What is a Speech-Language Pathologist?
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) is a highly-trained professional who evaluates and treats children and adults who have difficulty with speech or language. SLPs work in many different research, education, and health care settings with varying roles, levels of responsibility, and client populations. In many settings, SLPs often work as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team, which may include teachers, physicians, audiologists, psychologists, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, and rehabilitation counselors.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat
(1) Speech Disorders
(2) Language Disorders
(3) Other Disorders
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat
(1) Speech Disorders
- Articulation - the way we say our speech sounds
- Phonology - the speech patterns we use
- Apraxia - difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed to make speech sounds
- Fluency - stuttering
- Voice - problems with the way the voice sounds, such as hoarseness
(2) Language Disorders
- Receptive Language - difficulty understanding language
- Expressive Language - difficulty using language
- Pragmatic Language - social communication; the way we speak to each other
(3) Other Disorders
- Oral-Motor Disorders - weak tongue and/or lip muscles
- Swallowing/Feeding Disorders - difficulty chewing and/or swallowing
- Phonological Awareness Disorders - difficulty manipulating sounds and words, or “playing” with sounds and words.