The Speech-Language Pathologist has the ability to study, analyze, understand, and intervene therapeutically and pedagogically in the various alterations that can occur in the processes of human communication. In this regard, they address difficulties and disorders affecting voice, articulation, speech, and oral, written, and non-verbal language. Therefore, they comprehensively evaluate human communication, speech, or language disorders, both in comprehension and expression, and apply various re-education techniques.
To carry out the aforementioned, the speech-language pathologist knows and masters the theoretical and practical components of the discipline, is critical, research-oriented, stays updated on the latest trends, and manages communication and information technologies.
It should be noted that, to mention the functions implicit in the professional practice of the speech-language pathologist, one must reference the etymological origin of the word logopedia (speech-language pathology), which comes from Greek, logos, meaning word, and paideia, education; therefore, speech-language pathology, known in Latin America as Language Therapy, is the scientific study of communication disorders, language, speech, voice, and pronunciation, whose field of action is to re-educate by preventing, enhancing, evaluating, and facilitating the global treatment of motor and sensory capacities that improve the communicative process. (Nolla and Tàpias, 2015).
Functions of a Speech-Language Pathologist
The functions of a speech-language pathologist are performed by the specialist in speech-language pathology, in early intervention centers, pediatric speech-language pathology centers, and educational centers, serving the child and adolescent population, intervening in the development of the communicative abilities necessary for their development. Likewise, their work extends to health centers in the areas of phoniatrics, otolaryngology, maxillofacial surgery, neurology, brain injury rehabilitation, neonatal and pediatric services, neuropediatrics, psychiatry, psychology, rehabilitation, geriatrics, oncology, intensive care units, among others (Gómez Taibo, 2020).
From the above, it is inferred that the speech-language pathologist employs educational practices; that is, they re-educate individuals by applying techniques for the stimulation, prevention, detection, and diagnosis of difficulties that arise in disorders or deficiencies, on the one hand, in the voice that makes speech possible, the reception of sounds and their audibility; and, on the other hand, the comprehension and expression of oral, written, and sign language.
In this sense, the speech-language pathologist intervenes in communication, language, and speech alterations therapeutically and pedagogically throughout the entire life cycle, that is, from infancy to adulthood. Among their functions, stimulation, prevention, evaluation and diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, counseling, and continuous research and training can be highlighted.
According to Peña-Casanova (2014), among the disorders or deficiencies that fall within the competence of the Speech-Language Pathologist are: in speech, articulation disorders: dyslalias, apraxia of speech, dysarthria, dysglossias, and fluency disorders, such as dysphemia (stuttering). Regarding voice disorders: voice education, dysphonia disorders, respiration, and resonance disorders are addressed.
Professional Field of the Speech-Language Pathologist
In this vein, the Language Therapist intervenes in the comprehension and expression of language: phonetics, phonology, morphosyntax, semantics, pragmatics, language delay, dyslexia, aphasia, specific language impairment (SLI), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), language disorders in intellectual disability, and pervasive developmental disorders (PDD).
Similarly, among the care offered by the specialist are deficiencies originating from human cognition, such as attention, memory, disorders associated with degenerative processes, communication deterioration due to aging, infectious neurodegenerative disorders, and dementias. They also address structural disorders related to verbal and non-verbal orofacial functions, such as respiration, the feeding process which includes: chewing, sucking, swallowing, and dysphagia, phonation, and articulation.
Similarly, they have knowledge of hearing: auditory perception, language, speech, and voice difficulties due to presbycusis, conductive, and sensorineural hearing loss; programming and utilization of appropriate technical aids for each case.
To carry out their professional practice, the therapist relies on other professions that, in an interdisciplinary way, act on communication, language, speech, and voice disorders, improving or curing the presented health condition through comprehensive intervention, such as: the otolaryngologist, the phoniatrician, the neurologist, the psychologist, the psychiatrist, the physical therapist, the pedagogue, the neuropsychologist, the orthodontist, the pediatrician, the maxillofacial surgeon, and the linguist (Peña-Casanova, 2014).
As a result of current societal trends, generated by almost immediate access to the latest advances in communication, science, and technology, the global population tends to follow a prevention model rather than a cure model. Therefore, the Language Therapist has expanded their work to include the care of groups or professionals who have made communication, language, speech, voice, and pronunciation their main work tool; such is the case for singers, public speakers, teachers, actors, among others; consequently, the field of work for Language Therapy has expanded, resulting in benefits for the professional.
References
- Gómez Taibo. M. L. (2020) Symbolic Communication; Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Ediciones Pirámide.
- Nolla, A. and Tàpias, A. (2015) Speech-Language Pathology. Barcelona. Editorial UOC.
- Peña-Casanova, J. (2014) Manual of Speech-Language Pathology. Elsevier España, S.L.