Speech Pathology, usually called SLP (Speech and Language Pathology) represents the medical branch that has as subject the study and treatment of disorders that cause difficulty in the cognitive communication associated with speech and language. A Speech and Language Pathology Therapist is a specialist that deals with its patients language and vocal production, swallowing difficulties and speech fluency disorders like stuttering through private practice and in various health establishments like hospitals and schools..

The main object of speech pathology is communication, referring to fluency, intensity, resonance, intonation, rate as speech , to syntax, semantics, morphology and phonology as language.The other aspects of communication are reading and writing, body language and facial expression.. Speech pathology referrs also at the pharyngeal and oral aspects of swallowing, not including the oeshophageal side, which is mainly a digestive system issue..

There is a wide range of therapies in speech and language pathology, including physical exercise and practice, use of methods that target the improvement of communication, using various visual and audio devices and means..
Speech and language therapy means assessment, diagnosis, treatment, intervention and follow-up services provided by the speech therapist for the associated disorders. It also signifies establishing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) techniques and strategies including developing, selecting, and prescribing of such systems and devices (e.g., speech generating devices.)
The duties of a speech pathologist include treating disorders in individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly; performing swallowing and feeding evaluation; identifying normal and abnormal swallowing anatomy and physiology; developing treatment plans; providing treatments and documenting the progress; providing teaching and counseling to individuals and their families; providing differential diagnostic information for conditions other than communication disorders; educating other professionals on the needs of individuals with swallowing and feeding disorders; serving as an advocate for persons with impaired communication. Usually older persons are unable to travel to the speech therapists, so speech pathologists must be prepared to go to a variety of community sites to perform the required screenings.

A qualified SLT has to:
- Examine, consult and diagnose eventual communication disorderas, as well as assist in the diagnose of other ilnesses and conditions.
- Treat all adressed speech pathology related concerns using vary service delivery models.
- Analyze and initiate study and research on specific themes related to speech, language swallowing and SLP.
- Educate, supervise, and mentor future speech-language pathologists.
- Coordinate service programs and manage cases.
- Get involved in running academic studies and programs.
- Offer training to family, individual, co-workers, maintainers and other involved persons.
- Evaluate and register data and results for aanalysis of the efectiveness for clinical decision making according with practice principles.
- Train, supervise, and manage speech-language pathology assistants and other support personnel.
- Promote healthy lifestyle practices for the prevention of communication, hearing, swallowing, or other upper aerodigestive disorders

Filed under: Speech Pathology

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