Speech-Language Pathologist

What is a speech-language pathologist (speech therapist)?

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) diagnoses and treats conditions that affect your ability to communicate and swallow. They’re experts in speech, language, voice and swallowing disorders.

SLPs work with people from birth through old age. They work with small children who are having trouble talking or understanding what’s being communicated. They work with people who have difficulty communicating because of developmental disorders, brain injuries, head and neck cancers and neurological conditions.

“Speech-language pathologist” is the more appropriate term for a “speech therapist.” An SLP uses speech therapy to help people with communication and swallowing disorders.

What does a speech-language pathologist do?

Speech-language pathologists treat:

• Articulation disorders, conditions that make it challenging to use your muscles to form sounds when speaking.
• Cognitive-communication disorders, conditions that involve barriers to communication involving your brain. Barriers include impaired attention and problems organizing your thoughts or remembering.
• Language disorders, conditions that make it difficult to read words, phrases or stories, or to comprehend what others are saying in conversation. It may be challenging to express yourself in ways others understand. Selective language impairment and aphasia are examples.
• Phonological disorders, conditions where you can form sounds correctly with your speaking muscles — but what comes out breaks the rules for how speech should sound.
• Resonance disorders, conditions that disrupt the way sound travels through your mouth, nose or throat when speaking. For example, a cleft palate causes a split in the roof of your mouth, changing how sound waves vibrate. It makes your voice sound nasally.
• Social communication disorders, disorders that make it difficult to communicate in social situations. You may struggle to understand the social cues that help you understand and relate to others. Taking turns speaking during a conversation is one example of a social cue.
• Speech impairments, conditions that make it difficult to communicate and be understood. Examples include childhood apraxia of speech, dysarthria, stuttering and tongue-tie (ankyloglossia).
• Swallowing disorders (dysphagia), conditions that make it difficult to swallow food and fluids or take oral medications safely.
• Voice disorders (dysphonia), conditions that affect your vocal cords, making it challenging to produce sounds. Examples include vocal cord dysfunction, vocal cord lesions and vocal cord paralysis.

SLPs may also work with Deaf and hard-of-hearing populations to help them communicate more effectively. But audiologists are more likely to offer this treatment.

When should you see one?

Your primary care physician (PCP) may refer you to an SLP. Or you might see an SLP if you have concerns about yourself or a loved one. Working with a speech-language pathologist can:

• Improve your speech
• Improve your ability to comprehend others and express yourself
• Help you communicate more effectively in social settings
• Open up new communication possibilities if you have limited or no speaking ability
• Help you swallow safely

Specialties

What do they specialize in?

SLPs may hold specialty certification in:

• Child language disorders
• Fluency disorders
• Swallowing disorders

Where do speech-language pathologists work?

Speech-language pathologists work in many settings. For example, some work with children with developmental disorders in schools. Others work with adults with neurological disorders in hospitals. Other settings include:

• Assisted living facilities
• Corporate settings
• Military bases
• Private practice or clinics
• Rehabilitation centers
• Skilled nursing/long-term care facilities

How does a speech-language pathologist help a child?

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with children with childhood speech disorders. They help children form sounds and words. They help them develop a firmer grasp of how to comprehend and use language. SLPs help children develop language skills for social settings.

They can also help your child if they’re having difficulty swallowing.