For most of us, speech and language come naturally and fluidly. Others are born with speech or language disorders, or acquire them through illness or injury, and have difficulty communicating effectively or easily. But many of those are able to manage, overcome, and even eliminate their communication difficulties with the help of speech-language pathologists. Whether in schools, skilled nursing facilities, or clinical settings, speech-language pathologists help restore confidence and significantly improve lives. Read on for more information about speech-language pathologists and what they do.

What is speech-language pathology?

Speech-language pathology (often shortened to “speech therapy”) is the science of speech and language, which means it’s actually the study of two separate fields. Speech and language do go hand-in-hand, but they are not the same thing. Speech is a verbal means of communication, and speech disorders involve difficulty producing sounds or speaking fluently.  Language is what we speak, read, write, and understand, and it includes the structures and meanings we rely on to communicate effectively, such as the order of words in a sentence and the meanings of words. Language disorders involve difficulties with understanding others or expressing thoughts and feelings, and can be either spoken or written. In addition to these, other types of disorders that speech-language pathology encompasses include social-communication disorders, cognitive-communicative disorders, and swallowing disorders. 

What do speech-language pathologists do?

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs or speech therapists) specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a range of speech and language disorders in both adults and children. They have a minimum of a master’s degree in their field, and their schooling involves the study of anatomy, physiology, neuroanatomy, human and language development, linguistics, psychology, and acoustics. The training speech therapists receive qualifies them to identify and treat a number of different disorders that affect the ability to communicate in children and adults. After their initial degree and certification in speech-language pathology, many speech therapists go on to achieve further certifications to specialize in one of four fields: child language disorders, fluency disorders, swallowing disorders, or audiology (the study of hearing). 

Speech therapists work in a number of different settings, including:

• Schools, colleges, and universities

• Acute care, psychiatric, and rehabilitation hospitals

• Skilled nursing and assisted living facilities

• Clinics and doctor’s offices 

• Private practices

• Corporate offices

• Other settings

The particular job duties vary by setting and can be quite specific or broad in scope. But in general, speech-language pathologists can and do perform any combination of the following:

• Screen for problems with communication or swallowing

• Formally and informally assess communication or swallowing

• Diagnose a wide range of disorders and delays, including:

  • Articulation disorders

  • Fluency disorders

  • Voice resonance disorders

  • Receptive language disorders

  • Expressive language disorders

  • Swallowing and feeding disorders

  • Cognitive-communicative disorders

  • Aphasia 

  • Dysarthria

• Identify treatment options

• Create and execute customized treatment plans designed to restore function and improve communication

• Provide education and counseling for individuals and their families regarding speech and language disorders

Many speech-language pathologists go on to become certified and specialize in a particular area of the field, such as neurogenic communication, bilingualism, hearing science, autism, and neonatal feeding. Their daily tasks and duties may then become more narrow in scope, depending on the setting and the population they serve. Some speech language pathologists practice in corporate and entertainment industries, working with clients to improve public speaking and reduce or eliminate unwanted accents—or even enhance them.

Speech-language pathology in a skilled nursing facility

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), 4.1% of the speech-language pathologists employed in California work in skilled nursing facilities.   While an SLP employed in a school setting will often treat students with literacy, stuttering, and articulation problems, an SLP employed in a nursing home is more likely to treat patients who are having trouble with memory and problem-solving, oral motor skills, cognition, and swallowing function. In the skilled nursing setting, patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s, stroke, and other conditions benefit from speech-language pathology services. Many of these conditions result in communication difficulties, and speech therapy can dramatically improve their quality of life by improving their ability to communicate their needs effectively and engage in relationships with others. 

Speech therapy services at Bella Vista Health Center

At Bella Vista Health Center, our speech-language pathologists are highly skilled and compassionate providers who specialize in speech therapy for stroke rehabilitation, and speech therapy for dementia and Alzheimers, and speech therapy for Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases. Our speech therapy programs involve customized treatment plans designed to help each individual maximize their ability to communicate and optimize their quality of life. For more information on our speech therapy services or to schedule a tour of our 5-star skilled nursing facility in Lemon Grove, give us a call at 619-544-1000 today. 

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