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What is a Speech-Language Pathologist?

What Is a Speech-Language Pathologist? By Susie S. Loraine, M.A., CCC-SLP 
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) is a highly-trained professional who evaluates and treats children and adults who have difficulty with speech or language. Although people often think of speech and language as the same thing, the terms actually have very different meanings. If your child has trouble with speech, he/ she struggles with the “how-to” of talking—the coordination of the muscles and movements necessary to produce speech. If your child has trouble with language, he/she struggles with understanding what he/she hears or sees. Your child may struggle to find the right words and/or organize those words in a meaningful way to communicate a message or hold a conversation.  An SLP also evaluates and treats children and adults who have difficulty swallowing food or liquid. An SLP will help identify what part of the swallowing process is making it difficult for your child to eat (e.g., chewing, manipulating food with the tongue, coordinating mouth and throat structures and muscles, breathing appropriately while eating). 
 

Below is a list of common speech and language disorders with a brief explanation of each.
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 

  • Cluttering

Voice: ​

  • Problems with the way the voice sounds, such as hoarseness

Language Disorders:

  • Receptive Language - difficulty understanding language

  • Expressive Language - difficulty using language

  •  Pragmatic Language - social communication; the way we speak to each other 

Other Disorders:

  • Deafness/Hearing Loss - loss of hearing; therapy includes developing lip-reading, speech, and/or alternative communication systems

  • Oral-Motor Disorders - weak tongue and/or lip muscles

  • Swallowing/Feeding Disorders - difficulty chewing and/or swallowing

 

What Do SLPs Treat? 
© 2008 Super Duper® Publications • www.superduperinc.com 
 
You can find SLPs in many different settings including schools, private clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and public health agencies. In addition to these more common settings, you will find SLPs at universities, state and federal government agencies, health departments, and research laboratories. Some SLPs specialize in working with children, some with adults. If you suspect your child has problems with speech, language, and/or swallowing, you will need to choose the setting that will be most appropriate for your child. 
 
 
If you are looking for an SLP for your child, it is important to locate a certified pediatric speech-language pathologist. The term certified means that the American SpeechLanguage-Hearing Association (ASHA) has given the SLP a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) stating that he/she is skilled in providing therapy for speech and language disorders. You will know the SLP is certified if you see CCC in his/her credentials. Pediatric means the SLP specializes in working with children—this is important because testing techniques and treatment techniques are different for children and adults.  There are several ways to find an SLP if you are concerned about your child's communication skills. Your school/school district should have a certified SLP that can observe and/or test your child for speech and language difficulties. Your local children's hospital will also have certified SLPs on staff. You will find them in departments such as the Department of Hearing and Speech, Clinic for Communication Disorders, or Developmental Clinic. Your family practitioner can also recommend an SLP. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) provides a search engine to help you find a local, certified SLP in your area: http://www.asha.org/findpro/
 
 
The first visit to an SLP includes an evaluation. This evaluation typically consists of two or more standardized tests—tests that give the SLP the ability to compare your child’s skills to children of the same age. The SLP will ask you questions about your child’s medical and developmental history. Be prepared to share information about your child’s communication milestones. For example, you should know when your child said his/her first words, what kinds of gestures he/she uses to communicate, whether he/she likes to communicate socially or solely when he/ she wants something, etc. Refer to Handy Handout® #69,  Speech-Language-Hearing Case History Form (http://www.superduperinc.com/ handouts/pdfs/69_Speechcase_bk.pdf), to help you brainstorm and organize the information an SLP may ask you as part of your child’s medical and developmental history. Research shows that early intervention for children with speech/language problems can result in less time in therapy. 
Where Do SLPs Work? 
How Do I Find an SLP? 
What Should I Expect at My Child’s First Appointment? 
© 2008 Super Duper® Publications • www.superduperinc.com 
What Questions Should I Ask the SLP? 
 
The SLP will ask you questions about your child’s history during the evaluation. There are questions you may want to ask the SLP before and/or during your child’s appointment. 
Prior to the Appointment • What age group do you work with? • What age and specific area (autism, fluency, deafness, early intervention, etc.) are your specialties? • How quickly can you see my child, and what are methods of payment/funding? • After the evaluation, is there a waiting list for treatment? 

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