BU Speech Pathology program expands

JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Binghamton University is bringing a badly needed therapy to our area with the expansion of one of its health sciences programs.

The Division of Speech and Language Pathology moved into the former Gannett printing press building in Johnson City in August. It offers an undergraduate minor in speech pathology and just launched a master's program for those seeking a professional license.

In addition, it is greatly expanding its community clinic which it opened in the Decker Nursing School building in 2022.

It's growing from seeing 20 clients a semester to 50 so far this fall.

The students and clinicians provide speech therapy services to children from early intervention and preschool through grade school.

Founding Director Rodney Gabel says many school speech therapy programs are understaffed and lack some of the specializations that the BU clinic can offer.

Gabel says the clinic also serves adults who are recovering from a stroke, suffering from Parkinson's or other neurological disease that interferes with their ability to speak. He wants the clinic to be an option for those whose speech therapy insurance coverage has run out.

"People can continue their healing, their development from their stroke or from their neurological condition here because we're cheaper. Since we have the students, we have more time. And the students often times are so excited to be working with clients. They're fresh and they're learning and they're excited about it so they can really just offer a different experience. Not better, just different," said Gabel.

Gabel, who is himself a stutterer, is planning to host intensive camps for those who stutter called "Dream, Speak, Live."

The speech pathology graduate program just started this semester and already has 27 students.

The clinic operates on a self-pay model with initial diagnostic visits costing $100 to $125. Individual therapy sessions cost $25 and group therapy is $10.

Gabel says the program also offers a sliding scale.