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Frequently Asked Questions

• Introduction

  Most people think speech pathologists help individuals with a stutter or a lisp. And while this is true, speech pathologists do much more. For example, a speech-language pathologist helps people with voice disorders or problems with speaking or communicating. They also help adults who have suffered from a stroke and need help with developing and strengthening muscles to swallow.

  
  

  A speech-language pathologist is a highly educated professional who handles various tasks, including diagnosis, identifying treatment options, keeping and updating records, and counseling individuals and families. Speech and communication issues can be detrimental to a person’s confidence and quality of life. Working with a speech pathologist will produce noticeable results. However, patients should know that it often takes dedication and months of work to see those results.
  
  

• What is a speech pathologist?

  A speech pathologist, also known as a speech-language pathologist or a speech therapist, is a medical professional who helps people with communication, language, and swallowing disorders. Often, patients who see a speech pathologist will also see other specialists, such as psychologists, physical therapists, audiologists, or occupational therapists.
  

• What does a speech pathologist do?

  Speech pathologists analyze, diagnose, and treat people of all ages. They work with individuals to improve and solve speech, language, and swallowing disorders. They help people with speech sounds, literacy, social communication, voice, fluency, cognitive communication, feeding, and swallowing. Typically this work requires one-on-one sessions in which the patient repeats actions to retrain their body or brain.
  

• What is the difference between a speech therapist and a speech pathologist?

  There is no difference between a speech therapist and a speech pathologist. Today, most professionals in this sector prefer the title speech-language pathologist because it is more descriptive of the profession as a whole. Speech-language pathologists can treat speech problems, as well as issues around communication (i.e., language).
  

• How do speech pathologists help?

  A speech pathologist will examine a patient, diagnose their condition, and offer treatment. Communication is a vital part of our everyday lives. If a person has issues with speaking or understanding others, it can make daily life more challenging. Working with a speech pathologist can help individuals improve their communication skills so they can better express themselves and understand others.
  

• What is speech therapy for?

  Speech therapy can treat a wide ray of conditions, such as:
  

  • Fluency
  • Voice (hoarseness or abnormal pitch)
  • Articulation (slurring of speech, indistinct speech)
  • Aphasia
  • Language-based learning disabilities
  • Pragmatics (understanding social cues and rules around communication)
  • Swallowing disorder
  • Hearing loss
  • Language delays
  • Preliteracy and literacy skills

• Who gets speech therapy?

  Anyone with speech, language, communication, or swallowing disorders can benefit from speech therapy. A speech therapist will treat patients of all ages. For example, they treat babies and children for swallowing disorders and seniors who have suffered a stroke and have a speech impairment.