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Speech-Language Therapy Services & Treatment

Do you or your child have communication, swallowing or voice difficulties? Our speech-language pathologists help patients of all ages develop and maintain their ability to speak more clearly, understand and express thoughts and feelings, and eat and swallow safely.

Find out more about our speech-language services:

Conditions and consultations, diagnosis and treatments.

• Speech-language Therapy specialists
• Speech-Language Therapy locations near you
• Speech-Language Therapy providers near you

Our speech-language pathologists care for children and adults.

Conditions treated include:

• Articulation problems
• Augmentative and alternative communication systems
• Cleft palate
• Communication problems associated with autism, cerebral palsy, emotional concerns, head injury, hearing loss and pervasive developmental disorders
• Delayed/disordered speech and language
• Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia
• Executive function, such as difficulty planning and carrying out tasks
• Laryngitis or hoarse voice
• Laryngectomy
• Oral, oropharyngeal (mouth and pharynx) or nasopharyngeal (nose or nasal cavity) cancer complications
• Problem-solving and reasoning
• Stroke-related deficits
• Traumatic brain injury
• Voice disorders

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Our speech-language pathologists see patients in the outpatient setting.

Treatments provided include:

• Cancer rehabilitation
• Electric stimulation therapy
• Fiber-optic endoscopic swallowing evaluation
• Evidence-based therapy for neurological conditions
• Neuromotor clinic services
• Parkinson's disease therapy to improve voice communication and quality of life
• Pediatric speech therapy
• Swallowing difficulties and video swallowing studies
• Videostroboscopy for voice assessment

Speech-Language Therapy specialists

Speech-language pathologists are licensed practitioners who are experts in assessing and treating communication disorders.

Additional care and therapies may be provided by:

• Gastroenterology & Hepatology
• Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy
• Otolaryngology (ENT)/Head & Neck Surgery Services
• Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine

Find a speech-language therapist near you.

A referral is required, and your primary care provider can help refer you. Be sure to check your insurance plan to see if speech therapy services are covered. Call the appointment number of your preferred Speech-Language Therapy location to learn more.

What should I expect during my first appointment, and what should I bring?

During your initial visit, you will discuss your goals for therapy, and the speech-language pathologist will evaluate your speech-language concerns. After the evaluation, the pathologist will diagnose the concern and develop an individualized treatment plan with you. Your therapy team will provide education, treatment, intervention, management and counseling for you and your family.

For your first appointment, bring any imaging or medical records from non-Mayo Clinic Health System facilities. Complete a medical records release form (PDF) to authorize the transfer of health records from another healthcare facility to us. Visit our Medical Record Forms page for this form and other forms in multiple languages.

What are my payment options, and do you offer financial assistance?

Visit the billing page of your preferred location for information on insurance, billing and payments.

We serve patients in difficult financial circumstances and offer financial assistance to those who have an established need to receive medically necessary services. Learn more about financial assistance options .

Can you provide a second opinion?

Yes — simply call the appointment number at your preferred Speech-Language Therapy location . See What should I expect during my first appointment? for tips on how to prepare.

Do you have an after-hours number in case of emergency?

Always call 911 in case of emergency. For after-hours help for other issues, review our convenient care options .

Explore locations or providers near you for details on high-quality speech-language therapy:

Locations view more.

• 715-537-9905

• 715-568-6888

• 507-668-2900
• 507-668-2912

Providers View More

ONLINE SPEECH THERAPY

Adult Speech Therapy

Affordable, at Home, on Your Schedule

WHAT IS ADULT SPEECH THERAPY

What Is Adult Speech Therapy?

Speech is an incredibly powerful communication tool.

When you or a loved one has trouble with clear speech, using language, or understanding language, it can feel deeply frustrating.

Adult speech therapy helps adults who are struggling with language live their lives to the fullest. Whether your challenges have been present since childhood or are the result of a recent illness, working with a speech-language pathologist can change your life. In addition, some adults want to work on Accent Reduction or want to increase thei r confidence speaking in public. A speech therapist for adults can work with you to build strategies that make your life and career little better.

Adult Speech Therapy Services

Speech therapy can be beneficial for adults who have difficulty communicating.

These challenges may start in childhood, such as stuttering, or may be acquired later in life, for example after a stroke or brain injury. Speech therapy can help address a wide variety of concerns related to communication.

The human brain is amazing at adapting and figuring out new things, and that ability never disappears - it’s never too late to learn strategies to support stronger communication skills. Speech therapy can help!

Speech therapy can provide support in the following areas:

Traumatic Brain Injury

Neurodegenerative Disorders ( MS , ALS , Parkinson’s Disease , Dementia )

Voice Disorders

Accent Modification

IMPROVEMENT

Adult Speech Therapy for Improving Your Professional Communication

In addition to the reasons mentioned earlier on, plenty of adults choose to see a speech language pathologist to generally refine their communication skills. You don’t need a diagnosis or a doctor’s note to try out speech therapy—if it’s helpful for you, then you’re in the right place. 

Some therapists specialize in working with bilingual adults who are interested in modifying their accents. Speech therapy can be a useful tool if you wish to refine your pronunciation.

Others choose speech therapy to increase their comfort and confidence. If speaking in public or gathering verbal information causes stress, a therapist for adults can work with you to build strategies that make life a little easier. Similarly, speech therapy can aid adults for whom intonation and expression don’t come naturally.

WHAT TO EXPECT

What Happens in an Adult Speech Therapy Session?

During the first few visits, your adult speech therapist will get to know you, collect some background information, and learn about your communication goals. They will ask you some questions and may complete an assessment.

As you begin therapy, your therapist will guide you through an individualized therapy plan that fits your specific communication needs.

Between sessions, your therapist will assign you home practice from our Practice Library.

THERAPY LENGTH

How Long Does Speech Therapy for Adults Last?

The duration of speech therapy for an adult depends on a couple of factors, such as the person's diagnosis, the severity of the diagnosis, how often speech therapy sessions are needed, and how involved an individual and caregivers/family are. For example, someone with a TBI might need speech therapy services for only a few short weeks or months if the injury to their brain is minor or moderate.

However, more severe injuries may require years of speech therapy services. Similarly, an individual with a degenerative disease, such as Parkinson’s, might also need months or years of speech therapy to attempt to maintain the functions that they currently have.

HOW IT WORKS

How to Get Started with Adult Speech Therapy

250+ Licensed and Experienced Therapists

Our  speech therapists  are all licensed and certified, with ~10 years of experience. We cover every state in the USA. We offer speech therapy services for children and  adults.

Better Speech for Adult Speech Therapy

When you choose to pursue speech therapy for adults at home, Better Speech has everything you need. We offer over 150 experienced speech therapists for adults, so we’re sure to have someone whose areas of expertise match your needs. 

Our staff is comprised of well-trailed and experienced Speech Language Pathologists, each with over 10 years of experience. To work as an SLP, each of these individuals has completed years of education and supervised training. Better Speech’s speech pathologists all hold master’s degrees in their field and are certified to practice in their home state.

Why Is Online Adult Speech Therapy Better?

Better Speech is committed to not only providing high-quality speech therapy for adults, and we also offer speech therapy for kids. We want to make the online experience as helpful and easy as possible. You don’t need any special equipment to succeed, and we are the perfect speech therapy option for adults at home. All that is required is an internet connection and the ability to share video and audio.

These are few of the reasons why our clients say they prefer online speech therapy:​​

No travel time makes it easier to fit therapy into my busy day.

I have limited mobility and I don’t have to worry about the process of leaving the house

There’s more flexibility with scheduling times and dates.

I don’t live near many speech therapists for adults, but online I could connect with the specialist that I needed.

WHAT WE OFFER

How Do We Compare to Others?

$69.95 /week

In-Person Therapy

The most affordable option.

You can use insurance, FSA/HSA, Medicare Advantage

Immediate Availability

Early intervention is key. Avoid waitlist - start as early at tomorrow.

Convenient 

No need to commute in traffic or wait in waitrooms. Get therapy from home on your your phone or computer.

Easy Scheduling

Pick a time that works for you - any day including evenings and weekends

$225 /session

Unlimited Practice

Get faster results with unlimited speech practices between sessions.

Effective 

Equally effective as in-person therapy according to academic research

WHY PEOPLE LOVE US

Our Shining Testimonials

It's really convenient, easy and affordable. My son speech really got better.

We have seen our son just explode in terms of speech, language and confidence.  It gets our highest recommendation! 

I love the flexibility of the online schedule. Also with insurance, it was a fraction of the cost of a clinic, I wish I have tried Better Speech sooner. 

