What does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do?
A speech-language pathologist may focus on a specific area of treatment or may treat all aspects of communication and the oral mechanism.
Speech
Speech refers to how sounds are made via the articulators (i.e. tongue, teeth, and lips), as well as the muscles necessary for speech execution. A speech-language pathologist will assess what sounds a patient or child is using, and how they are making those sounds. In the case of a child, they will determine whether the child’s sound repertoire is representative of their developmental stage. “Speech” includes: articulation, phonology, fluency/dysfluency (stuttering or cluttering), respiration (breathing for speech) and voice/vocal quality.
Language
Language refers to what the patient or child can understand and what they can express. A speech-language pathologist will analyze the language being used and whether it is appropriate and/or representative of the current developmental stage. The therapist will analyze the sample in terms of its morphology, syntax, semantics, and social/pragmatic aspects of communication so that you will have a comprehensive analysis of Expressive Language. In addition, the therapist will assess comprehension or Receptive Language, which is the ability to understand language. This can include: understanding words and their meanings (vocabulary), and the ability to listen and follow directions. Depending on the age and needs of the client, the therapist may also assess and identify and treat areas of need in phonological awareness and pre-literacy skills.
Oral Motor
Oral motor skills refers to how the lips, tongue, and jaw are working together and independently from each other. The muscles used for feeding are the same muscles used for speech. Sometimes speech therapy will involve intense focus on the muscles of face and mobility in the tongue.
Oral development begins in utero, and birth to 2 years of age is a critical learning period for mouth/oral development. Disordered lip posture, tongue resting posture, jaw stability, chewing, and swallowing can result in a variety of disorders leading to jaw, neck, and facial pain, tongue thrusting, sleep disorders, poor posture and relapsed orthodontics.
The therapist can go over the stages of feeding, mouthing, and oral development. In addition, the therapist can assess sensory awareness of the oral structure as it relates to oral functions.
Cognition & Play
Cognitive development and language development are closely related and it is so important that your child be given many opportunities to play. Play is the best way for a child to learn! Play is at the heart of speech & language development. A speech-language pathologist can assess your child’s play behavior and how this relates to overall language and cognitive development .
When to see a Speech-Language Pathologist
- Are you concerned about your child’s speech development?
- Is he/she difficult to understand? Are some sounds particularly challenging?
- Are other people and children having a hard time understanding your child? (depending on the child’s age, this could be very normal).
- Are you concerned about how well your child is hearing or processing sounds?
- Are you concerned that your child is not remembering what he or she just heard?
- Are you concerned that your child is having difficulty understanding instruction in the classroom?
- Is your child not talking or not talking as much as you think he/she should?
- Is your child getting overly frustrated trying to communicate his/her wants and needs?
- Are you noticing behavioral issues because your child is trying so hard to communicate and can’t seem to find a way to do so effectively?
- Does your child not play like other toddlers or children?
- Does your child prefer to play alone?
- Do you feel like you need some pointers to help make your playtime more fun and effective?
- Does it seem like your child is having a hard time making and maintaining friendships?
- Is your child having a hard time reading and/or understanding what he or she just read?
- Does your child have a hard time sequencing events and telling stories?
- Is you child having a hard time organizing his or her thoughts to effectively tell you about an event?
- Is your child a messy eater? Does she/he drool?
If you have any concerns like the ones above, get in touch with us!