Speech pathologist

A speech pathologist is a specialist who assesses and treats people who have communication problems or disorders.

Speech pathologists are experts in speech, writing, reading, signs, symbols and gestures. They also help people who have difficulty swallowing food and drink.

A speech pathologist can assess your child and help to design an intervention program to help with language development or communication.

When you visit the speech pathologist, she will ask your child to say specific words and – if your child is old enough – to use those words in sentences. She will ask you your impression of your child’s speech development and about how your child understands and uses language. She will want to know some details about your child’s development – such as when your child first spoke, when he walked and whether he was born prematurely. You might also be asked about whether anyone else in your family has problems with speech or language.

Speech pathologists work in schools and kindergartens, nursing homes, hospitals, universities, community health centres and specialist services that help with mental health, rehabilitation, autism, cerebral palsy and intellectual disability. They work with groups (for example, in the classroom) and one on one, and are often part of a multidisciplinary, early intervention team.

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