What does an SLP even do?

The field is growing fast, but examples of how we can help our communities (and who might benefit from our services) isn’t always common knowledge. Maybe you are a parent whose child just got referred to a speech therapist, or maybe you are a student assessing career options. Keep reading for a quick summary of what to expect out of the field of speech language pathology. 

Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) are certified to treat people of all ages for a very wide range of areas related to speech, language, stuttering, communication, social skills, executive functioning, reading, feeding, swallowing, voice, and so much more. 

Speech language pathologists are required to obtain a masters degree and remain certified with the American Speech Language Hearing Association, which includes completing continuing education throughout the year. The national accrediting body, ASHA, specifies what is considered an SLP’s “scope of practice.”

Some therapists remain generalists (think of your public school speech therapist who treats all students, regardless of diagnosis) while others hone in on special interests (e.g., Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, feeding, stuttering, etc.). Some stick with assessment and treatment, while others offer parent coaching, professional consultation, educational consultation, camps and intensives, seminars, and create therapy resources. We can provide these services in settings such as schools, daycares, support groups, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, private clinics, etc.

Stay tuned for information about the difference between scope of practice and scope of competence. 

Takeaway: Speech language pathology is an amazingly diverse and broad field. It provides so many opportunities for clinicians to find and practice what they are passionate about. It also requires many SLPs to be intentional with their time (think continuing education hours) in order to really hone their skills in a particular area.