Speech therapy specializes in the evaluation and treatment of:
- Communication. Including expressive and receptive language skills, speech intelligibility, dysfluency (stuttering), and oral motor functions.
- Vocal quality. Treatment of patients with voice disorders due to physiologic impairment resulting in hoarse or breathy vocal quality.
- Dysphagia. Feeding and swallowing impairment is characterized by difficulty swallowing.
Dysphagia may lead to an inability to maintain adequate nutrition or hydration as well as the risk of breathing in food or other materials. Patients are generally evaluated by the speech pathologist in our office and may get x-rays or other imaging if necessary. - Cognitive linguistic skills. Attention and concentration, memory, safety awareness and problem-solving skills.
For more information about our program, call 315.349.5558.
Reviewed 2/8/2023
Sources
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "Adult Speech and Language." https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/adultsandl/.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "Child Speech and Language." https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/childsandl/.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "Dysarthria." https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/dysarthria/.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "Speech-Language Pathologists." https://www.asha.org/Students/Speech-Language-Pathologists/.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "Swallowing Disorders in Adults." https://www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/Swallowing-Disorders-in-Adults/.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "Who Are Speech-Language Pathologists, and What Do They Do?" https://www.asha.org/public/who-are-speech-language-pathologists/.
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. "Developmental Language Disorder." https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/developmental-language-disorder#7.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "What Speech-Language Pathologists Do." https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-2.
Speech therapy quiz
True or false?
Speech-language pathologists treat a wide variety of communication and swallowing problems. How much do you know about the many types of disorders speech therapy can address?
Start the quiz
True or false: Speech-language pathologists work only in outpatient settings.
FALSE. Speech-language pathologists work in many settings. You might find them in grade schools, colleges and universities, private practices, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals.
True or false: Speech therapy is mainly helpful for children.
FALSE. Speech-language pathologists work with people of all ages to treat many types of communication and swallowing problems, including:
- Stuttering.
- Learning disabilities involving reading, spelling and writing.
- Voice, language and swallowing disorders caused by problems like stroke, cancer or brain injury.
True or false: Speech therapy might help someone who has autism interact socially with others.
TRUE: All people with autism have social communication problems. Speech-language pathologists can educate and train them how to greet others and ask questions; speak in ways appropriate to the listener and setting; and follow social norms for conversation, like taking turns at talking or how close to stand to someone while conversing.
True or false: Speech-language pathologists help people learn to swallow food.
TRUE: A swallowing disorder can lead to problems like poor nutrition and weight loss. Speech-language pathologists can help people learn to manage swallowing problems (called dysphagia) in order to suck, chew and swallow food and liquid properly.
True or false: Speech therapy can help with how your voice sounds.
TRUE: Speech-language pathologists address a variety of voice problems. If you sound hoarse or lose your voice easily, speech therapy can help. Speech-language pathologists can also address other voice issues like talking too loudly, talking through your nose or being unable to make sounds.
What's the best way to take care of your voice? Find out by taking this voice care quiz.