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Silver Fox Speech Therapy

FROM the desk of
Kendra McAlear, CScD, CCC-SLP
Adult and Geriatric Specialist

Kendra McAlear in a lab coat - headshot

Hi, I’m Kendra.

Welcome to my speech therapy practice’s website.

In 2015, after nearly 20 years as a practicing speech-language pathologist (SLP), I became a student again. I moved from Colorado to Pennsylvania, enrolling at the University of Pittsburgh to pursue a doctorate in medical speech-language pathology. 

Why?

“ANCORA IMPARO” — This is an Italian phrase that means “I am still learning.”

It’s inscribed on a necklace of mine that reminds me no matter how far I have come in life, whether professional or personal, there is always more to learn. 

One of the things I love about being a speech-language pathologist is that no two patients are the same. Each patient brings their own unique history, personality, and life experience in addition to the speech, language, or swallowing problem that brings them to me. I love the challenge of the new, the unexpected, the unforeseen. 

My patients, not my continuing education courses, are often my best teachers. I love that!

I have worked in most settings that employ speech-language pathologists (SLPs), including acute care, inpatient and outpatient rehab, home healthcare, hospice, and a state university. 

I also have a wealth of experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. 

In grad school at the University of Texas I earned bilingual/multicultural specialization and became a certified medical interpreter at Poudre Valley Hospital. 

I have lived in 13 states and 3 countries, in large urban areas and rural countryside. In my first job out of grad school I treated a patient who spoke only French. My proficiency in Spanish allowed me to treat both children and adults in that language in Texas and Colorado. 

The experiences and advanced skills I learned during my doctoral studies vastly expanded my knowledge and enthusiasm for my field, and gave me new tools to help my patients.

If you’re hoping to overcome swallowing difficulties, speech or language problems after a stroke, speech and swallowing problems after treatment for head and neck cancer, speech and/or cognitive impairment related to Parkinson’s Disease, or cognitive difficulties arising from brain injury or dementia, please contact me.

I do not take a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Each patient is unique; each case is different.

Let’s discuss how, together, we might learn how best to approach your particular concerns, customize your care, and overcome the communication or swallowing barriers that are keeping you from living your best life!

I look forward to speaking with you.

—Kendra

Looking for a speech pathologist?

  • Speech articulation
  • Language therapy: word-finding & syntax
  • Hearing screenings and aural rehab
  • Voice therapy
  • Cognition: Attention, memory, reasoning, problem-solving, judgment, executive function
  • Swallowing therapy
  • Foreign accent modification
  • Family & caregiver education

Screenings

Evaluation

Treatment

Education

Consultation

Speech Therapy Focused on
Your Specific Needs

Cognition

Cognition is, simply put, all of our thinking and reasoning processes! Cognition includes memory, attention/concentration, reasoning, judgment, problem-solving, and executive function (the ability to plan and to carry out that plan). People may experience cognitive difficulties for any number of reasons—head trauma (to include concussion, traumatic brain injury, and brain surgery), stroke, pressure on the brain (such as with tumors, swelling, or excess fluid), degenerative diseases of the nervous system (like Alzheimer’s, ALS, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis), and even some viruses (such as West Nile Virus, HIV, and COVID-19). Although some cognitive impairments may not be curable, speech therapy may be able to lessen the impact of cognitive problems and help people live more independently.

“You don’t know how vital communication and swallowing are until they don’t work.”

Communication

Communication occurs in four ways: what we hear through our ears (listening comprehension), what we see through our eyes (visual comprehension), what we produce from our mouths (verbal expression), and what we produce from our hands/bodies (written and gestural expression). If ANY of these are interrupted, communication can suffer.

Some communication problems are neurologic in nature—that is, they occur due to a problem in the brain or nervous system. Neurologic communication disorders can affect one’s ability to understand what they hear or read, as well as one’s ability to express oneself verbally or in writing. Other communication disorders are due to mechanical issues caused by surgery, trauma, or misuse of muscles. Some common causes of communication disorders include stroke, head injury, head or neck surgery, and diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease and multiple sclerosis.

Swallowing

Swallowing can be impacted in many ways. Dry mouth, missing teeth, pain, weakness, decreased smell, poor appetite, sores in the mouth or throat, ill-fitting dentures, incoordination, tremors, and impaired sensation can all have significant effects on the ability to chew and swallow food safely and efficiently. There are many causes of swallowing disorders (known as dysphagia). Fortunately, there are also many ways a trained speech pathologist can help!

Empowering Caregivers: Insights and Innovations in Dementia Care with Dr. Kendra McAlear

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WY License #SP-1195 • ASHA #09129203

vCard for Kendra McAlear
Click on the card above to save my info to your device.

Still have questions?

Got Questions?
Contact Me
Let's get in touch!

No problem. I am here to help! 
If you're not sure an SLP can help you with your situation, give me a call!
I am always happy to answer any questions (read my FAQs).

Kendra McAlear
Silver Fox Speech Therapy, Inc.
1705 Albany Ave., Suite 300
Cheyenne, WY  82001

Telephone (307) 996-7982
FAX (307) 316-7246
Email: KendraMcAlear@gmail.com