The Importance of Speech-Language Pathologists

Have you ever wondered what the role of a speech-language pathologist entails? The scope of practice for speech-language pathology includes both the healthcare and education fields. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play an integral part in treating individuals with speech and language deficits caused by a variety of issues including developmental delays, genetic disorders, and neurological disorders. The field of speech-language pathology has a wide scope of practice, including the following domains: - Articulation/Phonology - Expressive/Receptive Language - Fluency - Cognition - Motor Speech - Social Pragmatic Communication - Augmentative/Alternative Communication - Hearing - Selective Mutism - Voice and Resonance - Feeding and Swallowing

Articulation/Phonology

Articulation refers to the oral motor movements needed to produce a particular sound. Articulation disorders impact motor planning and subsequent movement which can result in distortions of speech sounds. Phonology refers to patterns in which speech sounds are pronounced. SLPs play a significant role in providing treatment to those with articulation and phonology deficits by providing visual, verbal, and tactile feedback in order to produce speech sounds accurately. 

Expressive/Receptive Language

Expressive/Receptive Language is the output and input of language and communication. Expressive language is the ability to verbally communicate one’s thoughts using accurate vocabulary and grammar. This can be demonstrated through asking and answering questions, describing, and storytelling. Receptive language is the ability to understand spoken or written language. This can be demonstrated through following directions, responding to questions, and overall language comprehension. SLPs are imperative to working with individuals who have expressive/receptive language deficits or delays. 

Fluency

Fluency refers to the flow of speech production. Disfluent speech can be characterized by stuttering or cluttering events, which disrupt the flow of speech production. Stuttering includes syllable or whole word repetitions, prolongations, or blocks. Cluttering refers to rapid and disorganized speech. SLPs provide individuals who stutter or clutter with compensatory strategies to reduce their disfluent events as well as diminish physical concomitants that may be present during these disfluent events.

Cognition

Cognition is a crucial component needed to communicate effectively. Cognition includes domains such as memory, attention, problem-solving, executive functioning, and word retrieval. Cognitive deficits may result from brain injuries, strokes, or global delays. SLPs may treat individuals with cognitive deficits by working on memory skills, executing step by step processes, problem-solving, and maintaining attention to a task.

Motor Speech

Motor speech is the actions that muscles and articulators have to take in order to produce a speech sound. It involves coordination, control, and strength of mouth and throat muscles. Motor speech disorders affect an individual’s ability to plan and enact the motor movements necessary to produce fluent and controlled speech. Motor speech disorders include dysarthria and apraxia. SLPs focus on improving motor skills including breath support and control, muscle strength, and articulation techniques.

Social Pragmatic Communication

Social pragmatic communication refers to communication in context within the environment. It includes skills such as topic maintenance, recognizing and executing nonverbal cues, taking turns during conversation, and following social rules. SLPs implement strategies such as role playing, games, and providing feedback through therapy. Peer social groups are an effective way to work on pragmatic language skills.

Augmentative/Alternative Communication

 A multimodal approach to communication may be effective for those with communicative differences. This approach includes signing, pointing and using assistive technology and devices (AAC). This may or may not be accompanied by verbalizations. SLPs play an integral role in the teaching and implementation of multimodal strategies for both clients and caregivers, especially when a new augmentative device is used. SLPs are trained to incorporate a variety of communication modalities to maximize language acquisition and speech/language development.

Hearing Hearing loss affects both children and adults and can be acquired or congenital. SLPs’ role in treatment for hearing loss consists of assessing communication abilities, providing aural rehabilitation, and collaborating with audiologists to determine the best treatment approach. SLPs play a part in determining if verbal or multimodal communication will be more effective for each individual affected by hearing loss.

Selective Mutism

Selective Mutism is an anxiety disorder in which individuals experience difficulty when contributing to conversation or speaking during social interactions. SLPs create supportive environments and provide coping skills for those with selective mutism to engage effectively with others.

Voice and Resonance

Voice and resonance disorders are when the sound, pitch, loudness, and overall quality of voice is different from what is expected. These disorders may stem from physical or neurological deficits, inefficient use of anatomical structures, or psychogenic disorders. SLPs collaborate extensively with neurologists and otolaryngologists to determine the best treatment approach. Treatment focuses on improving vocal quality by providing exercises for and education about vocal hygiene and habits.

Feeding and Swallowing Feeding and swallowing disorders, or dysphagia, can affect an individual’s quality of life and health. Difficulty with feeding and swallowing can be caused by anatomical issues and/or sensory issues. SLPs support those with swallowing disorders by providing a safe space to explore foods of various temperatures and textures, and implementing strategies to effectively trial and consume foods. 

 The role of speech-language pathologists plays an important part in the quality of life for people who are afflicted by these disorders.