Speech-language pathology is the pathology (science) of speech and language. It falls under the communication sciences and
disorders discipline, which also include the closely aligned-but separate-study of audiology.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication,
cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. These highly trained clinicians work as part of a
collaborative, interdisciplinary team of professionals, which includes Otolaryngologist, Neurologist, Paediatrician, Physical therapists,
Occupational therapists, Social workers, Teachers, Physicians, Audiologists, and Psychologists, among others.
Speech-language pathology is focused on a range of human communication and swallowing disorders affecting people of all ages. The practice of speech-language pathology includes:
− Developing and implementing treat plans based on their professional assessment and recommendation from members of the
interdisciplinary team
− Monitoring their patients’ progress and adjusting their treatment plans accordingly
− Documenting patient care and writing reports regarding patient evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge
− Ordering, conducting, and evaluating hearing, speech, and language tests and examinations
− Educating patients and family members on treatment plans, communication techniques, and strategies for coping with
speech/language barriers
− Designing, developing, and employing diagnostic and communication devices or strategies
− Developing and implementing speech and language programs
Though a majority of speech-language pathologists are involved in direct patient care, these professionals also fulfil a number of other roles in areas such as:
- Advocacy
- Research
- Program coordination and administration
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Product development and evaluation
- Consultation
According to The Speech – Language – Hearing Association, the following disorders fall under the umbrella of speech language pathology:
− Speech disorders occur when a person has difficulty producing speech sounds correctly or fluently (e.g., stuttering is a form of
disfluency) or has problems with his or her voice or resonance
− Language disorders occur when a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and
feelings (expressive language). Language disorders may be spoken or written and may involve the form (phonology, morphology,
syntax), content (semantics), and/or use (pragmatics) of language in functional and socially appropriate ways.
− Social communication disorders occur when a person has trouble with the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication.
These disorders may include problems;
- Communicating for social purposes (e.g., greeting, commenting, asking questions),
- Talking in different ways to suit the listener and setting, and
- Following rules for conversation and story-telling.
All individuals with autism spectrum disorder have social communication problems. Social communication disorders are also found individuals with other conditions, such as traumatic brain injury.
− Cognitive-communication disorders include problems organizing thoughts, paying attention, remembering, planning, and/or
problem-solving. These disorders usually happen as a result of a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or dementia, although they can
be congenital.
−Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) are feeding and swallowing difficulties, which may follow an illness, surgery, stroke, or injury.
Additionally, SLPs:
− Provide aural rehabilitation for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
− Provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems for individuals with severe expressive and/or language
comprehension disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder or progressive neurological disorders.
− Work with people who don't have speech, language, or swallowing disorders, but want to learn how to communicate more
effectively (e.g., work on accent modification or other forms of communication enhancement).
Speech-Language Pathology: The Synthesis of Two Fields of Study
Language differs from speech, which is why speech-language pathology is actually the study of two fields.
Speech is the verbal means of communication. It consists of Articulation, Voice and Fluency
− Articulation: How speech sounds are made
− Voice: The use of breathing and vocal cords to produce sounds
− Fluency: The rhythm of speech
Speech problems often occur because a person has difficulty producing sounds due to the incorrect movement of the lips, tongue, and mouth. Speech problems include:
Childhood speech apraxia: Neurological childhood speech sound disorder resulting from neuromuscular difficulties, such as
abnormal reflexes or abnormal tone
Adult speech apraxia: Speech disorder caused by neuromuscular difficulties, such as abnormal reflexes or abnormal tone; usually
as a result of stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia, or other progressive neurological disorders
Dysarthria: Impaired movement of the muscles used for speech production, including the vocal cords, tongue, lips, and/or
diaphragm
Stuttering: Involuntary repetition of sounds
Speech sound disorders: Includes articulation and phonological processes difficulties
Orofacial myofunctional disorders: Tongue moves forward in an exaggerated way during speech or swallowing (called tongue
thrusts)
Voice disorders: Includes vocal cord nodules and polyps, vocal cord paralysis, spasmodic dysphonia, and paradoxical vocal fold
movement
Language consists of socially shared rules that include how to put words together, how to make new words, what words mean, and what word combinations are best in what situations. Language disorders include:
Difficulty understanding others: receptive language disorder
Difficulty sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings: expressive language disorder
Although speech and language disorders can occur by themselves, they often exist together, which is why speech-language pathology is a combined field of study.
Speech and language disorders are often a result of medical conditions, such as:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Dementia
- Huntington’s Disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Laryngeal and oral cancers
- Right hemisphere brain injury
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
Speech and language disorders are often a result of medical conditions, such as:
- Autism Spectrum disorder
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Syndromes, such as Down’s syndrome and Fragile X syndrome
- Cerebral palsy
- Failure to thrive
- Low birth weight or premature birth
- Hearing loss
- Intellectual disabilities
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
- Stroke/brain injury
- Tumors
- Cleft lip/palate