A Speech-Language Pathologist can treat THAT???

Here's the 3rd installment for Better Hearing and Speech Month!

Speech-language pathologists can diagnose and treat a variety of speech and language disorders among children and adults (e.g., stuttering, voice disorders, articulation, language delays, etc.).  My practice happens to specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric speech sound disorders, including articulation, phonological disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, and other motor speech deficits.  But, there are 3 lesser known areas in addition to speech and language that many SLPs assess and treat...

1. Feeding and Swallowing...  yup!  We assess and treat all phases of swallowing. In fact, when I was working in the acute rehab setting, patients with dysphagia (swallowing disorders) were about 80% of my caseload.  There are also SLPs who specialize in the treatment of atypical eating among infants and children (e.g., food selectivity/refusal, negative physiologic response, etc.).

2. Cognition... SLPs frequently address attention, memory, problem-solving, and executive functioning in many different settings, such as hospitals, skilled nursing care facilities, private practices, schools, and even in patients' homes, 

3. Literacy... reading, writing, and spelling are a vital part of language, and are areas in which many SLPs choose to specialize.  We often think of "language" in terms of primarily spoken language, but written language is a logical and crucial extension of language development. 

Click here for more information about the SLP's Scope of Practice.

Happy Better Hearing and Speech Month!  #BHSM17
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