As a Speech and Language Pathologist, the “scope of practice” is very large. The American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) lays out a list of areas that a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) may address, but they are quick to point out the list, although extensive is not comprehensive. Check out this list taken from ASHA below, along with my comments! Do any areas surprise you? Most people are taken aback by the “feeding” role SLP’s work on.
SLP’s Scope of Practice Areas:
- Fluency – also known as “stuttering”
- Speech Production – Includes motor planning which is the plan from the brain to the mouth to make the sounds, and articulation which is producing specific sounds.
- Language- Spoken and written language (listening, processing, speaking, reading, writing, pragmatics which is language use and social aspects of communication, Prelinguistic communication (e.g., joint attention, intentionality, communicative signaling), Paralinguistic communication (e.g., gestures, signs, body language), and Literacy skills such as reading, writing, spelling.)
- Cognition – which includes attention, memory, problem solving, and executive functioning
- Voice – from actors and singers to teachers and newscasters, these professionals who use their voice often seek out an SLP for help.
- Feeding and Swallowing –babies in the NICU to elderly in a nursing home, SLP’s can help!
- Auditory Habilitation/Rehabilitation - Speech, language, communication, and listening skills impacted by hearing loss, deafness as well as auditory processing
You may notice your child is hard to understand, has difficulty expressing his needs/wants, or even refuses to eat the majority of foods you put in front of them. An SLP may be a professional who can enrich your child’s life, and give them the voice they deserve!
