Ask an Expert: My Speech is Fine, Why Do I Need to See a Speech-Language Pathologist?

My speech is fine, why do I need to see a Speech-Language Pathologist?

A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) works with individuals from birth to end of life while focusing on swallowing, voice, communication, and cognitive disorders as well as enhancing speech skills.

An individual may be referred to a SLP because:

• Their voice is not as strong as it used to be and they are unable to communicate with loved ones at a family gathering.
• They may begin to experience difficulty while chewing their favorite food and/or coughing while drinking a glass of water.
• They may have difficulty recalling the birthdays of their family members.
• They are unable to express their thoughts to participate in a meaningful conversation.

A Speech-Language Pathologist aims to enhance an individual’s quality of life to participate in daily activities that require more than just their speech.