corp. (declairing “it’s important for faith communities to work together”) and the Project One management program for HIV-positive residents after she retired. She helped found ACT in Faith of Greater West Chester to better assist those in need.
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This career story is based on multiple sources including an obituary written by Gary Miles, published by the Philadelphia Inquirer on April 13, 2023 plus internet research including the Healthline website written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst on May 9, 2019, medically reviewed by Elain K. Luo, M.D.
