Speech pathologists assess, treat and diagnose communion and speech disorders. They handle and prevent oral issues, cognitive-linguistic issues, swallowing, speech and all language disorders.

If you have problems with oral motor, cognitive linguistic or language skills that have been affected by neurological events or diseases, had head or neck cancer and injuries or problems relating to under lying diseases, you will need the professional services of a speech pathologist.

Additional problems related to speech and communications that are treated by speech pathologists include speech pronunciation and fluency struggles, voice value problems, and reasoning communicative damages. Cognitive communication problems include memory, abstract reasoning issues or problem-solving defects. These problems are related to strokes, brain injuries and other medical disease processes.

If you have oropharyngeal weakness, which is a problem that causes aspiration of food and liquids entering your airway, and respiratory complications you will definitely need the services of a speech pathologist.

Responsibilities of a Speech Pathologist

To effectively treat and help those with speech and communion problems, a speech pathologist develops a program that is customized to the patient. A plan of care may also include alternate nutrition based on aspiration risks, diet level modifications to help with swallowing as well as communion systems that help with speech.

Speech pathologists assist families in learning to deal with communication problems and being involved in treatments. Caregivers are educated on impairments, disease processes and strategies for giving aid and training to speech impaired patients. A speech pathologist will develop home programs that are unique and help maintain swallowing, cognitive-linguist, speech and language skills.

There are also pathologists that participate in research programs to develop alternative ways to treat speech problems. Biological factoring is considered and medication therapies are research and programmed. Some research specialists are also adapt in developing computer programs to facilitate speech implants, and different types of apparatuses and techniques to augment speech in those who have speech disorders.

Employment Outlook

Many speech pathologist positions are in schools including elementary and preschools, plus secondary schools as well as universities and select colleges. There are other openings in speech language labs, those who are trained as audiologists, and who work in hearing and language clinics, research labs and home health agencies Over 88,000 speech jobs were recorded in 2000. The health outlook for those who are interested in speech pathology is expected to grow as the population ages. Those who are in older age groups tend to be prone to medical conditions that may result in speech and communication problems. These include strokes, heart problems dementia and Alzheimer\’s complications. Medical advances are also improving the survival rate of infants as well as trauma and stoke victims who may have brain and cognitive disorders and injuries

Aspiring speech pathologists enter the field to help those with communication problems. If you are a degreed speech pathologist or therapist you can expect to have a medium income of $54,750. Those pathologists with greater experience or those who work in lab ad research conditions have the earning potential of up to $85,000 and higher.

For more information, please visit our speech pathology website.

For more information, please visit our speech pathology website http://www.etsu.edu/crhs/aslp/speechpathology/links.aspx

Author Bio: For more information, please visit our speech pathology website.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: speech pathology