For referring physicians
Direct, clinician-to-clinician
adult speech-language pathology.
A concise reference for neurology, geriatric medicine, ENT, primary care and rehabilitation colleagues considering referral to Neurological Communication Partners. Kathleen McGrath, M.S. CCC-SLP is licensed in New Hampshire and Vermont (ASHA CCC-SLP) and in Ireland (CORU), and provides secure telehealth across these jurisdictions.
Conditions seen
Clinical scope
- Parkinson's disease & atypical parkinsonism
- Post-CVA (ischaemic and haemorrhagic) — aphasia, apraxia of speech, dysarthria, dysphagia
- Cognitive-communication change — TBI, mild cognitive impairment, dementia
- Primary progressive aphasia
- Multiple sclerosis — dysarthria, swallowing change
- ALS — speech preservation, AAC planning
- Head & neck cancer rehabilitation (post-treatment)
- Vocal fold paresis / paralysis, muscle tension dysphonia
- Functional voice disorders
When to refer
Clinical triggers
Voice or speech change
Soft voice, monotone, slurring, breathiness, reduced intelligibility — particularly in Parkinson's, post-stroke, MS, or post-extubation.
Swallowing concerns
Coughing or throat-clearing at meals, wet voice quality, weight loss, recurrent chest infections, or patient report of food sticking.
Cognitive-communication change
Word-finding difficulty, conversational breakdown, reduced executive function, or family-reported decline impacting daily life.
Post-acute rehabilitation
Continuation of in-patient SLT goals into the community — particularly after stroke, brain injury or head & neck cancer.
How to refer
A short, encrypted email is enough.
- Email neurocompartners@gmail.com with patient initials in the subject line.
- Send any relevant clinical summary, imaging report, or prior SLP / dietetic notes as encrypted PDF attachments. Avoid free-text PHI in the body.
- Kathleen will confirm receipt the same business day and offer the patient a 15-minute discovery call within 1–2 business days.
- Initial evaluation report is returned to the referrer within 7 calendar days of the first session, with progress notes available on request.
What helps
Information that speeds up the first session.
- Working diagnosis & date of onset / event.
- Relevant imaging (CT / MRI / FEES / VFSS) summary or full report.
- Current medication list — especially neurological & anticholinergic agents.
- Previous SLT or dietetic input & outcomes (if any).
- Specific clinical question or priority concern from the referring clinician.
Receipt confirmed
Same day
Business day, by email.
First session offered
1–2 weeks
Urgent dysphagia: prioritised same week.
Initial report
≤ 7 days
From first session, returned to referrer.
Direct clinician contact
For clinical discussion before referral, Kathleen is happy to take a brief call.
Please do not include identifiable patient information in unencrypted email. Use patient initials only in the subject line; send clinical detail by encrypted PDF attachment.