Speech-language pathologists


Speech-language pathologists, sometimes called speech therapists, assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent speech, language, cognitive, communication, voice, swallowing, fluency, and other related disorders.
Speech-language pathologists work with people who cannot make speech sounds, or cannot make them clearly; those with speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering; people with voice quality problems, such as inappropriate pitch or harsh voice; those with problems understanding and producing language; those who wish to improve their communication skills by modifying an accent; those with cognitive communication impairments, such as attention, memory, and problem solving disorders; and those with hearing loss who use hearing aids or cochlear implants in order to develop auditory skills and improve communication. They also work with people who have swallowing difficulties.
Speech and language difficulties can result from a variety of causes including stroke, brain injury or deterioration, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, cleft palate, voice pathology, mental retardation, hearing impairment, or emotional problems. Problems can be congenital, developmental, or acquired. Speech-language pathologists use written and oral tests, as well as special instruments, to diagnose the nature and extent of impairment and to record and analyze speech, language, and swallowing irregularities. Speech-language pathologists develop an individualized plan of care, tailored to each patient�s needs. For individuals with little or no speech capability, speech-language pathologists may select augmentative or alternative communication methods, including automated devices and sign language, and teach their use. They teach these individuals how to make sounds, improve their voices, or increase their language skills to communicate more effectively. Speech-language pathologists help patients develop, or recover, reliable communication skills so patients can fulfill their educational, vocational, and social roles.
Most speech-language pathologists provide direct clinical services to individuals with communication or swallowing disorders. In speech and language clinics, they may independently develop and carry out treatment programs. In medical facilities, they may work with physicians, social workers, psychologists, and other therapists. Speech-language pathologists in schools develop individual or group programs, counsel parents, and may assist teachers with classroom activities.
Speech-language pathologists keep records on the initial evaluation, progress, and discharge of clients. This helps pinpoint problems, tracks client progress, and justifies the cost of treatment when applying for reimbursement. They counsel individuals and their families concerning communication disorders and how to cope with the stress and misunderstanding that often accompany them. They also work with family members to recognize and change behavior patterns that impede communication and treatment and show them communication-enhancing techniques to use at home.
Some speech-language pathologists conduct research on how people communicate. Others design and develop equipment or techniques for diagnosing and treating speech problems.

Related news articles
Speech services abound - Oct 14, 2006
Deseret News,..."Good for them. Be persistent.". And they're right, said Millet and Angela Menlove, an acute care speech language pathologist, also at LDS Hospital. ...

Communication is a powerful drive - Oct 12, 2006
Deseret News,...their voice more and other forms of communication, it is a very powerful human interaction," says Angela Menlove, acute care speech language pathologist at LDS ...

Speaking Of English... - Oct 12, 2006
WOWT,Speech/Language Pathologist Debbie Kutler says, "Every day I go to a restaurant or get a manicure, or meet a doctor or engineer who English is their second ...

Eardrum-blasting toys raise ruckus - Oct 3, 2006
Ottawa Sun,Early hearing damage can delay a child's speaking ability, said speech-language pathologist Linda Rammage. "They don't learn speech and language appropriately. ...

Dance studio broadens horizons - Oct 6, 2006
Bradford County Telegraph,Language Pathology. She served as a school speech-language pathologist in Columbia and Union counties for the past four years. She ...

Living life to the fullest motivates rehabilitation success - Oct 9, 2006
Hospital News,Ellison had the same attitude towards other areas of her therapy as well. When Shannon Donovan, Speech-Language Pathologist at St. ...

Bragg teacher receives award - Oct 12, 2006
Fayetteville Online,Marsh and Fort Bragg School speech language pathologist Claudia Powell were selected to participate in the Oxford Round Table in England. ...

Three-year-old's ear deformity rare - Sep 30, 2006
News 10 Now,Cathy Lane-Johnson, a Speech Language Pathologist, said, "He's learning signing exact English as opposed to American Sign Language because Carson will hear, he ...

New therapy practice opens in Mansfield - Sep 15, 2006
Mansfield News,Jennifer Higgins, MS, CCC/SLP, a licensed speech language pathologist, has recently opened a new therapy practice in Mansfield, Small Talk Therapy. ...

Interactive device gives Slade a voice in the world - Sep 19, 2006
Arizona Republic,...cause and effect - if I push this, a voice happens and it has meaning and gets me what I want," says Anita Werner, a speech-language pathologist and director ...

‘Part of the class’ - Oct 5, 2006
Main Street Newspapers,...like brushing their teeth, only to find out they can and that they want to, once they see their peers do it,�? speech language pathologist Betty Andrews ...

TOP DRAWER - Oct 7, 2006
Columbia Daily Tribune,Marilee Dunn, a speech/language pathologist and owner of Columbia Speech Rehab LLC, has earned a fourth Award for Continuing Education from the American Speech ...

Pearson Assessments Introduces The Bridge of Vocabulary - Sep 28, 2006
Business Wire (press release),Montgomery has more than two decades of experience as a speech-language pathologist, school principal and director of special-education in California public ...

People in Business - Oct 2, 2006
Delmarva Daily Times,SALISBURY -- Dr. Robert Scherr, a speech language pathologist, recently received his sixth Award for Continuing Education from the American Speech-Language ...

New support group striving for some public awareness - Sep 20, 2006
Roseville Press Tribune,...childhood, as did Tiger Woods. Nancy Barcal is a speech-language pathologist whose specialty is stuttering. She is coordinating today's ...

Treatment can help softness of speech due to Parkinson's - Sep 21, 2006
Arizona Republic,...program. It should be administered by a speech-language pathologist who has been certified by the Lee Silverman Foundation. Those ...

Despite Foley scandal, ex-pages praise program - Oct 4, 2006
MarketWatchI came away with deep respect for some of the individuals that worked in the US Senate," said Desell-Lund, who is now a speech language pathologist in Vermont. ...






More information on Speech-language pathologists from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Overview of Speech-language pathologists occupation
Number of Speech-language pathologists in the U.S.
Salary and earnings for Speech-language pathologists
Working conditions for Speech-language pathologists
Significant points for Speech-language pathologists
Training requirements for Speech-language pathologists




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