Health Care Team (HCT)

A Speech-Language Pathologist is a professional who is educated and trained to assess and treat speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders.

Speech-Language Pathologists certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) hold a master’s or doctoral degree. They have earned a certain number of hours from an accredited program in communication sciences and disorders. They have completed a minimum number of hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology in clinical observation and in direct client/patient contact. In addition, they have passed a national examination and completed a supervised clinical fellowship.

Certified Speech-Language Pathologists practice independently.

In health care settings, Speech-Language Pathologists provide and document screenings, assessments, and treatments for individuals with speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing problems. They may perform instrumental assessments, such as videofluoroscopic swallowing studies, in collaboration with radiologists. They may also perform endoscopy or other procedures as part of the assessment of voice and swallowing disorders. Treatment may be provided individually or in groups. Speech-Language Pathologists participate in team and family conferences and collaborate with other professionals, including physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and social workers. They may also conduct research.

In a health care setting, a Speech-Language Pathologist is consulted by the referring physician when a patient exhibits speech, language, cognitive-communication, or swallowing difficulties. This may be determined by routine screenings, incoming reports, or medical evaluations. In some cases, patients may self-refer for evaluation by a Speech-Language Pathologist or be referred by an external source, such as an early intervention agency.