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While many people can benefit from speech-language pathology services, the full scope of this field is often underestimated. This blog post will explore what exactly speech-language pathology is and what Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) do. It’ll also touch on who can benefit from these services and where you to find them.
What is Speech Language Pathology?
Speech language pathology, also known as speech therapy, is a rehabilitative healthcare profession focused on identifying, assessing, and treating communication and swallowing disorders.
What Do Speech Pathologists Do?
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) work with people of all ages to improve their ability to communicate effectively and safely eat and drink. Their work covers several key areas:
Speech sounds and articulation
SLPs help individuals produce sounds correctly and combine them in to words. This can be particularly helpful for those who may have articulation disorders. These disorders can make it difficult to move the tongue, lips, or jaw in specific ways.
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Fluency
For those who may stutter or experience interruptions in speech flow, SLPs provide strategies to enhance smooth communication and confidence when speaking. This helps clients find the right words and organize their thoughts effectively to speak in full sentences.
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Language development and comprehension
Speech-Language Pathologists also support clients in understanding spoken and written language to express their thoughts clearly. This includes working on spelling, expanding vocabulary, improving sentence structure, and strengthening reading and writing skills (literacy).
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Voice and resonance
SLPs can also help clients with how their voice sounds. For example, if a person’s voice sounds hoarse, strained, or overly nasal, a Speech-Language Pathologist can assess vocal quality and teach techniques for healthy voice use and better control of pitch, tone, and volume.
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Social communication (pragmatics)
Effective communication goes beyond words. In this way, SLPs can help individuals navigate social norms, such as taking turns when speaking with others, how far away to stand to a conversational partner, interpreting tone and body language, and adjusting speech depending on the listener or setting.
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Feeding and swallowing
Alongside communication, SLPs also evaluate and treat difficulties related to chewing, swallowing, or sucking. These can be common challenges for infants, individuals recovering from illness or injury, and older adults.
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Speech-Language Pathologists can also create supports or develop alternative means of communication in everyday environments so people can communicate successfully, even non-verbal clients. They may also coach families, caregivers, and others to help the client succeed.
Who Can Benefit from Speech Therapy?
While many people may think speech pathologists primarily treat children, they can help anyone who may have a developmental disorder, neurological condition, or injury that prevents effective communication and/or the ability to consume food or drinks safely. In this way, there are many people who can benefit from speech-language pathology interventions.
For example, SLPs may work with parents and their young infant who has difficulties with breastfeeding. Whether this is due to issues like latching, positioning, or infant swallowing, etc., a speech pathologist can help.
Many children who have trouble talking or understanding what’s being communicated to them can also benefit from speech pathology services. While it is true that children may “outgrow” a lisp, stutter, or other communication difficulties, it can still be very valuable to speak with a healthcare professional such as a Speech Language Pathologists if you have speech-related concerns.
Adults who have suffered from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), such as a stroke, and sustained communication and/or swallowing issues may also seek out the assistance of a speech pathologist. Additionally, those who may have developed degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s can also benefit from speech and/or swallowing assistance.
In general, anyone who wants to enhance their communication skills can benefit from speech therapy. Whether you want to improve pronunciation, clarity, or public speaking confidence, a SLP can help.
How To Access Speech Pathology Services
Speech-Language Pathologists work in a variety of settings like hospitals, schools, colleges and universities. They also work in rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, and some community medical clinics.
At McKinney Psychology, we offer speech-language pathology services to help clients of all ages address a range of speech, language, and swallowing concerns. If you’d like more information, please contact our office. To book an initial consultation for speech-language pathology services, click “Book An Appointment” in the top right corner of this page.