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Speech Language Pathology:Background and Nature

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What is Speech-Language Pathology?

• It is an allied medical field that is engaged in thehabilitation and rehabilitation of individuals whohas speech and communication disorders

• It includes disorders of voice, fluency, articulation,hearing, language, feeding and swallowing whichcovers services for both pediatric and geriatricpopulation.

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SLPs are professionals trained in the ff:

• Identification of communication,swallowing and oralfunction disorders;

•

Provision of habilitation/rehabilitationservices appropriate tothe problems identified

• Making referrals tomedical and other professional servicesnecessary for rehabilitation

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Nature of the Work

Working with the full rangeof human communicationand its disorders, SLPs:

• Evaluate and diagnosespeech, language,cognitive-communicationand swallowing disorders.

• Treat speech, language,cognitive-communicationand swallowing disordersin individuals of all ages,from infants to the elderly.

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Speech-Language Pathologists may:

• Teach the patient to improvetheir speech through specificexercises or use of specialized equipment or

alternative communicationmethods such as signlanguage or computers.

• Collaborate in the assessmentof central auditory processingdisorders and providingintervention where there isevidence of speech, language,and/or other cognitivecommunication disorders.

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• Educate and counselindividuals, families, co-

workers, educators, and other persons in the communityregarding acceptance,adaptation, and decisionmaking about communication,

swallowing, or other upper aerodigestive concerns.

• Provide services to individualswith hearing loss and their families/caregivers. (e.g.,auditory training; speechreading; speech and languageintervention secondary tohearing loss)

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Work PlaceThe practice and work of speech-language pathologists may take place

in various settings:

• Public and private schools• Hospitals• Rehabilitation centers• Nursing care facilities• Community clinics• Colleges and universities• Private practice• State and local health departments• State and federal government agencies• Research Laboratories• Home health agencies (home care)• Adult day care centers• Centers for persons with developmental disabilities

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Speech-Language Pathologists work with: • people who cannot make speech

sounds, or cannot make them clearly;• those with speech rhythm and fluency

problems, such as stuttering;• people with voice quality problems,

such as inappropriate pitch or harsh

voice;• people who have problems

understanding and producinglanguage;

• those who wish to improve their

communication skills by modifying anaccent;• those with cognitive communication

impairments, such as attention,memory, and problem solvingdisorders;

• people who have oral motor problems