Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)

Before we start learning about what is a speech-language pathologist, it is more important to understand why they are required.

Speech disorders are something that can happen to anyone. They occur when a person is not able to make speech sounds properly or smoothly.   Speech disorders also include problems with the tone of voice or resonance. Language disorders happen when a person is having a hard time understanding others or sharing views, ideas, and feelings. This is why speech-language pathologists are highly in demand. It is essentially the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders connected to speech, language, voice, fluency and cognitive-communication (attention, memory or problem-solving disorders).  Speech-language pathologists also work with people who have difficulty in swallowing.

Additionally, duties of a speech-language pathologist are:

    • SLPs offer audio therapy for those who are hearing-impaired or hear slowly.

 

    • Provide intensive and unconventional communication (AAC) systems for patients with serious communicative and/or language understanding disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder or advancing neurological disorders.

 

    • Work with people who want to communicate more impressively like working on pronunciation, accent modification or other forms of communication improvement).

 

Essential Functions of Speech-Language Pathologists

In order to gain the information and skills vital to the practice of speech-language pathology to work in varied clinical settings, and to provide a wide range of patient care, SLPs must have skills and characteristics in areas like communication and sensory-observational. Most of the skills can be nurtured and augmented during the course of the program through assignments and experimental knowledge.

Communication

  • A SLPs must have sufficient communication skills to converse competently in both oral and written English

  • A person studying for SLP needs to have reading and writing skills necessary to meet academic and clinical demands. Though, this feature is normally inherent in most of the SLPs.

  • Distinguish and exhibit suitable non-verbal communication for culture and context.

  • He/she should be able to adapt as per the needed communication style to meet the corresponding needs of clients and other persons served.

  • Communicate proficiently and logically with patients, contemporaries, other healthcare experts, and a group of people or professional groups.

  • Communicate efficiently, successfully, and fairly on patient certification, reports, and scholarly papers requisite as a part of course work and professional practice.

  • Express information precisely with significance and cultural understanding.

Sensory or Observational

Speech-language pathologist has plenty sensory skills of vision, hearing and smell.

  • SLP’s can classify the need for substitute modes of communication. They can visualize and recognize anatomic structures.

  • Imagine and differentiate imaging findings.

  • Categorize text, numbers, tables, and graphs linked with the diagnostic tool and tests. Be familiar with when a patient’s family does or does not comprehend the clinician’s written and or spoken communication.

Motor

  • A speech-language pathologist is required to have motor skills to continue with required physical activity in the classroom and clinical movement.

  • SLP’s react swiftly to offer a safe setting for clients in crisis situations like fire, choking etc.

  • Access transport to clinical and educational placements

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