What is a speech-language pathologist?
“A speech-language pathologist is the professional who engages in clinical services, prevention, advocacy, education, administration, and research in the areas of communication and swallowing across the life span from infancy through geriatrics.”
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), often referred to as speech therapists, are professionals trained to assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, cognitive, voice, and swallowing disorders. While our work encompasses a wide range of conditions across the lifespan, today we will focus on adult neuro SLPs: outlining the necessary training, conditions and diagnoses treated, and what to expect during your first evaluation.
Training and Education
Becoming an SLP requires rigorous academic and clinical training:
Undergraduate Degree: A bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders or a related field. Some may choose to become a speech-language pathology assistant after completing their undergraduate degree.
Graduate Degree: A master's degree in speech-language pathology is essential to evaluate and diagnose. These programs typically last two years and combine coursework with supervised clinical practice. Most programs are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).
State Licensure: Each state in the U.S. has its own licensure requirements, which usually involve meeting the educational, exam, and clinical experience standards set by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Clinical Fellowship: After obtaining a master's degree, aspiring SLPs have the option to complete a clinical fellowship, which involves working under the supervision of a licensed SLP for approximately nine months.
Certification: The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) offers the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). This certification requires passing the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology and completing the clinical fellowship.
Continuing Education: Every year, we complete continuing education coursework either in person or virtually to maintain our licensure and ASHA certification. The average requirement is ~ 10 hours per year.
Anna is a Licensed SLP in the state of Georgia and an ASHA Certified Speech-Language Pathologist.
Anna is a certified LSVT LOUD clinician.
Diagnoses Treated by Adult Neuro SLPs
SLPs specializing in adult neurogenic communication disorders work with patients who have experienced:
Stroke
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Neurodegenerative Diseases: Conditions like Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis
Brain Tumors
Dementia
What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do?
SLPs working with adults, especially those specializing in neurogenic communication disorders, address issues that arise due to neurological conditions. These may include:
Aphasia: Language impairment typically caused by a stroke or brain injury.
Dysarthria: Speech disorders resulting from muscle weakness or coordination problems.
Apraxia of Speech: Difficulty in planning and coordinating the movements necessary for speech.
Cognitive-Communication Disorders: Problems with communication skills that involve memory, attention, problem-solving, and executive functions.
Dysphagia: Swallowing difficulties often seen in conditions like Parkinson's disease or after a stroke.
Dysphonia: Voice disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease, vocal misuse, or vocal cord dysfunction that can lead to respiratory issues.
What to Expect at Your First Evaluation
If you’re seeing an SLP for the first time, here’s what you can typically expect:
Initial Consultation: The SLP will gather your medical history, including any recent diagnoses, treatments, and medications. They will ask about your specific concerns and how they impact your daily life.
Assessment: The evaluation will include a series of standardized tests, informal assessments, and questionnaires to gauge your speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing abilities. This might involve tasks like naming objects, following directions, repeating sentences, and swallowing different consistencies of food and liquid.
Discussion of Findings: After the assessment, the SLP will explain their findings, providing a clear understanding of your strengths and areas of concern.
Treatment Plan: If therapy is recommended, the SLP will outline a tailored treatment plan that will include your input. This may include goals, the frequency of sessions, and specific exercises or strategies to address your needs.
Questions and Collaboration: The first session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and discuss your goals and preferences. Effective therapy is a collaborative process, and your input is vital to its success.
Conclusion
Speech-Language Pathologists play a crucial role in helping adults with neurogenic communication disorders regain and improve their communication and swallowing functions. Through specialized training and certification, SLPs are equipped to provide targeted and effective interventions. If you or a loved one is experiencing communication or swallowing difficulties due to a neurological condition, seeking the expertise of an SLP can be a transformative step towards better health and improved quality of life.
Speech Solutions offers a free, 15 minute phone consultation to determine your needs prior to scheduling your evaluation. This allows you to ask any questions you may have before getting started!
