Speech-language pathologist (speech therapist)

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Speech-language pathologist (speech therapist)

Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help prevent speech, language, and communication disorders.

Speech-language pathologists work with people who cannot make speech sounds or cannot make them clearly; have speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering; have voice quality problems, such as an inappropriate pitch or harsh voice; have problems understanding and producing language; have cognitive communication problems, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving disorders; or have oral motor problems that cause eating and swallowing difficulties. Speech pathologists work in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, schools, and private practices.

A speech-language pathologist has a master's degree in speech and language and has completed postgraduate clinical work under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist. Speech-language pathologists can acquire the certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology (CCC-SLP) offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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