What does a Speech Pathologist do?

According to, ASHA, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, "Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults" The ASHA website also includes this effective breakdown of what various careers exist within the field of speech pathology.

SLPs work with the full range of human communication and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages. SLPs:

•  Evaluate and diagnose speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders.
•  Treat speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders.
•  Provide training and education to family/caregivers and other professionals. 
• Work collaboratively with professionals from many other disciplines. 

Additionally, SLPs may: 

•  Prepare future professionals in colleges and universities. 
• Own or run clinics or private practices. 
• Work for national, state, or local associations or agencies. Supervise and direct public school or clinical programs. 
• Engage in research to enhance knowledge about human communication processes and develop new assessment and treatment methods that may lead to more effective outcomes. 
• Provide counseling and consultative services. Train and supervise support personnel.

Source: ASHA. (2015). Speech-Language Pathologists: About Speech Language Pathology. Retrieved from American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): http://www.asha.org/Students/Speech-Language-Pathologists/#careers