What is a Speech-Language Pathologist?
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) is defined as the professional who engages in professional practice in the areas of communication and swallowing across the life span. Communication and swallowing are broad terms encompassing many facets of function. Communication includes speech production and fluency, language, cognition, voice, resonance, and hearing. Swallowing includes all aspects of swallowing, including related feeding behaviors. The terms communication and swallowing are used to reflect all areas. The SLP assesses the underlying communication and/or swallowing challenges and addresses the findings with therapy, when applicable, with the goal of achieving desired outcomes.