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The Role of a Speech Pathologist in Adult Rehab

This is the scenario I get almost every time I tell someone what I do for a living. I find from personal experience that the average person doesn’t think of a speech-language pathologist (SLP) as working outside of schools. But I’m here to tell you there is so much more to speech pathology.

Yes, we can help a young child that stutters, but SLPs can also help someone relearn to speak after having a stroke. SLPs can help someone swallow safely after head and neck cancer. SLPs can help someone rehabilitate their cognitive skills so they can go back to work after a traumatic brain injury.

The scope of practice of a speech-language pathologist is vast. So, let me break it down for you. Here’s what we can do for adults!

Why might an adult see an SLP?

There are various reasons adults may see a speech pathologist. Some of the most common diagnoses include:

Traumatic brain injury

Concussions

Brain tumors

Encephalopathy

Parkinson’s disease

Multiple Sclerosis

Head and neck cancer

What do SLPs treat?

The American Speech-Language & Hearing Association (ASHA) states: "Speech-Language Pathologists work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in adults and children." Let’s break it down.

SPEECH & LANGUAGE

There are three different disorders that fall under the speech & language category. The most common being aphasia. Aphasia is a loss of language caused by a brain injury, whether that be a stroke, TBI, or tumor. Aphasia can affect any domain of language. There are four language domains - speaking, understanding, reading, and writing.

Apraxia is a speech disorder that makes it difficult to coordinate and sequence sounds in words. This is caused by a disruption from the brain to the muscles of the mouth. In the case of apraxia, there is most often no actual weakness of the muscles related to the mouth.

Dysarthria is a speech disorder that results in slurred speech. This impairment is due to weakness of the muscles of the mouth or possibly those used for breathing.

There are six domains of cognition and any or all of them can be impaired. These include attention, memory, executive function, language, visuospatial, and social cognition.

Cognitive therapy is different from person to person depending upon the goals of the client. For example, a college athlete with a concussion is going to have many different goals than an older adult with dementia.

Did you know that an SLP can help you relearn to swallow? Dysphagia is a disorder of swallowing. There are various causes of dysphagia that may present with a variety of symptoms. SLPs are skilled in diagnosing, compensating, and rehabilitating the swallowing mechanism to safely eat and drink.

How do I find the right SLP for me?

Not all SLPs will fit you and your specific needs. For example, you probably wouldn’t want your car mechanic to repair an airplane and vice versa. This means you wouldn’t want a speech pathologist that only works with children to treat you or your loved one after a stroke! So how do you find the right provider? Here are a few tips:

Start with a good online search by using keywords like speech therapy for… stroke, brain injury, adults, etc.

Read bios to find someone who specializes in your specific disorder and age range

Ask questions! (e.g., Do you work with aphasia? How often do you see clients with aphasia? What makes you different than other therapists?)

Don’t be afraid to say it may not be a good fit

Neuro Speech Solutions is the only speech therapy private practice in Buffalo, NY that specializes in adult neurological rehabilitation. Our specialty is in brain injury, including stroke, TBI, and concussions, as well as neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

If you are searching for an SLP, give us a call and see what makes our clinic different than the rest!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katie Brown, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS

Katie is the owner and founder of Neuro Speech Solutions. She is passionate about providing person-centered treatment to her clients in order to meet their life participation goals. Katie is dedicated to helping other SLPs provide functional therapy through affordable materials and education courses.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE…

Home practice is a crucial part of rehabilitation. But didn’t you leave homework behind when you finished school? Learn more about the necessity of “homework” in speech therapy to help reach your therapy goals! 2 Min Read

Speech, language, and voice are often used interchangeably. They are all parts of communication but are distinct from one another! Learn about the difference and how you can pursue treatment. 2 Min Read

Did you know your brain can keep improving even after it’s been injured? It’s true! In this article, I’ll breakdown what neuroplasticity means and how it relates to your recovery in speech therapy. There is always hope after a stroke! 3 Min Read

Katie is the owner of Neuro Speech Solutions. She is passionate about providing person-centered & functional therapy to help her patients meet their life goals.

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Speech Language Pathology (SLP)

What is speech therapy.

Speech therapy, also known as speech pathology, is the study and treatment of speech and language problems.

Speech pathologists are experts who treat issues including receptive and expressive language, articulation of speech sounds, phonological delays, stuttering, pragmatics, reading, literacy, feeding, swallowing and more. Speech and language therapy also addresses dysphagia , providing treatment to ensure safe and sufficient swallow when eating and drinking.

When do you need language therapy services?

For pediatrics, language therapy is utilized for an expressive language delay or developmental delay. There are myriad reasons why children might not develop language — everything from ear infections to cerebral palsy, a brain tumor to autism spectrum disorder .

For adults, language delay could be due to a traumatic brain injury , progressive neurogenic disorder like Parkinson’s, or a stroke .

What is a speech-language pathologist?

A speech-language pathologist is an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)-certified specialist at Brooks who treat pediatric patients and adults in the areas of voice, swallowing, cognitive therapy , language therapy, motor speech, and more. They are passionate therapists who provide quality care in the Brooks’ patient-centered continuum of care .

Types of speech and language therapy

Pediatric speech and language therapy.

Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy looks at different areas of communication, including receptive and expressive language, articulation, fluency (stuttering), feeding and swallowing, and pragmatics. Pediatric speech therapy works with children 0-18 to improve overall language skills and help patients engage and attend to tasks to increase understanding and expression of their wants and needs to familiar and unfamiliar listeners. Pediatric therapy also focuses on safe and sufficient swallow to reduce any signs or symptoms of choking or distress when engaged in meals.

Neurological speech and language therapy

Speech-language therapy can be helpful for individuals who experience new or longstanding difficulties with communication, cognition, voice, speech, and swallowing as a result of changes in the brain, such as brain cancer, brain injury, stroke, and/or degenerative conditions (Parkinson Disease, Dementia, ALS , Primary Progressive Aphasia).

Oncology speech and language therapy

For individuals embarking on radiation therapy for oral, head, and neck cancer(s), SLP services can help to manage common changes in swallowing that occur early on in radiation therapy and/or later on into survivorship.

Voice therapy

Voice therapy consists of various exercises, techniques and behavior modifications. These activities are developed to improve a patient’s vocal quality so that they can be heard and understood in a variety of environments.

Swallow therapy

Swallow therapy consists of various exercises, techniques, strategies and diet modifications. We educate the patient and caregiver on ways to minimize the risk of aspiration (choking) so that the patient can safely reach his/her least restrictive diet and maintain a good quality of life.

Aphasia therapy

Aphasia therapy consists of various language treatments to improve the patient’s ability to talk, understand, read and write more effectively. We educate the patient and caregiver on ways to decrease communication barriers and improve overall communication skills.

Cognitive therapy

Cognitive therapy consists of various activities and strategies to improve a patient’s attention, executive functioning, organization, memory, orientation and visuospatial skills. This type of therapy improves a patient’s ability to manage activities of daily living (i.e. making financial decisions, medication management).

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) therapy

AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. AAC is a greatly needed service within the scope of Speech-Language Pathology. This service focuses on providing individuals with an external communication system when verbal speech fails to meet an individual’s basic, fundamental right to communicate their wants, needs, thoughts, and ideas. AAC provides a person with a language system for independent communication at a level that respects their overall intelligence and desired level of communication.

What to expect

The very first appointment with the Speech Language Pathologist is the initial evaluation. The evaluation involves an interview, testing and clinical observation. At the beginning, the therapist asks various questions about the patient’s medical history, their complaints and their ultimate goals for therapy.

Then, the therapist administers tests to establish a baseline and to determine areas of improvement. Based on the interview responses and the performance on the tests, the therapist then develops a plan of care and goals for that patient.

Next, we schedule the patient for the recommended appointments. During the follow up appointments, the therapist educates the patient on their goals, plan of care, and discusses strategies and techniques that are helpful for the patient to utilize. The therapist also develops various tasks/activities for the patient to perform throughout their future sessions to help reach their goals.

Benefits of speech and language therapy

The benefits of speech and language therapy vary for each patient depending on their individualized goals.

We help patients speak more clearly and fluently, understand/use language more efficiently, improve vocal quality, increase swallow safety and enhance their cognitive skills for a better quality of life.

When a patient finishes therapy, they can safely utilize strategies and techniques independently or with minimal assistance outside of the clinic. We expect them to confidently maintain their level of communication, swallowing skills, cognitive abilities and vocal quality in various scenarios of their daily life.

Do you need a referral to see a speech-language pathologist?

Patients will need to obtain a referral from their physician prior to starting SLP services. Once obtained, the patient schedules their initial evaluation at the clinic that best offers the services necessary for their recovery.

However, at our Aphasia Center and in our community programs, you do not need any type of referral.

