What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist do?

In short: Evaluate, diagnose, and treat disorders of communication.

Communication is how thoughts, ideas, and feelings are exchanged between people. Communication covers a broad range of skills (included below) which are important for the ability to learn from verbal speech and written text in schools. Speech-Language Pathologists are specialists with a Master's degree in assessing and treating communication disorders in any setting.

Areas of Communication Treatment in Schools:

Speech Sound Errors/Disorders

Articulation of Sounds

Articulation is the process by which sounds, syllables, and words are formed when you move your tongue, jaw, and lips. Speech sound disorder is an umbrella term for errors in producing speech sound(s). This could be the articulation of one sound or many sounds combined.

Examples: "cup" pronounced as 'tup', "time" as "kime," or "scary" as "ha-he" or "terry"

Fluency

(stuttering)

Fluency refers to continuity, smoothness, rate, and effort in speech production. Stuttering, the most common fluency disorder, is an interruption in the flow of speaking characterized by specific types of disfluencies (interruptions).

Examples: sound/word repetitions ( “Look at the b-b-baby,” “Let’s go out-out-out”), sound prolongations (e.g., “Ssssssssome”); and silent blocks where they are unable to continue speaking ("p........please")

*Note: Mr. Scheri firmly believes that stuttering should be accepted. I work with students to understand stuttering, accept it and improve their self-confidence, participate in speaking situations, and decrease tension with speaking.

Receptive Language

Understanding Spoken Language

Receptive language is the “input” of language, the ability to understand and comprehend spoken language that you hear or read. For example, a child’s ability to listen and follow directions (e.g. “put on your coat”) relies on the child’s receptive language skills.

Examples: Following directions,, answering questions, identifying objects, reading comprehension, understanding a story

Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC)

Augmentative alternative communication (AAC) is the systems and devices that help people who, some or all of the time, cannot rely on their speech. AAC incorporates the individual's full communication abilities and may include any existing speech, gestures, signs, and/or devices that speak when a button is pushed. Current research shows that AAC devices do not inhibit verbal speech production; instead, AAC supports speech production.¹

Examples: pointing to pictures or letters, pointing to written words, "speaking" iPad or computer (like Stephen Hawking).

Expressive Language

Producing Spoken Language

Expressive language is the “output” of language, the ability to express your wants and needs through verbal or nonverbal communication. It is the ability to put thoughts into words and sentences in a way that makes sense and is grammatically correct. For example, children may have expressive language difficulties if they are unable to tell you when they need to use the bathroom or when they are hungry.

Examples: Asking questions, naming objects, making comments, vocabulary, using grammar rules, using multi-word sentences

Social Communication

Social communication is the use of language in social contexts. Social communication skills include the ability to vary speech style, take the perspective of others, and build successful social connections.

*Note: Mr. Scheri tries to take a neurodiverse approach to social communication therapy. For Autistic students, social communication therapy

is never forced and individualized to suit the student's interests and desire for social communication. Perspective-taking regarding differences in social use of language, and self-advocacy skills are often the primary goal.

*Note 2: Social communication is also treated by Social Workers in our schools. If this is the main area of concern, they will be on the team."

What do speech pathologists treat in other settings?

hospitals, newborn intensive care units (NICUs), nursing homes, and private practices

(View full scope of practice Here)

Gender-Affirming Voice Therapy

*One of My Passions

This therapy aids those along the gender spectrum in safely and successfully changing aspects of their voice and communication style to be congruent with their gender identity. This therapy can include goals to feminize, masculinize, or create an androgynous voice and communication style.

Swallowing / Dysphagia

Difficulty Swallowing

Dysphagia is the medical term for a swallowing disorder. That means there can be difficulty with any part of the swallowing process from the preparation for eating/swallowing to when it goes down the esophagus (food-tube).

Examples: coughing with meals, food coming back up, food feeling stuck.

Cognition

Cognitive-communication disorders are problems with communication that have an underlying cause in a cognitive deficit. This can be caused by aging, stroke, accidents, etc.

Examples: attention, memory, organization, problem-solving, and reasoning

Voice & Upper Airway

*rarely treated in schools

Voice disorders are a problem with pitch, volume, tone, or other qualities of your voice. These problems occur when your vocal folds (cords) don't vibrate normally.

Examples: laryngitis, vocal fold paralysis/paresis, laryngeal cancer, Parkinson's Disease

The Impact of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention on the Speech Production of Individuals With Developmental Disabilities: A Research Review" by Diane C. Millar, Janice C. Light and Ralf W. Schlosser in Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, April 2006, Vol. 49, 248-264. doi:10.1044/1092-4388(2006/021)

Effects of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention on Speech Production in Children With Autism: A Systematic Review" by Ralf W. Schlosser and Oliver Wendt in American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, August 2008, Vol. 17, 212-230. doi:10.1044/1058-0360(2008/021)

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