Speech-language pathology
Speech-language pathology
Speech-language pathology (pronounced: /ˈspiːtʃ ˈleɪŋɡwɪdʒ pəˈθɒlədʒi/) is a field of expertise practiced by a clinician known as a speech-language pathologist (SLP), also sometimes referred to as a speech and language therapist or a speech therapist.
Etymology
The term "speech-language pathology" is derived from the three key areas of focus within the field: "speech", "language", and "pathology". "Speech" refers to the physical production of sounds, "language" refers to the cognitive processing of linguistic information, and "pathology" refers to the study of disease or disorder.
Overview
Speech-language pathology is concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of speech disorders, language disorders, swallowing disorders, and related areas such as cognitive-communication disorders and voice disorders.
Related Terms
- Speech disorder: A speech disorder involves a problem producing speech sounds, which can make it hard to communicate with others. Speech disorders include articulation disorders, fluency disorders, and resonance or voice disorders.
- Language disorder: A language disorder is a significant delay in the use or understanding of spoken or written language. The disorder may involve the form of language (phonology, morphology, syntax), the content of language (semantics), and/or the function of language in communication (pragmatics).
- Swallowing disorder: Swallowing disorders, also called dysphagia, can occur at different stages in the swallowing process. These disorders can be serious and lead to malnutrition, dehydration, respiratory infections, and even death.
- Cognitive-communication disorder: Cognitive-communication disorders are problems with communication that have an underlying cause in a cognitive deficit rather than a primary language or speech deficit.
- Voice disorder: Voice disorders are medical conditions involving abnormal pitch, loudness or quality of the sound produced by the larynx and thereby affecting speech production.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Speech-language pathology
- Wikipedia's article - Speech-language pathology
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