What is speech-language pathology?

Speech-language pathology is a healthcare profession that supports individuals of all ages — from young children to senior adults — who experience challenges related to communication in its many forms: spoken language, speech, voice, fluency, reading, writing, verbal reasoning, and even mathematical language.

Speech-language pathologists assess these difficulties and implement tailored interventions to support expression, comprehension, reading, writing, social interactions, reasoning, and the processing of mathematical concepts. Their role is to promote the development and maintenance of communication skills, whether oral, written, or social. They also work with individuals presenting orofacial myofunctional disorders (such as sigmatism, tongue positioning issues, mouth breathing, atypical swallowing patterns, chewing difficulties, persistent oral habits, etc.).

Common Reasons for Consultation

A child who does not speak or speaks very little

A child who has difficulty following instructions, telling a story, or pronouncing certain sounds

A student who has difficulty learning to read, write, or understand what they read

A person who stutters or speaks very quickly

A person who has had a stroke and has difficulty expressing themselves or finding words

A language, verbal reasoning, or social communication difficulty related to a diagnosis such as ASD, ADHD, or developmental language disorder

Sigmatism, atypical swallowing, prolonged oral habits (thumb sucking, etc.), or other orofacial myofunctional disorders

Demystifying Speech-Language Pathology

Many myths still surround speech-language pathology. Here are some clarifications to better understand the scope of this profession.

Speech-language pathology is for all ages

Although many people think primarily of children, speech-language pathologists also work with adolescents, adults, and seniors. Communication challenges can appear or persist throughout life: difficulties expressing oneself, understanding, reading, writing, interacting, articulating after a stroke, using one’s voice appropriately, or coordinating certain oral functions (such as breathing or swallowing).

Intervention goes far beyond pronunciation difficulties

Speech-language pathologists support a wide range of profiles and needs: oral and written communication disorders, fluency, voice, verbal memory, reasoning, social interaction, vocabulary, idea organization, and more. They also work with individuals experiencing challenges in mathematical language (e.g., concepts of time, quantity, problem-solving) as well as orofacial myofunctional disorders such as mouth breathing, atypical swallowing, or persistent oral habits.

Speech-language pathology is useful even without an “urgent” situation

There is no need to wait until a situation becomes critical before consulting. Early or preventive intervention can often help prevent difficulties from becoming more established. Even subtle signs may justify support.

The role of the speech-language pathologist in learning

When a speech-language pathologist works in areas such as reading, writing, or mathematics, their role differs from that of teachers, learning support specialists, or tutors. While teachers deliver academic content and learning support professionals or tutors help students review or integrate that content (for example, by assisting with homework or re-explaining concepts), the speech-language pathologist works upstream by targeting the underlying cognitive and language processes involved in learning. Their intervention focuses on the foundations needed for effective learning: phonological awareness, oral and written comprehension, working memory, verbal reasoning, written expression, idea organization, mathematical concepts, and more. This is a complementary but highly specialized and individualized form of support that helps identify the root causes of academic challenges and develop lasting strategies, often in collaboration with other involved professionals.

Speech-language pathology is practiced in a variety of settings

Speech-language pathology services extend well beyond the school environment: in clinics, at home, through telepractice, in childcare settings, community centres, hospitals, and in collaboration with other professionals.