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Speech Language Pathology

The Speech Language Pathology division offers evaluation and treatment for communication and swallowing disorders for both pediatric and adult populations.

Services we offer include the following:

  • Comprehensive evaluation of speech and oral language
  • Educational evalualtions for children and adults with suspected learning disabilities, including dyslexia and disorders of written language
  • Language communication deficits, including aphasia
  • TBI (traumatic brain injury)
  • Motor Speech Disorders: Dysarthria and Apraxia
  • Cognitive/linguistic deficits
  • Articulation
  • Pediatric expressive language disorders
  • Pediatric receptive language disorders
  • Dysphagia management for pediatric and adult populations including:
    • Modified barium swallow evaluation (MBS)
    • Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
  • Voice disorders
  • Head and neck cancer rehabilitation, including tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis fitting and management
  • Artificial larynx

Our Speech/Language Pathologists 

Kimberly Weir

Kimberly Weir, MS, CCC-SLP
Member of ASHA, SIG 13

Kimberly Weir is a speech-language pathologist working with UMMC's otorhinolaryngology department to address rehabilitation of patients at the acute inpatient and outpatient levels of care. She earned her master's degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences from Loyola University Maryland.

She completed her clinical fellowship year at Lorien Helath Services in Columbia, Maryland, focusing on evaluation and treatment of swallowing, oral communication, and cognitive-linguistic disorders, as well as working with tracheostomy and ventilator-dependent patients.

Kimberly's linical focus is adult swallowing and voice disorders, including head and neck cancer rehabilitation. Specialized interests include tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis (TEP) management for total laryngectomy patients.

Katie Dietrich-Burns, CCC-SLP

Katie Dietrich-Burns, CCC-SLP
Advanced Speech Pathologist

Katie Dietrich-Burns joined the University of Maryland Department of Otolaryngology in 2018 with over 20 years of experience helping adult clients maximize their voice, speech and swallowing function. She has advanced training in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, Estill Voice, Buteyko Breathing, Neuromuscular facial retraining, Neuromuscular Electrical Simulation and SEMG Biofeedback among others. She is an IAL (International Association of Laryngectomees) certified speech instructor and has lectured extensively on voice and airway restoration following laryngectomy.

Katie graduated Magna Cum Laude from Rutgers University with degrees in Psychology and Speech & Language Science. She completed a Master’s in Communicative Disorders from the University of New Mexico, additional graduate education in Oral and Craniofacial Biology at the University of Maryland and in Clinical Research at the Foundation for the Advanced Education of Sciences (NIH). Her current research interests are devoted to motor and sensory function of the upper aerodigestive tract and the impact of acquired orofacial differences on non-verbal communication/patient care.