Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-language pathology is a diverse field that encompasses communication and swallowing disorders, including impairments of speech production, fluency, voice/resonance, language, and cognition. Clinicians and professionals who specialize in the assessment and treatment of speech- and language-based communication disorders and swallowing disorders are known as speech-language pathologists (SLPs); SLPs work in a variety of settings, including medical and educational settings. Practitioners of speech-language pathology who work directly with patients are responsible for assessing for the presence of disorders, diagnosing disorders, developing and implementing goals and treatment plans, and discharging and following up with patients when appropriate.

Speech-language pathology has progressed from basing clinical methods on principles that seem intuitive and anecdotally supported to emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practice. Clinical experience plays a role in evidence-based practice, but equally important are careful consideration of the best research evidence and the values of the patients and their families. The evidence can be both experimental research (emphasis on controlled and replicable studies) and qualitative (emphasis on descriptive, contextualized social experiences). Through an increasing body of strong evidence underlying clinical principles, speech-language pathology has established itself as a reputable field of scientific study grounded in evidence-based practice.

This entry discusses speech-language pathology with regard to service areas and settings and reviews SLP credentialing requirements.