What does a speech-language pathologist actually do?
“I’m a Speech-Language Pathologist.”
“So, you help kids with their sounds?”
“Yes, AND……”
Any SLP out there knows this conversation well. Educating and advocating for our misunderstood profession is part of what we do. Occupational Therapists (OTs) are no stranger to this as well! Our job titles simplify our scope of practice and sometimes lead the general public to be confused about what we actually do. When you see the list below, you might have some more context for why SLPs everywhere let out a gentle sigh whenever we hear this question.
So, what do we do, in a nutshell?
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), often referred to as “speech therapists”, are highly trained medical professionals who diagnose, treat, and help prevent a wide range of speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders across the lifespan—from infants to older adults. Basically, we help people with three of the most important things we do as humans: eating, communicating, and thinking. Entry level positions require a masters degree and requirements for state licensure and national certification require an average of 10 hours of continuing education each year. We work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practices, nursing homes, telepractice and clinics. Our training allows us to address a broad spectrum of conditions and provide holistic care to individuals with communication and swallowing difficulties.
With each of these areas listed below, an SLP you know and love has memories tied to very special people. I know this because every SLP I know has a heart of gold. To enter and REMAIN in this field takes fortitude. We persist with our work because of the amazing people that we are able to help.
Speech sound production in children: This is what most people think of when they hear “speech therapist.” Some children have difficulty producing sounds correctly, and SLPs address a range of issues including articulation disorders, phonological patterns, and/or motor planning issues (apraxia) that impact speech clarity.
Language delays and disorders in children: We help children who are struggling to develop language skills which includes understanding, speaking, or using appropriate vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, and/or social skills. Some children are “late talkers” and others have disordered language skills.
Literacy and reading disorders: SLPs have a unique ability to assist children with literacy challenges by honing their advanced training and focusing on issues like reading comprehension, phonological awareness, and writing difficulties, which can often related to dyslexia or other learning disabilities.
Fluency disorders: We can work to support people with fluency disorders such as stuttering or cluttering, by helping with self-advocacy and teaching strategies.
Voice disorders: We work with individuals who experience abnormal voice quality, such as hoarseness, breathiness, or vocal strain, which might be due to misuse or underlying medical conditions affecting the voice anatomy.
Feeding disorders: We assess and treat difficulties with feeding, such as problems with sucking, chewing, swallowing, and managing food textures to foster safe and healthy eating patterns. This can include sensory or behavioral difficulties involved with feeding children.
Swallowing disorders: We diagnose and treat swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), helping individuals eat and drink by improving coordination and function of swallowing.
Executive function disorders in school-age children and adults: We support children and adults with executive function challenges, focusing on skills like organization, memory, problem-solving, and planning, often associated with ADHD or brain injuries.
Augmentative-alternative communication (AAC): We provide AAC strategies and devices for individuals that are minimally verbal or non-speaking by helping them express thoughts, needs, and ideas through other methods such as communication boards, speech-generating devices, or sign language.
Speech sound production for acquired conditions in adults: We work with adults who have lost the ability to produce speech sounds correctly due to conditions like stroke, brain injury, or neurological disorders (e.g. Parkinson’s), helping them rehabilitate their clarity of speech.
Language therapy for acquired conditions in adults: SLPs provide language therapy to adults with acquired conditions (e.g., aphasia, brain tumors) that affect their ability to understand or produce spoken or written language, aiming to improve their communication skills.
Cognitive-communication disorders in adults: We help adults with cognitive-communication disorders, often resulting from brain injury, stroke, or dementia, to improve memory, attention, problem-solving, and social communication skills.
Aural rehabilitation: We assess the impact of hearing loss on speech and language, providing auditory training, and teaching strategies to enhance speech recognition and listening. SLPs also support the use of hearing aids or cochlear implants and help clients develop effective communication techniques, such as speechreading and utilizing amplification devices.
Additional specialty areas of focus: This ever-growing list adds to the already massive scope of practice and includes niche areas like parent coaching/consultations, assistive technology, head and neck cancer, voice therapy for professional voice users (e.g. teachers, singers, actors), orofacial myofunctional disorders, gender-affirming voice therapy, accent-modification services, etc.
If you made it this far, I’m impressed and surprised! The profession is as rewarding as its scope is vast.
