The training to become a certified speech pathologist includes: There are multiple levels of education involved in learning the field of speech and language, followed by clinical training. What Training Do Speech Pathologists Need?īecoming a speech pathologist takes years of training. Providing aural rehabilitation for people with hearing loss.Working with clients' families to address daily challenges from communication or swallowing problems.Training clients in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems.Helping clients improve their ability to speak in sentences.Helping clients say and understand new words.Prescribing exercises to strengthen muscles used to speak or swallow.Teaching clients strategies to speak clearly and easily.

Some of the services speech pathologists offer include: Once they assess the cause of communication problems, they create a treatment plan that addresses the challenges an individual has. Some speech pathologists work with clients who have speech difficulties due to medical conditions such as stroke or injuries to the face and neck. Speech pathologists assist clients with hearing loss who are trying to improve verbal communication. They may work with clients who have speech delays and pronunciation problems. Speech pathologists perform comprehensive assessments to diagnose the reason for communication difficulties. That is one role speech pathologists play, but there are a variety of other therapies they provide. You may think of speech pathologists as people who work with children who have speech impairments, speech delays, or difficulty pronouncing words. Audiology is particularly helpful for speech pathologists who assist people with hearing loss. Audiology is a separate but related field that addresses hearing and balance issues. Some speech pathologists also have some training in audiology. A swallowing disorder such as dysphagia may co-occur with speech disorders.

Feeding and swallowing : The same physical structures of the mouth that allow speech also affect how you suck, chew, and swallow food and liquid.

This may include problems with memory, attention, problem-solving, organization, and other thinking skills.

Cognitive communication: How well your mind manages language, speech, and communication.

Fluency: How well spoken language flows.

Some people are unable to make some or all kinds of sounds. Some people may have conditions that lead to a hoarse voice, losing their voice easily, talking too loudly, or having a nasal voice. Speech and language disorders may be combined with challenges in reading, spelling, and writing.

Literacy: using language to read and write.

Difficulty finding words while speaking is called aphasia.

Language: How people comprehend written and spoken language, as well as using spoken language for communication.

Conditions that cause difficulty with making speech sounds include articulation or phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, or dysarthria.

Speech sounds: How people make sounds and put sounds together into words.

Speech pathologists are trained in multiple areas of speech and communication, including: Speech pathologists can also assess and treat swallowing disorders in children and adults. What Is a Speech Pathologist?Ī speech pathologist, or speech-language pathologist, is a trained professional who diagnoses and treats people who have difficulty with speech, language, social communication, and cognitive communication. Learn more about what a speech pathologist does and how to become a speech pathologist. They can help children with speech delays, adults recovering from illness or injury, or individuals with special needs. They work with people of all ages who need assistance speaking more clearly. Speech pathologists are experts in the physical and cognitive elements of spoken language. Speech pathology is a growing field for people who want to help others speak and communicate more effectively.

Speech pathologist schooling