Autumn Schlichting, speech language pathologist, sees patients of all ages. She diagnoses and treats a range of speech, language, cognitive and swallowing disorders and specializes in infant feeding and neurology.
An experience shadowing a speech-language pathologist (SLP) in a hospital drew Autumn Schlichting to being a SLP.
“They were completing a videofluoroscopic swallow study on an individual with a recent stroke. It was incredible to see their progress, secondary to all the work they put in with their SLP, as a team," Autumn said. “I never looked back."
Autumn received her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and her master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Her desire to collaborate drove her to health care.
As a speech language pathologist, Autumn sees patients of all ages, primarily specializing in infant feeding (breast and/or bottle from birth to six months) and neurology patients. She is the lead SLP as part of the interdisciplinary neurology program with Marshfield Medical Center-Eau Claire. They work with those diagnosed with strokes and other progressive diseases, like ALS, MS or Parkinson's disease.
She is SPEAK OUT! and MBSImP certified. She diagnoses and treats a range of speech, language, cognitive and swallowing disorders.
“I enjoy working with patients who suffer from chronic diseases, experienced a trauma or have a progressive neurological disease," she said. “I evaluate swallowing ability, from things like stroke, spinal surgery or trauma, and recommend an appropriate diet, compensatory strategies and an exercise regimen, as needed."
Her emphasis is on helping her patients make an educated decision and supporting them with that decision. Autumn enjoys working with her patients one-on-one and collaborating with other providers. This is crucial from birth to end-of-life.
“Each patient's care plan is individualized. From start to finish, it is a team effort. We work together to train loved ones or frequent communication partners," she said. “I am deeply involved in providing patients, caregivers, and other professionals the education they need to make a decisions about their life that they feel best fit their lifestyle and goals. These educated decisions are vital to having successful, long-term outcomes."
She also strives to be there for her patients and advocate for them to make sure their goals are being met.
“There's always something to learn. I strive to have the most up-to-date research, provide the most evidence-based treatment, and take time to listen to my patient and/or their caregiver. Their personal and functional goals drive our treatment" she said.
Autumn has personal infant feeding experiences, which is what drove her to help fill the void in the area. She learned how vital it was to push providers to collaborate to ensure the best possible outcome. She additionally has experienced life as a caregiver, and understands how an empathetic and driven professional can help make a difference.
Autumn is happily married with two children. They live in Eau Claire with their Bernese Mountain Dog, Summit. As a family, they enjoy traveling, fishing, swimming, golfing and downhill skiing.