What does a speech-language pathologist do?

A clinical speech-language pathologist conducts comprehensive evaluations and then formulates specific individualized goals based upon the testing results. These goals are then implemented in a speech-language therapy program.  more

Speech language pathologists (SLP as it's commonly referred to) evaluate, identify, treat, and help prevent speech, language, cognitive-communication, swallowing, voice, fluency, and other associated disorders. SLP jobs often works with the full range of human communication and its disorders and treats patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Speech language pathologist treats congenital, developmental, and/or acquired difficulties such as: Swallowing difficulties Voice disorders – harsh voice or inappropriate pitch Stuttering or other speech rhythm problems Speech sound production Fluency – problems producing and understanding language Accent modification and improvement of communication skills Cognitive communication impairments – problem solving, memory, and attention disorders These problems can be the result of a number of variables including brain deterioration or injury, cleft palate, mental retardation, emotional troubles, cerebral palsy, loss of hearing, stroke, ...

A speech language pathologist is someone who diagnoses and treats language and speech disorders. They often work in hospitals and schools, but may also work in private practice as a consultant. In schools, their main focus is usually on providing help and support to children who require extra speech help outside of normal classes, while in hospitals, they help people who have medical conditions that cause communication impairment. A speech language pathologist working as a private consultant may work with adults and children who have speech impairment for a wider variety of reasons, including psychological as well as physical factors. Speech language pathologists usually work one-on-one with their clients, rather than in groups of two or more people. The first visit or two with a new patient is usually spent assessing the type of language or speech disorder they are affected by. Next, the speech therapist will spend some time devising a treatment plan that will most effectively help ...  more

A speech-language pathologist is a licensed health care professional who diagnoses, evaluates, and treats disorders of speech, voice, swallowing, and/or language.  more