Speech-language pathologists, also called SLPs, are experts in communication.

Speech-language pathologists work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. They work with patients on a broad range of physical and cognitive communication disorders: issues with articulation, stuttering, word finding, semantics, syntax, phonics, vocalization, and swallowing.

Speech-language pathologists treat people of all ages, from infancy to geriatric populations. They’re trained to help patients with problems in three main areas: speech, language, and other related disorders.

Speech Issues

Speech disorders happen when a person has difficulty producing speech sounds correctly or fluently or has problems with their voice or resonance. SLPs help clients work on speech-related issues such as fluency (how sounds, syllables, words, and phrases flow together when speaking quickly), voice (difficulties including hoarseness caused by nodules or polyps on the vocal folds and abnormal pitch), and articulation (substitution of one sound for another, slurring of speech, or indistinct speech).

Language Problems

Language disorders include when a person has trouble understanding what others say (receptive language), or communicating their own thoughts, ideas, and feelings (expressive language). Language disorders may be spoken or written and may involve the form, content, and/or use of language in both functional and social situations. Speech-language pathologists treat language disorders such as aphasia (inability to understand or produce language due to brain damage), language-based learning disabilities (affecting listening, reading, writing, and reasoning), and pragmatic-based difficulties (difficulty understanding social cues and communication rules).

Related Disorders

Related disorders are usually treated in conjunction with other healthcare team members. These disorders can include social communication disorders (occur when a person has trouble with the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication, like that of autism spectrum disorder), swallowing disorders (dysphagia causing poor nutrition, social isolation and unhealthy weight loss), hearing loss, and cognitive-communication disorders (issues organizing thoughts, paying attention, remembering, etc., which usually happen as a result of a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or dementia).

When it comes to speech-language pathology, a lot of people usually picture speech therapists who work in a school with young children. While schools are, of course, a significant employer of SLPs, it’s important to recognize that speech-language pathologists can work in many different settings performing a wide range of roles. The variety and flexibility in the field creates a dynamic range of responsibilities attached to each setting. Some of the most common employment settings for speech-language pathologists include:

Educational facilities

For SLPs who work in pre-K-12 institutions, their work primarily focuses on early intervention and providing services to students during the school day. Their tasks include conducting diagnostic assessments and evaluations, working with children with disabilities, and providing various services related to reading, writing, speaking, and listening to individual students or groups. SLPs are also employed in special needs classrooms in support of the general education curriculum. Speech-language pathologists employed in educational settings will also play an active role in generating Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students, coordinating with other professionals, and more.

Hospitals

SLPs working in hospitals may help evaluate patients after traumatic injuries, accidents, or other conditions to diagnose communication, language, or swallowing disorders. They will also provide direct treatment and may generate treatment plans for the patients. SLPs in hospital settings also play an important role in educating patients and their families about communication, language, and swallowing disorders.

Residential healthcare facilities

Residential healthcare facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities can be another setting that employs speech-language pathologists. According to ASHA, 10 percent of all SLPs will work in residential health care facilities, where they cater to the elderly and those who are recovering from various medical ailments such as stroke. In these settings. patients under their care often require additional support and oversight, as they may be suffering or recovering from more serious medical conditions.

Private practice

SLPs who work in private practice are self-employed, running their own clinics, or employed by a private practice. They provide services to clients while unaffiliated with a particular educational institution or health care facility. Though some in private practice may specialize in providing care to a specific patient population, others do not specialize. Running a private practice will require an SLP to have proficiency in business skills such as accounting, marketing, and more.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a speech-language pathologist was $79,060 in 2021. However, salaries for SLPs vary significantly depending on work experience, educational level, and job setting, including the state that the SLP practices in. ASHA’s 2021 Annual Salary Report states that the West was the U.S. region with the highest median salary, $90,000. Additionally, SLPs with 25 or more years of experience received a median salary of $95,000.

The projected growth for SLP jobs is 29% from 2020 to 2030, which is much faster than the national average of all occupations. With the rising demand for an estimated 45,400 new speech-language pathologists in the next ten years, it’s clear that a career in speech-language pathology is an excellent choice in a growing field.