About Speech-Language Pathology

What is a Speech-Language Pathologist?

Certified and licensed speech-language pathologists (SLP) are the professionals who identify, evaluate and treat a wide range of speech, language, cognitive, voice and swallowing disorders. Qualified speech-language pathologists are those who hold a Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) awarded from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). ASHA is a national professional organization that outlines qualifications, guidelines, codes of ethics, and position statements for practicing speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech and hearing scientists, along with providing graduate school accreditation and a variety of ongoing professional activities, support, and courses for continuing education. Individuals who hold a CCC have attained a Master's Degree or higher, meet stringent coursework requirements, have completed supervised clinical experience (graduate level and Clinical Fellowship Year - CFY), and have passed a national examination. In addition to national recognition and certification, California speech-language pathologists are licensed by the state Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board, after meeting the education and required professional experience (RPE) mandates set by the state. This license allows them to work independently in a private practice, if they choose, and most employers (universities, hospitals, clinics, schools) require their hired speech-language pathologists to be licensed. Both national certification and state licensure must be annually or biennially renewed, accomplished by attendance at approved conferences which issue continuing education units (CEU). CEU indicate that the professional is staying current with developing practice and research. Some speech-language pathologists also hold credentials issued by the California Commission of Teaching Credentialing, based on specific additional required graduate coursework completion and continuing education. Credentials are typically renewed every five years. Many speech-language-pathologists belong to the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSHA), whose goals are similar to those of ASHA, focusing on the needs of professionals and the public working and living in various districts throughout the state.

What disorders does a Speech-Language-Pathologist assess and treat?

Articulation -- correct production of sounds of the language.

Language -- comprehension and expression of spoken language, effectively communicating thoughts, experiences, feelings, needs.

Stuttering -- speaking dysfluently, with unwanted sound and word breaks, along with hesitations and repetitions.

Voice -- includes vocal parameters of pitch, loudness, resonance, contour, pacing, syllable/word stress; heard as too high/low, hoarse, breathy, nasal.

Aphasia -- a language disorder resulting from stroke, brain injury, drug use, or various neurological problems.

Dysarthria & Apraxia -- speech production disorders usually associated with stroke or progressive diseases such as Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis.

Cognitive-Linguistic -- disorders of thinking, organization, executive functioning, memory, social/communication behavior associated with head trauma or stroke.

Swallowing -- also known as Dysphagia; neurological, mechanical or aerodigestive disorders of chewing and swallowing, and obtaining adequate nutrition.

Disclaimer
If you think you have a MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY or go to the nearest hospital. DO NOT attempt to access emergency care through this web site. An emergency medical condition is a medical or psychiatric condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in any of the following: serious jeopardy to your health, serious impairment to your bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. An emergency medical condition is also "active labor," which means a labor when there is inadequate time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery or if a transfer poses a threat to the health of the member or unborn child.

This site may contain links to other web sites outside of www.permanente.net. Kaiser Permanente has no control over the content or the availability of these sites, and is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites. Web links are provided as an educational tool, and should not be relied upon for personal diagnosis or treatment. A link or reference to a web site should not be construed as an endorsement of the site or its contents. Any medical content that you feel may be important to your health should always be discussed with your Kaiser Permanente physician.