How to find a speech-language pathologist

Brooks Rehabilitation has many outpatient facilities with vast treatment options for speech language-pathology therapy throughout the greater Jacksonville, Fernandina, St. Augustine, Daytona, Orlando, and Tampa regions. To find a location closest to you and your needs, please visit our full locations page to find speech therapy services.

Medical Reviewers

Alexis saviuk rodewald, m.s., ccc-slp, speech language pathologist, jacqueline n. jones, m.s., ccc-slp, adult outpatient speech-language pathologist, lindsey brown, ms, ccc-slp, outpatient speech language pathologist.

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What Is a Speech Pathologist?

Also Known as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) or Speech Therapist

• What They Do
• Conditions Treated

Training for Speech Pathologists

• When to See an SLP

A speech pathologist, also known as a speech therapist, is a healthcare professional who helps you improve your speech and communication if you have been ill, injured, or have a chronic disability. Speech pathologists may also be called speech-language pathologists (SLP).

Speech pathologists also work with people who have difficulty swallowing food or drink to help them stay safe while eating.

This article examines the important work that speech pathologists do as part of a rehabilitation team of professionals. You will learn what conditions they treat and when you should seek out the services of an SLP.

What a Speech Pathologist Does

A speech pathologist is a trained medical professional who works with patients who are injured or ill and are having difficulty speaking or swallowing. They work to prevent, assess, and treat these disorders in adults and children.

Speech pathologists help people communicate, and this may involve:

• Expressive communication : The ability to communicate verbally and nonverbally
• Receptive communication : The ability to understand verbal and nonverbal communications

Some speech therapists work closely with audiologists (healthcare professionals who treat hearing and balance problems) to ensure that you can hear and understand language correctly. Others work with otolaryngologists , also called ear, nose, and throat physicians (ENTs), to help patients swallow food and drink safely and to assist patients with oral motor function.

Common Specialty Areas

Some speech pathologists have a more generalized practice, while others have a more narrow focus on specific areas or problems such as:

• Social communication
• Voice and vocal hygiene
• Speech sound disorders

Some of the official certifications that a speech pathologist may receive include:

•  Intraoperative monitoring
•  Fluency disorders
•  Swallowing and feeding disorders
•  Child language disorders

Speech pathologists seeking specialty certification have to meet education, experience, and clinical practice requirements as established by independent specialty certification boards.

Where Speech Therapists Work

There are a variety of settings in which speech pathologists work. This may include:

• Schools: Speech therapists working in schools help children with speech disorders learn to overcome their communication challenges.
• Nursing homes: Speech therapists in nursing homes help patients with dementia or communication issues caused by other conditions like stroke learn communication strategies. They also work with staff on ways to help residents communicate more effectively.
• Hospitals: A speech pathologist working in a hospital may help diagnose and treat language communication problems and swallowing disorders in hospitalized patients. 
• Private practices: Speech pathologists may also work in private practices where they may specialize in one or more language problems or health conditions in specific populations.

Speech pathologists can also work as educators in colleges and universities, and they may be involved in research.

Conditions Speech Therapists Treat

Speech pathologists work with people of various ages and with a variety of conditions. They sometimes work with young children who are having problems speaking properly, or they may help older adults with cognitive communication (communication that is affected by memory, attention, organization, and problem-solving, which are examples of executive functioning ).

A stroke can cause damage to the part of the brain responsible for language and communication. Depending on the extent of the stroke, this loss of ability may be short-term or long-term. A speech pathologist can help someone who is recovering from a stroke regain their ability to speak and understand language.

What is aphasia?

Aphasia is a condition of the brain that affects how you communicate with others. It is caused by damage to the part of the brain responsible for language and can affect your ability to speak and understand what is being said.

Hearing Loss

A speech pathologist may work with other professionals such as audiologists and ENTs to help assess, manage, and treat someone with hearing loss. Some of the things a speech pathologist might do to help someone with hearing loss include evaluating the person's speech, helping them improve listening skills, and working with them to develop alternative communication strategies.

Vocal Damage

Vocal cords can become damaged in various ways including persistent coughing and voice overuse. A speech pathologist can teach you muscle strengthing and voice rehabilitation excercises and other strategies to help your vocal cords heal (such as cough modification). 

English Language Learners

If you are learning a new language and wish to alter your accent, you may benefit from the services of a speech-language pathologist, as well. They can help you form words and sounds correctly to alter your normal speech in learning a new language.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury after a blow to the head or an accident that affects the parts of the brain that control language can also lead to problems with communication. A speech therapist can help someone with this type of injury recover lost speech and language skills.

Swallowing Disorders

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. It can be caused by several different medical conditions including muscular problems, a narrowed esophagus, damage caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, or esophageal cancer. 

Untreated dysphagia can lead to problems eating and drinking including choking. A speech pathologist can help you develop strategies for safe chewing and swallowing, including exercises, correct body position, and food preparation recommendations. 

People with autism can have difficulty with both written and spoken communication as well as body-language forms of communication such as pointing and waving. Autism is also associated with difficulties relating to and socializing with other people. 

A speech pathologist can help people with autism understand communication norms and improve their written and spoken communication skills. They can also work with the families of people with autism on strategies that can help develop communication skills.

Alzheimer's Disease

People with dementia or Alzheimer's disease may develop communication problems as the disease progresses. A speech therapist can help the person develop memory skills and other strategies that will help them communicate.

Speech pathologists also work with the family and caregivers of people with dementia so they can help the person implement communication tools and strategies.   

Fluency Disorders

Fluency disorder describes speech patterns characterized by differences in rate and rhythm compared to how most people speak. 

Stuttering is the most common example of a fluency disorder. Another example is cluttering, which describes speech that is atypically fast and irregular.

Speech pathologists usually develop an individualized treatment plan for someone with a fluency disorder, which may include strategies such as:

• Minimizing negative reactions to the problem
• Increasing the person's acceptance of the problem
• Improving confidence
• Reducing avoidance behavior

Speech Sound Disorders

Speech sound disorders describe problems articulating words. People with speech sound disorders may be hard for others to understand. This can result in problems with social relationships, at work, or at school. 

Speech sound disorders are common in childhood and can be treated with the help of a speech pathologist. The pathologist will look at how the person moves their tongue, lips and jaw and help them learn the correct way to make sounds. 

People with speech sound disorders often have other problems with language; their speech therapist can also help them develop strategies to overcome these problems.

Gender-Affirming Voice Therapy

Voice therapy for transgender people can be an important part of gender-affirming healthcare. Learning to speak in ways that align with gender identity can improve a transgender person's quality of life as well as their social and psychological well-being.

A speech pathologist can help a transgender person learn to modify the pitch of their voice in ways that limit fatigue and damage to the vocal cords. They can also help the person learn nonverbal communication, articulation, and other strategies that can help their voice align with their gender identity.

To be a speech pathologist, a person must have a master's degree in communication disorders from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

Many undergraduate and graduate programs in speech pathology require time spent observing a speech therapist at work prior to admission. This satisfies the requirement for entry into school and provides a good understanding of what a speech pathologist's job is like.

The first year of work as a speech therapist is called a clinical fellowship year. During this time, aspiring speech pathologists will work under the supervision of a licensed speech pathologist.

Additional steps to becoming a speech pathologist include:

• Obtaining a certificate of clinical competence in SLP (CCC-SLP)
• Passing a national Praxis examination for Speech-Language Pathology
• Applying for SLP licensure in the state in which you will be working

A speech pathologist's education does not end when they leave school and pass the national examination. They must also fulfill continuing education requirements from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to maintain their license.

When to See a Speech Pathologist

There are certain instances in which you may need to see a speech pathologist. For example, parents commonly notice small speech or language impairments in their children and seek out an SLP.

Adults may want to work with a speech pathologist to help with new or existing communication or language problems.

If you become hospitalized, you may have a speech pathologist come to your room and work with you at your bedside. They can help you with speech and language, swallowing and diet issues, and can work with other members of a rehab team to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for you to return home.

When to see a medical professional

Many speech and language disorders benefit from the help of a speech therapist, but some are more urgent than others. Any sudden onset of impaired speech should be considered an emergency, as the person may be experiencing a life-threatening problem such as a stroke.

Children should be closely monitored for speech and language development. If your child does not have the language skills expected for their age, it is a good idea to see a speech pathologist as soon as you can.

If you or a loved one is having trouble communicating or understanding language, then working with a speech pathologist may be a good idea.

SLPs treat children and adults with a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, stroke, neurological injuries, autism, and more. They are trained to assess your condition and offer strategies to improve your expressive and receptive communication and swallowing function.

