What Life Care Planners Need to Know About the Professional Discipline of Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-Language Pathologists’(SLPS) professional responsibilities include prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of communication disorders with individuals ranging in age from infancy through geriatrics. Professional practice environments include different research, education and health care settings with varying roles and client populations. Speech language pathologists evaluate and/or treat individuals with cognitive-communication disorders, social communication disorders, speech sound disorders, receptive/expressive/pragmatic language disorders, swallowing impairments, as well as hearing and voice disorders. Speech language pathologists provide communication intervention, working as part of a collaborative, transdisciplinary team in medical and educational settings, including counseling and education to family and caregivers. Many SLPs engage in evidence-based research to provide new assessment and treatment methods as well as training and educating future SLPs.