Speech Therapist

Speech-Language Pathology is a field of expertise practiced by a clinician known as a speech-language pathologist (SLP). or a speech therapist. SLP is considered a 'related health profession' or 'allied health profession' along with audiology, behavior analysis, optometry, occupational therapy, clinical psychology, physical therapy, and others. Speech-Language Pathology is a field of expertise practiced by a clinician known as a speech-language pathologist (SLP). or a speech therapist. SLP is considered a 'related health profession' or 'allied health profession' along with audiology, behavior analysis, optometry, occupational therapy, clinical psychology, physical therapy, and others. SLPs specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of communication disorders (speech disorders and language disorders), cognitive-communication disorders, voice disorders, and swallowing disorders. SLPs also play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (often in a team with pediatricians and psychologists). A common misconception is that speech-language pathology is restricted treatment of articulation disorders (e.g. helping English speaking individuals enunciate the traditionally difficult 'r') and/or the treatment of individuals who stutter. In fact, speech-language pathology is concerned with a broad scope of speech, language, swallowing, and voice issues involved in communication, some of which include: The components of speech production include: The components of language include: Primary pediatric speech and language disorders include: receptive and expressive language disorders, speech sound disorders, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), stuttering, and language-based learning disabilities. Speech pathologist not only work with adolescents with speech and language impediments, but also those that are elderly. Swallowing disorders include difficulties in any system of the swallowing process (i.e. oral, pharyngeal, esophageal), as well as functional dysphagia and feeding disorders. Swallowing disorders can occur at any age and can stem from multiple causes. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) provide a wide range of services, mainly on an individual basis, but also as support for individuals, families, support groups, and providing information for the general public. SLPs work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. Speech services begin with initial screening for communication and swallowing disorders and continue with assessment and diagnosis, consultation for the provision of advice regarding management, intervention, and treatment, and providing counseling and other follow up services for these disorders. Services are provided in the following areas: Speech, language, and swallowing disorders result from a variety of causes, such as a stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, a cleft palate, cerebral palsy, or emotional issues.