Pascoe A, Breen LJ, Cocks N. What is needed to prepare speech pathologists to work in adult palliative care?: What is needed to prepare SPs to work in adult palliative care? .  International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders . 2018;53(3):542-549. doi:10.1111/1460-6984.12367

American Speech Language Hearing Association. Who are speech pathologists, and what do they do? .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Social communication .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Speech sound disorders .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Clinical specialty certification .

Reilly S, Harper M, Goldfeld S. The demand for speech pathology services for children: Do we need more or just different? . J Paediatr Child Health . 2016;52(12):1057-1061. doi:10.1111/jpc.13318

National Aphasia Association. Stroke .

Johns Hopkins Medicine. Aphasia .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Hearing loss in adults .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Autism (autism spectrum disorder) .

Alzheimer's Association. Strategies to support changes in memory, language and behavior in the early stages of dementia .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Fluency disorders .

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Gender-affirming voice therapy advocacy .

SpeechPathologyGraduatePrograms.org. How to become a speech pathologist .

Johns Hopkins Medicine. Identifying speech and language concerns about your child and when should you seek help?  

Salary.com. Speech Pathologist Salary in the United States .

By Brett Sears, PT Brett Sears, PT, MDT, is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in orthopedic and hospital-based therapy.

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Speech & Language Pathology

What is speech therapy?

Speech therapy focuses on assessing, diagnosing and treating patients with communication problems that typically result from disability, surgery or developmental disorders.

Ochsner is dedicated to providing diagnostic and therapeutic speech services to people of all ages: From infants to older adults. Speech-language pathologists, also known as speech therapists or speech pathologists, are professionals who specialize in assessing and treating problems affecting communication as well as feeding and swallowing.

"Speech therapy is centered around evaluating, diagnosing, and addressing communication challenges arising from conditions such as disability, surgery, or developmental disorders. At Ochsner, our commitment extends to delivering comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic speech services across all age groups, from infants to older adults. Our team of speech-language pathologists, commonly referred to as speech therapists or speech pathologists, are experts in the assessment and treatment of communication issues, including those related to feeding and swallowing. Rest assured, we are dedicated to providing specialized care to enhance the communication abilities and overall well-being of our diverse clientele."

Disorders Evaluated and Treated

Speech-language pathologists treat people who have communication or swallowing disorders. A communication disorder involves the inability to understand or appropriately use the speech and language common to our society. Swallowing disorders stem from the same physical issues that may impact speech.

Recognizing which disorders the speech-language pathologist treats begins with understanding several common types. Generally, speech therapy will focus on obtaining goals related to:

• Articulation - Focuses on pronunciation of speech sounds
• Language - Focuses on both receptive (understanding speech) and expressive language (speaking). Therapists will help with comprehension as well as communication.
• Voice - Focuses on quality, volume and pitch of the voice.
• Stuttering - Focuses on minimizing the interruptions to the normal flow of speech.
• Cognitive Communication - Focuses on thinking, memory and learning skills. Therapists will help improve attention, concentration, orientation, memory, problem-solving and reasoning.
• Chewing and Swallowing - Focuses on the ability to functionally and safely chew and swallow. Therapists work with patients who have swallowing disorders that affect the mouth, throat and upper esophagus.

People who may benefit from the types of speech therapy listed above include those who have had:

• Parkinson's disease
• Brain cancer
• Head and neck cancers
• Progressive neurological disorders
• Esophageal dysphagia
• Mild cognitive impairment

Specialized Services and Treatments

At Ochsner, all of our services demonstrate how we maintain the highest standards in meeting each person's needs. Speech services are personalized for each patient to best fit their needs and goals for recovery or improvement of their communicative disorder. Evaluation and therapy services are provided for children and adults in the clinic, acute hospital and rehabilitation settings. Specialized diagnostic and therapeutic technology and strategies include:

• Videofluoroscopy of swallowing (MBSS)
• Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES)
• Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)
• McNeil Dysphagia Therapy Program

Our speech-language pathologists are also part of several multi-disciplinary teams at Ochsner that pull in expert physicians, rehab specialists and support services to offer full-spectrum care to patients. Our speech team is included in the following diagnosis-specific programs at Ochsner:

• Huntington's Disease Clinic (designated a center of excellence by the Huntington's Disease Society of America)
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Clinic (designated a certified treatment center by the ALS Association)
• Concussion Clinic

Pediatric Speech Therapy

Pediatric speech-language pathologists (speech therapists) help infants, children and teens with communication, feeding and swallowing skills.

Our speech therapists provide comprehensive and family-centered care in these areas:

• Alternative and augmentative communication
• Articulation or phonological processes — challenges producing one or more speech sounds
• Childhood apraxia of speech — a condition that impacts some kids’ ability make the right mouth movements necessary to speak correctly
• Fluency — issues with the flow of speech
• Receptive and expressive language — the ability to share needs, thoughts and wants
• Social skills related to communication, including nonverbal communication and knowing what to say when
• Feeding and swallowing difficulties, including breast and bottle feeding
• Oral motor dysfunction

Ochsner is one of only a few Louisiana healthcare facilities offering pediatric modified barium swallow studies.

Support Group

The Ochsner Adult Communicative Disorders Support Group meets every monthly to provide a comfortable setting for discussion and sharing common problems and solutions. It often meets needs beyond individual therapy.

Accessing Speech Therapy

Patients may be referred by a physician or may self-refer. Call 877-889-2976 to schedule.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech language pathology is the study and treatment of human communication and its disorders. These specialists work with the full range of human communication including speech, language and hearing disorders. Speech language pathologists work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults (ASHA, 2017).

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Speech language pathologists also provide rehabilitation services to patients who are deaf or have hearing difficulties and augmentative and alternate communication systems for individuals with severe expressive and/or language comprehension disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder or progressive neurological disorders (ASHA, 2017). They also work with people who do not necessarily have a disorder, but are looking to improve their communication effectiveness, such as those with an extreme accent).

These healthcare professionals also provide training and education to other health professionals and to their patients and their relatives.  Counseling and consultative services are provided by speech language pathologists, in addition to training and supervising support personnel. They collaborate with physicians and health care professionals from a multitude of disciplines.

A speech language pathologist may work in a variety of settings with a variety of duties and responsibilities. Some may teach at an academic institution, work in a private practice, or work for a national, state or local government or agency. Others may focus on research to enhance knowledge about human communication processes and develop new assessment and treatment methods that may lead to more effective outcomes (ASHA, 2017).

Disorders Treated by Speech Language Pathologists

A speech pathologist evaluates and treats speech, language, social communication, cognitive communication and swallowing disorders. These disorders are defined by ASHA (2017) as:

Speech disorders occur when a person has difficulty producing speech sounds correctly or fluently (e.g., stuttering is a form of disfluency) or has problems with his or her voice or resonance.

Language disorders occur when a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings (expressive language). Language disorders may be spoken or written and may involve the form (phonology, morphology, syntax), content (semantics), and/or use (pragmatics) of language in functional and socially appropriate ways.

Social communication disorders occur when a person has trouble with the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication. These disorders may include problems (a) communicating for social purposes (e.g., greeting, commenting, asking questions), (b) talking in different ways to suit the listener and setting, and (c) following rules for conversation and story-telling. All individuals with autism spectrum disorder have social communication problems. Social communication disorders are also found individuals with other conditions, such as traumatic brain injury.

Cognitive-communication disorders include problems organizing thoughts, paying attention, remembering, planning, and/or problem-solving. These disorders usually happen as a result of a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or dementia, although they can be congenital.

Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) are feeding and swallowing difficulties, which may follow an illness, surgery, stroke, or injury.

The History of Speech Language Pathology

The beginnings of medicine in general dates back to ancient times. Speech language pathology as a specialty medical field can be traced back to the early 19 th century. Throughout the 20 th century, the field achieved significant advances in professional establishment, and speech language pathology continues to grow and develop through the 21 st century and beyond.

The 19 th Century

There were three trends during the 19 th century that led to the development of speech language pathology as a healthcare profession. The elocution movement, the scientific revolution and the rise of professionalism all contributed to the growth of speech language pathology. Each field made its own significant contributions that led to the need for speech language pathologists.

The Elocution Movement

The first pathway, the elocution movement, was a broad movement in America where elocutionists set up practices to work with orators, politicians, singers, preachers, actors, and non-specialists who wanted to improve their speaking, orating, or singing (Duchan, 2011). Elocution refers to clear and expressive speech, especially of distinct pronunciation and articulation (Oxford, 2017). The term was first used in the early 19 th century for improving speaking, reading aloud, giving oral presentations or singing.

Two notable elocutionists during this time were Andrew Comstock and Alexander Graham Bell, who both offered lessons in speech, language or hearing problems.

