Rehabilitation Services

Newspaper Column

Since 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has celebrated Better Hearing and Speech Month each May to raise public awareness of speech and language disorders that affect 14 million Americans.

Talk is not cheap. Ask the person with a speech or language disorder. They have to work everyday just to express their needs, wants, and ideas. Speech and language problems can affect anyone of any age at any time. Young children can have a language delay that limits early learning. Older people may have aphasia following a stroke, a condition that leaves them unable to express themselves appropriately. People of all ages can stutter or have problems with their voice.

Speech and language problems are serious. They isolate us from other people and frustrate our efforts to learn and grow. No one has to accept a speech or language problem. Proper treatment can minimize or eliminate its impact. This is where the speech-language pathologist (SLP) or speech therapist comes in.

When someone says the words, “speech therapist,” what comes to mind? Teaching someone to talk is most likely the answer. Actually, teaching someone to talk is just a portion of the SLP’s job. Here are a few other areas that the SLP specializes in:

· Evaluating and treating speech deficits: this is someone who may have slurred speech following a stroke or other illness. The SLP can teach a person with slurred speech how to improve the quality of speech and help the person to be better understood.

· Evaluation and treatment of cognitive or thinking deficits: an SLP can evaluate a person’s cognitive ability in areas such as memory, problem solving, safety, and household and money management. Should the person have problems in any of these areas, the SLP can provide treatment to improve these areas.

· Evaluation and treatment of persons with difficulty expressing themselves or understanding communication, typically following a stroke or other illness. This includes problems with reading, writing, speaking, and following directions.

· Evaluation and treatment of persons with swallowing problems, voice problems (such as vocal nodules), and problems with stuttering.

The above list primarily describes the SLP’s job in the adult population. SLP’s who work with children have a completely different list of responsibilities!

Speech-language pathologists hold at least a master’s degree and are certified by ASHA, and in Arkansas, licensed by the state. SLP’s work in schools, private practice, hospitals, clinics, and other health and education settings.

Fortunately, most people with speech and language problems can be helped. Even if the problem cannot be eliminated, people can be taught strategies to help them cope. They may not fully regain their capacity to speak and understand, but an SLP can help them live more independently.

If you or a loved one suffer from any communication impairment, don’t hesitate to contact your physician. Or call HSC Rehab at 332-7020 to speak with a speech pathologist.

April Watson, M. A.,CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with HSC Medical Center.