What is A Specialist in Speech-Language Therapy
by Amy Berger MA,CCC,SLPSpeech-language pathologists (SLPs) are educated in the study of speech and language development, its disorders, assessment and remediation. They hold at least a Masters degree and state certification. Many therapists have completed additional post masters requirements. They have completed their clinical fellowship year, passed a praxis examination, hold state professional licensure in the field, and a Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In addition, a therapist who has a Certificate of Clinical Competency must take ongoing continuing education classes to maintain their highly qualified status
Speech Disorders and Language Disorders
A speech disorder refers to a problem with the production of sounds, whereas a language disorder refers to a difficulty understanding language or putting words together to communicate ideas.
Speech disorders include:
· Articulation disorders: difficulties producing sounds in syllables or saying words incorrectly to the point that listeners can’t understand what’s being said
· Fluency disorders: problems such as stuttering in which the flow of speech is interrupted by abnormal stops, repetitions (st-st-stuttering), or prolonging sounds and syllables (ssssstuttering).
Language disorders can be either receptive or expressive:
· Receptive disorders: difficulties understanding or processing language.
· Expressive disorders: difficulty putting words together, limited vocabulary, or inability to use language in asocially appropriate way.