Andrew Comstock

Andrew Comstock (1795-1864) was a professor of elocution in Philadelphia, where he worked with students with speech difficulties. Comstock invented the phonetic alphabet, which not only helped his students improve their speech and phonics, but it was also used to transcribe documents such as the New Testament (Duchan, 2011). Comstock is thought to have a significant influence on the entire speech language pathology profession.

Comstock developed a system of speech therapy to specifically treat patients with stammering and articulation issues. He argued that people who stammer must first learn the elements or oral language, including the articulatory positions of individual sounds (Duchan, 2011). Voice exercises that emphasized pronunciation, inflection and pitch were incorporated into Comstock’s speech therapy, as well as singing and choral speaking. Practice drills focused on pitch, time and force.

Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)

Alexander Graham Bell’s mother suffered from severe hearing loss, which spurned his desire to design methods for teaching the deaf and those with communication difficulties (Duchan, 2011). He began educating deaf students in Boston in 1871, and he also worked with individual patients and clients, which is how he met his future wife.

In 1872, Bell opened his own school for students who were deaf, stuttered or had difficulty with articulation. Bell’s speech therapy system was known as Visible Speech. The Visible Speech system involved a phonetic alphabet, based on the position of the articulators during the production of different speech and non-speech (e.g. yawns) sounds (Duchan, 2011).

Of course, Bell is most famous for inventing the original form of long-distance verbal communication, the telephone.

The Scientific Revolution

During the 19 th century, there was a dramatic shift in medicinal views from religious and philosophical to those based on science. With the introduction of Darwinism and the establishment of academic psychology programs in the United States and Europe, scientific research was becoming more widely accepted. The scientific revolution led to crucial developments in the field of speech language pathology including phonetic and brain studies, technological advances, the development of psychological testing, and the study of child welfare.

The Study of Phonetics and the Brain

Elocutionists gradually developed a scientific approach to oration and speech therapy. This included utilizing speech sounds, delivery, and phonetic categories and a framework for conceptualizing domains and elements of speech pronunciation (Duchan, 2017).  Brain students were being performed by physicians who were diagnosing and treating those with aphasia and other speech language disorders (Duchan, 2017).

During this time, the different areas of the brain and their respective functions were being discovered, which led to a diagram or map of the brain centers and where the disconnections were that affected language, literacy and speech disorders. James Sonnet Greene was a laryngologist who focused on speech disorders. He used the brain diagram to identify speech “cluttering” and “agitographia”, or illegible writing due to missing letters and syllables (Duchan, 2017).

Greene associated speech language disorders with dysfunction of the nervous system and the brain in particular. He also identified the progression of speech and language development, where a person’s speech issues affect their ability to correctly write due to conceptual representation.

While some conditions were explained by the brain localizationists as originating from dissociations between cortical brain centers, others were seen originating from problems with or damage to a particular center (Duchan, 2011).  For example, an oral language disorder was related to the brain’s auditory word center, and literacy was related to the visual word center of the brain.

Among the Americans to use these concepts to account for speech, writing, or auditory impairments in children were Samuel Torrey Orton (1925), a psychiatrist working at the University of Iowa, and Mildred McGinnis (1929), a teacher/therapist working at Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis. W. L. Worcester (1896), a physician providing services to institutionalized adults at Danvers State Insane Asylum near Boston, reported on 15 cases whom he diagnosed as exhibiting word deafness (Duchan, 2011).  

Further advances in scientific research of the brain led to the identification of the right and left sections of the brain and how they each affect brain function. A psychiatrist by the name of Samuel Terry Orton related speech and language disorders to the dominance of one side of the brain over the other.

Technological Advances

The development of speech science led to further technological inventions and advances that improved the ability of speech language pathologists to measure various aspects of sound perception and production. Yale University established one of the first speech pathology laboratories to analyze different aspects of speech, language and hearing.

According to Duchan (2011) there were serval other notable technological advances that significantly influenced the development of speech language pathology:

Floyd Summer Muckey (1858-1930) was the first to give a working analysis of tone, to photograph a manometric flame recording and to take a photo of the vocal cords in action.

George Oscar Russell (1890-1962) invented a type of palatography—where dynamic movements of the tongue were revealed through bends in aluminum foil and developed a method for x-ray used for examining position of articulators in vowel production.

Carl Emil Seashore (1866-1949) invented and patented the following instruments: Iowa Pitch Range Audiometer, Tonoscope, Chronoscope, Time-sense apparatus, and Stimulus key.

Psychological testing

Further advances in psychological testing led to intelligence testing and quantifying one’s academic abilities. These tests included arithmetic, handwriting, spelling, drawing, reading and language ability. Although many of these tests had no actual scientific relativity to a person’s actual intelligence (not to mention racially biased), this type of testing would eventually be the basis for assessing speech language disorders and disabilities.

Child Study and Welfare

The child studies and child welfare movement led to advances in the identification and education of childhood development and the proper stages and milestones as related to speech and language development, in addition to other mental and physical developmental milestones. The University of Iowa was one of the first academic establishments focused on child development.

Rise of Professionalism

The emergence of professions in the United States also occurred in the 19 th century. Standards and qualifications and the definition of the nature and scope of various medical professions were developed and organized, which led to a more structured atmosphere for speech language pathologists and other health care professions.

Speech Correction

Speech correction emerged as its own individual profession, although its professionals typically practiced in other fields such as general medicine and psychology. The American Academy of Speech Correction was established in 1926 as a group of clinical and academic elites experienced in speech correction education and therapy.

The 20 th Century

In 1925-1926, the organization of speech disorder and speech correction professionals led to further establishment of the science and principles within the field. The 20 th century can be broken down into the Formative Years, the Processing Period, Linguistic Era and the Pragmatics Revolution.

The Formative Years (1900-1945) involved the development of terminology and treatments for speech language and literacy disorders, in addition to the classification of alalia (language and motor speech disorders arising from cerebral lesions or motor paralysis), paralalia (articulation disorders) and dyslalia (stuttering) (Duchan, 2011). The identification of lisping as a speech disorder led to the categorization of four types: negligent, organic, neurotic and cluttering.

A multitude of treatments, exercises and therapies emerged as speech and language disorders were more fully understood. In addition, the incidence, nature and therapy methods for treating children who stutter, and children with monotonous voices, with letter substitutions (articulation disorders), idioglossia, and a lack of speech were developed (Duchan, 2011). Speech issues experienced by children were identified as being caused by one or more of the following: mental deficiency, brain injury, digestive disorders or lack of parental reinforcement of speech development.

In 1928, Sara Stinchfield was the first person in the US to receive a PhD degree in speech pathology. Her research identified five speech habits associated with speech and language development: sound bombardment, sound imitation and sound and word sequencing. She developed a motor-kinesthetic approach to speech therapy that involved muscle exercises, among other exercises and practices.

 The Processing Period (1945 – 1965)

World War II led to significant advancements in all aspects of medicine and rehabilitation professions. During this period clinicians began to acknowledge that there was something else going on in speech besides perception and motor production of sounds, something variably dubbed symbol formation inner language, mediation and psycholinguistic processing (Duchan, 2011).

Kurt Goldstein was a neuropsychiatrist who studied brain injuries and aphasia as a language disorder as opposed to a speech disorder. Of particular relevance to Americans reading Goldstein were his ideas of symbol formation, his concept of concrete and abstract attitudes to account for literalness in aphasia, and his notion of inner speech, a level of language located in processing somewhere between perceived and motor speech (Duchan, 2011).

The Linguistic Era (1965 – 1975)

The Linguistic Era involved the developed of behavior medication programs dedicated to teaching language behavior, syntax assessment, and further advancements in research methodologies, articulation disorders and psycholingual advancements. With the termination of the second-world war there was a new emphasis on developing frameworks for conducting therapy with aphasic veterans, which was then gradually transferred to other patients and children with similar conditions or disorders (Duchan, 2011).

The Pragmatics Revolution (1975 – 2000)

Around 1975 emphasis began to shift from defining language in terms of form (syntax and phonology) and content (semantics) to defining language in terms of its use (Duchan, 2011). Groupings of communicative acts and functions, such as requests or greetings, and non-verbal aberrant behavior were further defined and incorporated into therapies.

Speech act theory helped to establish pragmatics as a clinical field involving structural linguistics, conversation, discourse genres, social interaction and event participation. In combination, these areas changed clinical practice so dramatically that their combined additions into assessment and intervention began to be called a "pragmatics revolution" (Duchan, 2011).

Communication therapy and the incorporation of social interactions into clinical therapies allowed for significant advances in the development of educational tools and curriculum-based therapy programs. Clinical services were now delivered in classrooms, homes and other community settings (Duchan, 2011).

