Speech Pathologist
A speech pathologist, also known as a speech-language pathologist, is a highly trained professional who evaluate, diagnose and treat patients that have communication disabilities. They help individuals prevent or overcome communication problems such as articulation, impaired language, stuttering, slurring or lisps. People with swallowing disorders, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities, benefit from working with speech pathologists. When a person suffers a major trauma or stroke, they often lose their ability to communicate and speak, so they have a speech-language pathologist work with them.
They use many therapeutic methods to help people overcome speech problems, such as group therapy, individual or one-on-one therapy or family therapy sessions and tailor them to meet each person's individual needs. A speech pathologist employs pictures, sign language, sound analyzers, books, toys, multimedia computer programs and automated devices, along with working on pronunciation and sounds, to help people become understood and more confident. Some work with celebrities or people with heavy accents and help them with their enunciation, accentuation and proper pronunciation.
A speech pathologist often works on a team or with other health professionals such as physicians, audiologists, social workers, teachers, psychologists, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Family doctors, infant development specialists, pre-school or schoolteachers, public health nurses and medical specialists refer people to speech pathologists. Some work in private practice, while others choose to work in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, medical centers or private healthcare facilities. Helping people to understand their speech problems and assisting them to deal with and improve is extremely rewarding.
Common work activities include:
- Meeting with clients to assess their current speech problems. This is completed through various tests and speech exercises.
- Developing treatment plans based on the information from testing and from other medical professionals that work with the patient.
- Teaching the patient to improve their speech through specific exercises or use of specialized equipment or alternative communication methods such as sign language or computers.
- Attending treatment team meetings to ensure that all aspects of patient health and progress are being management appropriately.
- Maintaining all records, notes and charts regarding patient treatments.
- Attending trainings and professional development activities to stay current with treatment options.
Programs related to Speech Pathologist careers
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