Speech and Language Pathology, what's that? It deals with lots of issues while using lots of materials including therapy materials and plain 'ole board games.
I used to think that "speech teachers" as we called them in elementary school, only helped children to say sounds correctly. As an adult, I knew that there was probably more to it than that but what?
A speech and language pathologist evaluates, diagnoses and treats lots of different communication disorders.
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- Auditory Processing disorders
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- Pragmatic Language Disorders
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- English language learners (or ELL)
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- Feeding and swallowing disorders
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- Hearing loss and Cochlear implants
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- Speech Muscle Weakness (also known as Dysarthria)
- Sensory Integration Disorder
- Voice Disorders
- A laryngectomy
- Accent Reduction
- Alternative and Augmentative Communication
- Non-verbal communication
As I look at this list, some are actual speech disorders and difficulties. The rest would fall into language and communication disorders and challenges. It's a lot more than making speech sounds correctly. It is all about helping children and adults be the best communicators that they can be, despite any communication challenges they might have. Some things are speech related. Some are hearing related. Some are how communication affects social skills. Some are about giving children who have limited abilities communicating a "voice" using technology and visuals. Another aspect is taking knowledge in speech and listening and applying it to work with the other sensory systems. As I look at this discipline, the professions have the ability to help lots of people with a wide variety of disabilities.
Next week, we'll look at some of these communication disabilities a little more closely to see how a professional might help different people.
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