How to Become a Speech Language Pathologist

An aspiring speech language pathologist must follow a specific educational path in order to become licensed to practice in this medical field. An undergraduate degree, graduate degree, and a clinical fellowship must be completed, in addition to passing a national examination for speech language pathology.

Undergraduate Degree

Some colleges and universities offer an undergraduate degree in communication science disorders, although this major is not a requirement to become a speech language pathologist. Other majors related to speech language pathology include communication, speech, or hearing sciences. It is recommended that any future speech language pathologist research accredited graduate programs to determine an appropriate undergraduate major.

Graduate Degree

Regardless of the state a speech language pathologist practices in, they must complete a graduate program in speech language pathology that is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CCA), which results in a master’s degree in speech pathology. Coursework in the graduate program may include voice articulation, phonology, literacy and neurological substrates. Some students may choose to specialize in early intervention, child and adolescent therapy or neurogenic disorders.

Also included in a speech pathology graduate program is clinical training. During the clinical education, students diagnose and treat patients under the supervision of a licensed speech language pathologist. In addition, students may choose to elect courses in a foreign language to improve their communication skills with patients who may not speak fluent English.

A clinical fellowship is not required for licensing in most states; however, it is required to become certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Certification is available in academic programs, clinical practice, continuing education and clinical specialty recognition.

Speech language pathologists who choose a sub-specialty field typically complete a fellowship in order to receive additional training and education to develop the required skills needed for a sub-specialty area.

Licensing and Certification

Speech language pathologists must possess a minimum of a graduate degree and pass the Praxis examination in order to become licensed in most of the United States, although the requirements may vary slightly by state. A speech language pathologist cannot legally evaluate or treat patients without a license. To become certified, a license must be maintained.

Many speech language pathologists are certified through the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Some hold dual certifications in speech language pathology and audiology. To become certified, a speech language pathologist must complete a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited college or university, pass the Praxis examination, and complete at least a 36-week clinical fellowship.

Job Prospects

Because of the high demand for speech-language pathology services, part-time, full-time, and PRN (literally, pro re nata—in medicine, on an "as needed" basis) opportunities may be available depending on location, desired facility, employment flexibility, and other factors (ASHA, 2017).  Salaries for speech language pathologists range between $70,000 and $93,000, although this may vary depending on experience and location. Administrative positions may earn a higher salary as well. Hourly pathology employees are paid a rate between $40 and $76 per hour.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a job growth of 21% by the year 2024, which is more than the average of all occupations. Most recent graduates are able to find employment shortly after obtaining their license. The predicted job growth is due to a variety of factors, including a rapidly increasing aging population, medical advances, growth in academia enrollments and an increasing demand for speech language pathologists in health care and private practice settings (ASHA, 2017).

Speech-language pathology requires attention to detail, specialized knowledge and skills and intense concentration. The emotional needs of clients and their families may also be demanding. This field enjoys flexibility of schedule and a variety of daily tasks and activities.

ASHA – American Speech and Hearing Association. Speech Language Pathologists. Retrieved October 20, 2017 from: https://www.asha.org/Students/Speech-Language-Pathologists/

Duchan, Judy. A History of Speech Language Pathology. 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2017 from: http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~duchan/new_history/overview.html

Study.com. How to become a speech language pathologist. 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017 from: http://study.com/articles/How_to_Become_a_Speech_Therapist_Education_and_Career_Information.html

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How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist

A career in speech-language pathology requires a master's degree and a clinical fellowship.

How to Become a Speech Pathologist

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Speech-language pathologists specialize in treating various speech impediments and addressing language comprehension difficulties.

Humans use their mouths and throats constantly, often unconsciously, to perform basic tasks like swallowing food or speaking aloud, so problems within this section of the body need to be addressed immediately and thoroughly.

Speech-language pathologists assist in these situations, and demand for their services is growing rapidly. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment within this profession will grow 25% through 2029, partly as a result of the aging American population and health ailments that are common among seniors that hinder talking and eating, such as strokes and Alzheimer's.

The median annual wage among U.S. speech-language pathologists in May 2020 was $80,480, according to the BLS, which notes that the usual entry-level academic credential within this field is a master's degree . Licensing requirements for this profession depend upon the state where a person practices, and many jobs within this field require national certification.

What Is Speech Pathology and What Does a Speech Pathologist Do?

The field of speech-language pathology encompasses much more than just communication disorders. The area of study also includes lessons about accent reduction and how to encourage children who are extremely picky eaters to consume food so that they are well-nourished, for example.

Speech-language pathologists specialize in treating various speech impediments and addressing language comprehension difficulties. They teach social skills to people with developmental disabilities, provide guidance to individuals with cognitive disorders and intervene when a person struggles to swallow food or beverages.

These clinicians routinely advise people who cannot hear well on how to understand others and express themselves, and they also show people who cannot speak how to communicate using picture boards and technological devices.

"Speech therapists help toddlers say 'mama' for the first time, assist teenagers who have a fluency disorder (stutter), and help adults who have suffered strokes be able to eat on their own again," Kassie Hanson, a Nebraska-based certified pediatric speech-language pathologist, wrote in an email.

Hanson recalls the beginning of her career and how working with a 2-year-old girl who was unable to talk solidified her career path. "After many sessions with the little girl, she said some of her very first words," Hanson says. "Just months later, she was talking in short phrases and sentences. Getting to help a little girl say her first words was life-changing and confirmed for me that I was in the right career!"

Steps to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-language pathologists recommend that people who want to join their field complete all of the following tasks:

• Pursue a bachelor's degree and take college courses that relate to speech-language pathology.
• Search for accredited speech-language pathology master's programs using the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's EdFind Tool .
• Gain relevant work experience and prepare a strong graduate school application with solid grades, essays and recommendation letters.
• Excel on the GRE General Test if the targeted graduate school considers GRE scores.
• Get into a master's program, ideally with a generous scholarship to reduce the cost.
• Obtain a master's degree in speech-language pathology.
• Complete a clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology.
• Take and pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology, a national test that assesses understanding of key content and current practices within the field.
• Secure a state license to practice independently if it is offered or required by your state.
• Get certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, or ASHA.

An undergraduate education in a related subject, such as communication sciences and disorders, may be mandatory for admission into a master's program in speech-language pathology, though academic prerequisites depend upon the graduate school, and some programs have a more flexible policy on college majors .

Speech-language pathology master's students learn about the many health conditions that can interfere with a person's ability to swallow, communicate or eat, including ailments that primarily affect children and diseases that are common among seniors.

Jolene Hyppa-Martin, an associate professor and a speech-language pathologist with the University of Minnesota—Duluth 's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, notes that master's programs in speech-language pathology generally include lessons about how people who are unable to talk can express themselves via various alternative and augmentative communication devices.

Hyppa-Martin, who has a Ph.D. in speech, language and hearing sciences, adds that speech pathology students often have coursework where they learn how to counsel patients.

Standards set by ASHA's Council on Academic Accreditation mandate that all entry-level speech-language pathology programs allow students to accumulate at least 400 hours of supervised clinical practice experience. These rules also require faculty at such programs to focus on teaching certain core values like accountability, concern for patients, cultural competence and professional duty.

Hawaii board-certified speech-language pathologist Julia Kuhn explains that speech-language pathologists are expected to do a clinical fellowship – which is usually a paid, entry-level job immediately after graduation – so they can supplement their broad academic training with hands-on experience in a particular focus area, such as swallowing disorders or pediatric language issues, before they practice independently within that specialty.

Isa Marrs, a board-certified speech-language pathologist in New York, says that licensure helps to ensure that speech-language pathologists are trained thoroughly enough to care for vulnerable people. "There are so many important things that you are doing in somebody's life that having the proper training is crucial," she says.

What It Is Like to Work as a Speech-Language Pathologist

Although other health care providers such as physicians and nurse practitioners tend to earn higher wages than speech-language pathologists, there are many perks to this profession, including a solid work-life balance and a strong sense of purpose, according to experts.

But Kuhn warns that there are some hassles that come with the territory of speech-language pathology, such as a reliance on government payouts from social welfare programs like Medicare, which occasionally reduce compensation rates substantially.

Another downside to the field is the heavy caseloads that many speech-language pathologists carry, Kuhn says. Pathologists may feel frustrated by a limited amount of upward mobility since they rarely ascend to management positions, and their pay rates don't necessarily increase steadily over the course of their career, she notes.

An interest in social interaction is necessary to enjoy a career in this field, Kuhn says, as is genuine enjoyment of therapy sessions, which encompass the majority of a pathologist's workday.

Most speech-language pathologists emphasize the meaningful nature of their work. Marrs notes that there is a particular satisfaction that comes from teaching a person with a lisp to speak in a way that makes the individual feel proud rather than self-conscious.

