“Wait, why do I need speech therapy? I talk fine…”

Discover what a Speech-Language Pathologist can do for you.

By Danielle Kealy, M.S., CCC-SLP

Updated January 1st, 2023

Introduction / Language / Speech

Cognition / Swallowing / Voice / Conclusion

Introduction

When I first began exploring Speech-Language Pathology as a possible career choice, I was surprised to learn how many different areas these professionals are trained in. I had remembered someone called a “speech teacher” when I was in elementary school, but I had no idea that this “speech teacher” was also educated in how to help people with dementia compensate for their memory loss and to teach swallowing rehabilitation exercises to people who have suffered a stroke.

Now, as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), I am still amazed every day at the breadth of our field. I am constantly discovering what I did not already know and have come to accept that I will never reach the end of this learning. You might know that Speech-Language Pathologists are also referred to as Speech Therapists. The terms are interchangeable, but in my opinion, neither of these titles fully conveys the variety of conditions that we can work with; it’s much more than speech. Below is a list of just some of the areas that SLPs can practice in. I kept the descriptions in this list adult focused but remember that many SLPs also work in pediatrics.

Language

Often after a stroke, but sometimes as a process of dementia or any type of injury to the brain, adults can lose their ability to understand and use language. This condition is called aphasia. SLPs are trained to help persons with aphasia recover and compensate for this loss of language.

Speech

Again, after a stroke or other brain injury, adults can lose their ability to articulate and connect speech sounds. SLPs can help adults regain these skills and supplement with other means of communication like written language, gestures, and speech generating devices.

Cognition

SLPs can offer exercises and strategies to help adults improve or compensate for lost cognitive skills. These thinking skills include attention, memory, and problem solving. Cognitive skills may be impaired after an acute brain injury, such as a stroke or traumatic brain injury. These also may decline as a process of dementia.

Swallowing

When there is weakness in the muscles used for swallowing and/or decreased sensation in those areas, SLPs can recommend a safe method of nutrition. SLPs may also teach swallowing rehabilitation exercises to help improve swallow function by strengthening those muscles.

Voice

Voice disorders have causes including unhealthy voice use, head/neck cancer, a brain injury, or as a process of aging. SLPs can help with management and use of prosthetic devices for people who can’t use their vocal cords, including those who have had their larynx removed. SLPs can also instruct on rehabilitative exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles used for voicing and breath support.

Conclusion

I am excited to make this general introduction to speech-language pathology. The list is not nearly comprehensive, but it might act as a good starting point. SLPs deal directly with the movement of head, neck, and throat muscles used for swallowing, voicing, speaking, and breathing. We sometimes help patients with cognitive deficits to recall safe movement strategies, like using a walker or completing a home exercise program. These are just a few ways that SLPs are involved in movement, too! In a field with never-ending opportunities for learning, I can’t wait to share more through Peak Movement Health as I continue to study and experience the work of an SLP. To learn more about me and my background, CLICK HERE.

DISCLAIMER

Last updated April 24, 2022

WEBSITE DISCLAIMER

The information provided by Peak Movement Health ("we," "us", or "our") on peakmovementhealth.com (the "Site") and our mobile application is for

general informational purposes only. All information on the Site and our mobile application is provided in good faith, however we make no

representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy; adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the Site or our mobile application. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE SITE OR OUR MOBILE APPLICATION OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE SITE AND OUR MOBILE APPLICATION. YOUR USE OF THE SITE AND OUR MOBILE APPLICATION AND

YOUR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION ON THE SITE AND OUR MOBILE APPLICATION IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

EXTERNAL LINKS DISCLAIMER

The Site and our mobile application may contain (or you may be sent through the Site or our mobile application) links to other websites or content belonging to or originating from third parties or links to websites and features in banners or other advertising. Such external links are not investigated, monitored, or checked for accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness by us. WE DO NOT WARRANT, ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY INFORMATION OFFERED BY THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES LINKED THROUGH THE SITE OR ANY WEBSITE OR FEATURE LINKED IN ANY BANNER OR OTHER ADVERTISING. WE WILL NOT BE A PARTY TO OR IN ANY WAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING ANY TRANSACTION BETWEEN YOU AND THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS

OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.

PROFESSIONAL DISCLAIMER

The Site cannot and does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to

consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of medical/health advice. THE USE OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION

CONTAINED ON THE SITE OR OUR MOBILE APPLICATION IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

AFFILIATES DISCLAIMER

The Site and our mobile application may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links.

TESTIMONIALS DISCLAIMER

The Site may contain testimonials by users of our products and/or services. These testimonials reflect the real-life experiences and opinions of suchusers. However, the experiences are personal to those particular users, and may not necessarily be representative of all users of our products and/or

services. We do not claim, and you should not assume, that all users will have the same experiences. YOUR INDIVIDUAL RESULTS MAY VARY.

The testimonials on the Site are submitted in various forms such as text, audio and/or video, and are reviewed by us before being posted. They appear on the Site verbatim as given by the users, except for the correction of grammar or typing errors. Some testimonials may have been shortened for the

sake of brevity where the full testimonial contained extraneous information not relevant to the general public.

The views and opinions contained in the testimonials belong solely to the individual user and do not reflect our views and opinions. We are not affiliated with users who provide testimonials, and users are not paid or otherwise compensated for their testimonials.

The testimonials on the Site are not intended, nor should they be construed, as claims that our products and/or services can be used to diagnose, treat,

mitigate, cure, prevent or otherwise be used for any disease or medical condition. No testimonials have been clinically proven or evaluated.

Disclaimer created using Termly.