Who Are Speech-Language Pathologists, and What Do They Do?

SLPs work in schools, health care settings, and in private practice. They work on teams with other professionals to provide comprehensive care.

SLPs are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders, including:

• Speech sounds: Difficulty pronouncing sounds or words clearly.
• Language: Difficulty understanding written language; what’s said or signed; expressing thoughts and ideas; or using verbal, signed, or written language.
• Literacy: Difficulty with reading (sounding out and understanding words), writing, and/or spelling.
• Social communication: Difficulty understanding and using verbal and nonverbal communication appropriately in social situations.
• Voice: Problems with pitch, volume, or voice quality, such as hoarseness or loss of voice.
• Fluency: Disruptions in the flow of speech that may result in speaker discomfort and/or avoiding speaking. Fluency disorders include stuttering and cluttering.
• Cognitive communication: Difficulty with memory, attention, problem-solving, or other thinking skills.
• Feeding and swallowing: Challenges with eating and swallowing food or liquids. These difficulties are often called dysphagia.

SLPs can also provide:

• Hearing screening: A quick test to see how well you hear different sounds.
• Augmentative and alternative communication: Ways that people can communicate without speaking.

How to Find an SLP

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these communication and feeding/swallowing concerns, an SLP may be able to help. It’s important to find out if you or a loved one has a problem so that SLP services can start as soon as possible for the best possible results. Talk to your primary care provider for guidance. You can also locate a professional near you through the ASHA ProFind directory or through your local school.