She recalls teaching a child with autism how to chew so he could eat food that wasn't pureed. "When we accomplished that, it opened up so much for this child, as far as learning how to eat things other than baby food," Marrs says.

Hyppa-Martin says she uses voice banking tools to record those who will lose their voices due to degenerative health conditions. The software programs produce simulations of patients' voices and can be used to converse with others. Hyppa-Martin notes that one of her former clients who had a terminal illness was able to use voice bank technology to deliver a speech at his oldest daughter's wedding before his death.

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Huntsville Office:

        (256) 533-331 4

        1106 Gleneagles Dr SW Huntsville, AL 35801

Center for Speech and Language Pathology, LLC

In our life cycle, each means of achievement and advancement depend often on the value of a person's speech and language skills. 

Still, are you aware that one in six persons in America endures some type of speech and language impairment?

Unsolved, communication disorders can adversely affect the emotional, academic, vocational and social qualities of one's life.

Get in Touch

The Center for Speech & Language strives to equip families to actively participate in their family member’s steps to improved communication.

The Center for Speech & Language provides therapy in a private setting with experienced therapists who structure therapy plans for individuals according to their specific needs.

Each therapist at CSL holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association and is licensed by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology.

The Center for Speech and Language’s staff is dedicated to our patients, both when building skills and recovering from the loss of skills.

Child Speech Pathology

We love working with you so you can see the transformation that it makes in the life of your child. An evaluation usually consist of a variety of prescribed standardized assessments including play-based activities and standardized assessments.

Teen Speech Pathology

Adolescents with speech disorders struggle with education and using verbal language. This effects their skill to complete spoken & written tasks at school. A screening can help better understand if an evaluation or therapy is needed.

Adult Speech Pathology

We also cater to adults who need speech therapy or help with voice or swallowing disorders. Our Speech Pathologists assist individuals with language disorders including those related to cerebral palsy, neurologic disorders, traumatic brain injury or stroke.

What Our Clients Say

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Dr. tom wright, “growing communication skills for life”, knowing what to do is simple., truly, doing it is more difficult..

Our individual speech therapy is provided by experienced therapists with a goal of communication changes that will impact everyday activities.

Contact Center for Speech

Get in touch with us.

"Growing Communication Skills for Life"

Address:  

1106 Gleneagles Dr SW

Huntsville, AL 35801

Phone : (256) 533-3314

Fax : (256) 533-3384

eMail: [email protected]

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Becoming A Speech-Language Pathologist: Education, Duties, Salary

Learn what it takes to become a speech language pathologist and the career opportunities you can pursue in this rewarding profession.

Becoming a speech-language pathologist typically requires a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and a passing score on a licensure exam. Many states expect prospective speech-language pathologists to complete a Clinical Fellowship (CF) experience as a bridge from graduate student to professional. Most Professional Certificate programs and employers also require this type of experience. 

As a speech-language pathologist, you’ll work with individuals who struggle with communication, speaking, listening, or hearing. You may also work with people who have swallowing disorders. A speech-language pathologist’s job is to both diagnose and treat. Your salary will vary by where you work, your location, years of experience, and any certifications you earn. 

What exactly is Speech-Language Pathology?

Speech-language pathology is the study of disorders in human communication, as well as all of the various ways that humans communicate. Researchers in the field aim to discover effective treatment methods for communication and oral motor disorders involving the mouth and throat. These disorders can affect a person's ability to pronounce words correctly, share ideas, follow generally accepted conversation rules, organize thoughts, and more. Some people are born with a speech-language disorder, while others may result from an external trigger like a traumatic brain injury, stroke, or autism spectrum disorder. 

What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do Day-To-Day?

Speech-language pathologists diagnose, assess, develop and execute individualized treatment plans for people experiencing communication problems involving speech and language or swallowing disorders that affect the ability to eat and drink properly. These health care professionals work with individuals who suffer from language or speech problems and swallowing disorders. A speech-language pathologist may work with various age groups, from newborns to the elderly. They may also work with a wide range of speech, language, and swallowing/feeding disorders that may result from developmental delay, physical deformation, cognitive disorders, injury, illness, aging, or mental/emotional disorders. 

Identify speech, language, or swallowing difficulties.

A large part of what a speech-language pathologist does is identifying and diagnosing speech, language, and swallowing difficulties. A speech-language pathologist may use informal methods like observation, interviewing, or completion of analog tasks to identify speech and language disorders and problems. Sometimes they use formal tools and techniques that may involve standardized assessments, such as the Cognitive Linguistic Quick Test or the Monroe-Sherman test.

The speech pathologist will choose their method based on a person’s age, cultural background and values, and the severity of the concerns in question. Most speech-language pathologists begin with an initial assessment that involves a blend of testing and evaluation of voice quality and a physical examination of the mouth. Swallowing disorders may be caused by neurological disorders, stroke, and even dental problems. Speech-language pathologists can help identify and treat swallowing difficulties by physically examining the muscles used for swallowing. This examination usually involves the patient performing specific movements and swallowing substances to assess their swallowing ability. 

Provide treatment options

After identifying the problem and offering a diagnosis, a speech-language pathologist puts together a treatment plan. But how does a speech-language pathologist know what will work for treating the condition and the individual? A speech-language pathologist works with people regularly, often working through difficult situations where a person may become frustrated. You must know your client and understand the best methods and approaches to help them. 

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the act of making informed and evidence-based decisions using your knowledge as a trained professional and best practices found in published studies and research. You also may consider individual observations you’ve conducted and the cultural values and the expectations of your client and their families or caregivers. When a speech-language pathologist develops a treatment plan, it’s best to use EBP to create a program that is mindful of the patient's needs and all of the options to help that patient reach their goal. 

Help individuals cope with speech disorders.

Speech disorders can be a frustrating experience. People who suffer from communication disorders may experience social anxiety, loneliness, problems at work, embarrassment, and even depression. This means that those with language and speech disorders may need additional support beyond a plan of treatment to deal with the frustration and setbacks they may experience.

Speech-language pathologists may act as counselors when working with patients who become overwhelmed, frustrated, sad, or angry. Their work can include helping patients with the thoughts, behaviors, and reactions related to the communication disorder. Some ways a speech-language pathologist can help individuals cope with speech disorders include: 

Help your patient find a counselor or therapist with experience helping people with speech disorders.

Create a relaxed environment when working with the patient.

Inform the family and caregivers on helpful ways to communicate with your patient (i.e., don’t interrupt, reduce background noise, and ask them what would be helpful).

Use restating and reflection when a patient becomes frustrated. Repeat what they say back to them and try to clarify with the patient what they mean and how you can help.

Try to identify negative thoughts when working with your patient and tease those out to discuss the validity of those thoughts.

Refer your patient to peer groups or support groups in your area.

Teach self-advocacy skills so that your patient can better communicate what they need and feel more confident.

Teach people how to build and maintain fluency 

People who struggle with stuttering or similar problems have trouble speaking smoothly at a normal rate of speed, also known as fluency. Sometimes when a patient has suffered a stroke or has some other neurological condition, they may also have trouble with fluency. Speech-language pathologists may use techniques like breathing exercises, syllable stretching, and strategies like speaking in shorter sentences to help their patients speak confidently and avoid hesitations and filler words in conversation. 

Essential Skills of a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

Speech-language pathologists must possess several critical skills, including active listening and compassion. These health care professionals work with many people from different backgrounds, ages, and with differing needs or disorders. Some essential speech-language pathologist qualifications include:

Active listening

Critical thinking

Decision-making

Adaptability

Verbal and written communication

Time management

Dependability

Education and licensing requirements

You must have your master’s degree in speech pathology, and pass the Praxis exam, to become a speech-language pathologist. With your graduate degree, you can complete your clinical fellowship (CF) experience, obtain state licensure, and earn certifications. 

Read more: How to Get a Master's Degree

Bachelor's Degree in a related field

Your first step to becoming a speech-language pathologist is to earn your bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) or a related field. Other common majors for speech-language pathologists include linguistics, social science, psychology, English, language development, and education. 

Read more: Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree: What It Is and How to Earn One

If you have your degree in a field unrelated to speech pathology, you may need to take additional coursework for entry into a graduate program. 

Master's in Speech-Language Pathology

When choosing a graduate degree program, be sure you find a program that the Council of Academic Accreditation accredits in Audiology and Speech Pathology (CAA). ASHA provides a list of accredited schools if you need help. 

As part of your master’s program, you can expect to learn evidence-based treatments and methodology for communication disorders and swallowing disorders, cognitive aspects of communication, speech sound production, and the ability to detect abnormal human development. You will also learn a lot about ethics and ASHA’s code of ethics. 

