What is the role of the Speech- Language Pathologist?
Speech-Language Pathologists (sometimes called Speech Therapists,) assess, diagnose, and treat disorders related to speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, swallowing and fluency. They also work to prevent these disorders as well. Speech Language Pathologists develop an individual plan of care tailored to each persons needs and this treatment may be individual or group. Speech-Language Pathologists are an important member of a collaborative team when addressing the needs of a child with developmental disabilities. What is Speech-Language Therapy? Speech and language therapy is the treatment provided to children/adults to facilitate all these aspects of communication (such as language, articulation, fluency, voice, pragmatic language and swallowing) and to maximize a persons ability to communicate. Speech and language therapy should be provided by a state licensed and ASHA certified speech language pathologist or speech-language therapist. (American Speech and Hearing Associat
