Frequently Asked Questions About SLPs

Speech-language pathologists are the experts who assist patients overcome communication disorders to lead productive lives. These experts can handle a broad range of developmental disorders, from traumatic brain injury in children to dementia.

While the term speech-language pathologists (SLP) might be confusing to many, this piece answers all the frequently asked questions about what these experts do.

So, what does an SLP do? Children who have challenges in language processing and communication are at a high risk of lagging in learning basic skills such as reading, writing, and socialization. Literacy skills are essential in determining success at school, work, and in social settings.

SLP therapists have a deep understanding of the anatomy involved in communication processes. This knowledge provides SLPs with a solid foundation to diagnose and treat language processing issues in kids and adults.

What role do SLPs play in a school setting?

Occupational therapists perform their duties in hospitals and outpatient clinics and are engaged in many pre-schools and elementary school settings. SLPs work closely with kids displaying language processing disorders to develop appropriate strategies to improve reading and writing literacy in school settings.

They are also actively involved in collecting patient information to monitor patient progress during the therapy treatment. Finally, these experts also engage in equipment maintenance to ensure that patients’ treatment plans proceed smoothly with minimal interruptions.

What are the qualifications for SLPs?

Speech-language pathologists are part of a broader group of experts in the field of communication sciences and disorders. To become accredited in the course, you will need to complete a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders (CSD). Additionally, you will need to complete a graduate degree in speech-language pathology.

After that, aspiring candidates should meet the requirements of the post-graduate fellowship program. The final requirement is to pass the national speech-language pathology examination before applying for a state license.

Can a school-based occupational therapist diagnose Autism?

SLPs are well placed in diagnosing, screening, and administering therapy to patients with Autism. Therefore, Speech pathologists can quickly identify kids with communication and socializing disorders to prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Can SLPs diagnose dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a condition characterized by reading difficulty, leading to delay in writing and reading in young children. Speech-language pathologists will assess the child’s reading and writing abilities and support such kids to boost their literacy skills. Apart from literacy assessment, SLPs can also intervene to assist adolescents and adults facing multiple developmental disorders.

Is parental consent required before screening by an SLP?

Screening is the process where a specialist assesses a patient to determine an appropriate treatment program for an underlying condition. The process is relatively simple and can be performed on large groups of kids. As a result, parental consent is unnecessary because screening does not lie under special evaluation or educational services classification.

Today, more schools are recognizing the importance of engaging SLPs in their education programs. More information on the roles and responsibilities of SLPs in solving language impairment issues is available on sites like SpeechPathologyGraduatePrograms.org.