Aside from your coursework, you’ll also be expected to complete at least 400 hours of a clinical practicum and supervised clinical experience in the field. Most programs take about two years to complete in full.

Passing the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology

You’ll need to pass the Praxis exam in speech-language pathology to gain state licensure and earn any certifications post-graduate school. This exam is crucial as it allows you to demonstrate proficiency in critical technical skills needed to be an effective speech pathologist. 

To be eligible to take the exam, you must have graduated from a master’s program in speech pathology. The Praxis is scored by ASHA’s Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC), and passing scores are determined by state licensing boards and ASHA. Note that score requirements may vary by state and differ from ASHA’s requirements for earning CCC-SLP certification. 

Professional Certificates

When you’ve satisfied all educational requirements to become a speech-language pathologist, you’ll likely be looking for a mentor to complete your Clinical Fellowship (CF). In some states, a mentor is required to get licensed as a speech-language pathologist; it’s also a requirement if you’re applying for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) certification. Many board-certified specialty certifications will also require the completion of a CF. 

A CF is a 36-week mentored internship experience that allows new graduates to gain professional experience before starting on their own as speech-language pathologists. You’ll likely spend around 80 percent of your time in direct clinical contact working with clients and the remainder in continuing education opportunities like training, conferences, or other related experiences. 

If you want to specialize in a particular area or work with a specific demographic, consider earning a board-certified specialty (BCS) certification approved by ASHA. Specialty certifications are available through the following specialty certification boards: 

American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders 

American Audiology Board of Intraoperative Monitoring 

American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders 

American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders 

You can also find specialty certifications through other organizations that advocate for specific disorders. 

Getting Started with Your Career

When you’re ready to start your career as a speech-language pathologist, find a CF mentor in a work environment where you see yourself working for years to come. If you need help deciding where you’d like to work as a speech-language pathologist, who you’d like to work with, or what disorders you want to focus on, consider networking with people in the field and researching your options. Building relationships early in your career has many benefits. 

Get Clinical Experience

Your clinical experience as a clinical fellow can be an invaluable tool for helping you aim the trajectory of your career as a speech-language pathologist. This experience acts as a bridge from student to professional. Take full advantage of this experience. Try to choose a mentor working in a similar area to you that which you want as a speech pathologist. If you plan to work with children, look for school clinical experiences. If you're going to work with neurological disorders or people recovering from a stroke, look for opportunities in hospitals or nursing homes.  

Network With People In The Field

Networking with people in speech pathology can be an effective way to find employment or just to learn more about the field and create relationships with like-minded professionals who may help you get your career started. You can network through social media or LinkedIn, attend networking events and conferences, or reach out via email or other means of communication. Professional speech-language pathology groups also offer meet-ups either online or in person.

How Much Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Earn?

A speech-language pathologist working in the US earns an average of $79,060 a year, or about $38.01 an hour. As of 2020, this average is reflective of all of the 158,100 jobs available [1] . Factors like certifications, location, work schedule, and the employer will affect a speech-language pathologist’s salary.

Typical Salary Ranges In Different Jobs

Speech-language pathologists may work in medical facilities like hospitals, private physician offices, nursing homes, schools, or as self-employed freelancers. 

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are among the highest paying employers of speech-language pathologists, earning an average of $99,340 Educational facilities like schools are among the lower-paying employers offering an average annual salary of about $75,270 a year [2] . 

There is not as much data on the annual salary for self-employed speech-language pathologists. Since these individuals make their own schedules, the earning potential is up to them. However, if you want to work as a freelance speech-language pathologist, consider that a number of factors will impact your earning. A large, loyal client base and offering in-home care, online sessions, or other more convenient ways to receive therapy can affect how much you can earn. 

Job Outlook

Speech-language pathologists can enjoy an optimistic job outlook for at least the next ten years. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects average job growth of 29 percent from 2020 to 2030 for the profession [3] . This growth rate is above average. A few reasons for this exceptional growth include an aging population, increased awareness of communication and neurologic disorders in childhood, and medical advances in cognitive disorders resulting from illness or injury.   

Next Steps to Becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist

Take the next steps to become a speech-language pathologist by researching the profession and finding out what you’d like to do within the field. Do you want to work with children? Senior citizens? Stroke survivors? As you earn your formal education as a prospective speech pathologist, consider enrolling in courses that may help you learn more about the field and your options. On Coursera, you’ll find courses specifically designed for future and current professionals in language and audiology, like Voice Disorders:What Patients and Professionals Need to Know or Introduction to Hearing Loss . Be proactive and learn as much as you can, whether in the middle of your journey to becoming a speech-language pathologist or just getting started.

How long does a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology take? ‎

A master’s program in speech-language pathology typically takes about two years to complete or about 48 academic credit hours. This includes at least 350 to 400 hours of supervised clinical experience. Certain factors like academic credit requirements and program structure may affect this timeline. ‎

Is the Praxis Exam hard? ‎

The Praxis exam in speech-language pathology tests your subject matter on various topics within speech-language and audiology. You can take practice tests and obtain free test prep materials from the ETS website, which administers the test. Take advantage of these resources to prepare for the difficulty of the Praxis. ‎

Does it matter what bachelor's degree I choose? ‎

Yes. If you know you want to become a speech-language pathologist, you should earn a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences disorders (CSD). Many graduate programs require this major, and you may have to take additional coursework if your degree is in an unrelated field. Choosing the appropriate bachelor’s degree program can also be beneficial when you start looking to earn a master’s degree in this field.  ‎

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Article sources 

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ Occupational Outlook Handbooks Speech-Language Pathologists Summar y, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-1 .” Accessed April 16, 2022.  

2. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ Occupational Outlook Handbooks Speech-Language Pathologists Work Environment ,  https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-5.” Accessed April 16, 2022. 

3. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ Occupational Outlook Handbooks Speech-Language Pathologists Job Outlook , https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-6 .” Accessed April 16, 2022.

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Coursera staff.

Editorial Team

Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

National Stuttering Association

Speech therapy can play an instrumental role in helping a person who stutters learn techniques to gain greater comfort in speaking. Selecting a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is an important and highly individual decision. As a resource, the NSA ® provides websites and information for you to use when searching for a SLP.

It’s important to note, there is no “best” method of speech therapy for stuttering. While most treatment approaches help people who stutter, no single method works for everyone, regardless of the advertising claims for some therapies. Research shows that people who stutter see the most successful treatment outcomes when:

• The clinician is experienced in working with people who stutter; and
• The clinician and client have a “therapeutic alliance” that enables them to work well together.

The NSA highly recommends you speak with potential SLPs and ask about their experience and comfort level with people who stutter, their treatment approaches, and their expected outcomes after therapy. Often, the specific questions you ask are not as important as your level of confidence that the SLP is the right one for you. Many SLPs will offer a consultation prior to initiating therapy in which you can ask questions and gauge your own comfort level in working with this professional.

Speech-Language Pathologist Referral List

Specialty board on fluency disorders.

www.StutteringSpecialists.org The Specialty Board on Fluency Disorders maintains a list of SLPs who have advanced training in stuttering and meet peer-reviewed standards as board-recognized specialists. They also offer tips on choosing an SLP and specific questions to ask to help you select the right therapist.

NOTE: The NSA does not warrant the competency of these speech-language pathologists nor guarantee the effectiveness of their treatment. As with any referral, speak with the professional and ask questions.

Other Resources

Stuttering programs and camps.

The NSA maintains a list of workshops, intensive programs, camps, summer classes, and programs for people who stutter of all ages. (We do our best to keep this list as updated as possible.)

NSA Local Chapters

WeStutter.org/Chapters The NSA has an extensive network of local chapters for Adults, Families, Teens and Kids across the United States. These chapters meet monthly and provide community and self-help support for people who stutter. The purpose of these local NSA chapters is to be a judgement-free place for people who stutter to share their stuttering experience with other people who stutter.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

www.asha.org American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is a professional credentialing association for speech-language pathologists, audiologists and hearing scientists. ASHA has helpful advice about obtaining reimbursement for stuttering treatment.

Spero Stuttering, Inc.

www.sperostuttering.org The vision of Spero Stuttering, Inc. is to help, empower, and advocate for the stuttering community and their families by equipping those who work with people who stutter. The annual NSA conference is a perfect opportunity for SLPs to connect with and learn from people who stutter. Did you know that Spero has stipends available for SLPs to attend training and connection opportunities like the NSA conference? Apply today by going to Funding Opportunities at https://www.sperostuttering.org/ally . If you have any questions, email Ana Paula Mumy at [email protected] .

NSA National Office

If needed, the NSA can offer further assistance in helping you find an SLP in your area. Contact us at [email protected] or by phone at 1.800.WeStutter.