Speech Language Pathology
Speech-Language Pathology is a healthcare field that specializes in improving a
client's verbal and nonverbal communication abilities. Children may have speech
and language delays as their only area of concern. However, they may also
experience delays related to other diagnoses including: autism, Down Syndrome,
cleft lip or palate, hearing impairment, developmental disorders, or other
congenital conditions.
Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) diagnose and treat a variety of speech,
language, voice, and swallowing challenges.They focus on the areas of:
* Speech (articulation of specific sounds)
*Language (auditory comprehension and verbal expression)
*Cognition
*Voice
*Swallowing
*Pragmatics (social language skills)
SLPs often target: the ability to express wants/thoughts/needs, understanding
verbal language, engaging appropriately with peers in social settings, and
targeting speech sound production to improve intelligibility of speech. To achieve
these goals: a total communication approach is used, involving any or all of the
following methods to promote communication including: verbal output, signing,
picture exchange communication system, and augmentative/alternative communication.