Achieving communication goals with speech pathology
Speech pathology is the practice of diagnosing and treating communication disorders. While sometimes misinterpreted, speech pathology can help people overcome challenges relating not only to speech but to comprehension, reading, writing and social skills, as well as difficulty swallowing food and drink.
These kinds of challenges can have a huge impact on a person’s quality of life, as well as their self-confidence and self-esteem. For this reason, speech pathologists dedicate their work to helping client’s build skills in these areas with the ultimate goal of achieving a better standard of living.
Who might work with a speech pathologist?
Speech pathologists work with a wide range of people but primarily those who experience communication challenges due to developmental delays, stroke, brain injuries, learning disabilities, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy and dementia - to name a few. Due to the nature of these challenges, clients can seek out the support of a speech pathologist at any age and any stage of life.
Some of the specific challenges your speech pathologist can help with include:
● Paediatric feeding advice for a family whose child has a cleft palate, has delayed chewing and swallowing skills, or has a restricted diet
● Supporting children who have difficulty expressing their thoughts and emotions
● Working with students to help them understand their school work
● Helping a person who stutters to speak with clarity and confidence
● Helping a teacher learn techniques to keep their voice healthy at work
● Supporting a person with a severe brain injury to learn to speak again
● Helping a person with dementia to better communicate with their carers
● Teaching communication strategies and providing assistive devices for people who are unable to communicate verbally
● Assisting a person who has suffered a stroke to swallow safely and enjoy eating
● Helping people and children who struggle to read
How does speech pathology work?
The work a speech pathologist does with a client varies greatly depending on the specific challenges they present with. With this in mind, speech pathologists will generally begin by diagnosing the person’s problem using standard assessment tools, before developing a tailored treatment plan to help them better manage and overcome those challenges.
With advancements in technology and the recent uptake of virtual meetings, remote speech pathology has also become a largely popular method of treatment for clients and families who are unable to attend regular appointments in person.
How long will it take to reach our goals?
As each person’s treatment plan will be different, there is no set timeframe on how long it will take for an individual to reach their communication goals. However, many clients will engage with their speech pathologist regularly for a number of months to ensure that any progress is sustained throughout their lifetime.
If you or someone you know could benefit from the support of a speech pathologist, we’d love to help. Reach out to our team on 1300 103 194 or request an appointment online to learn more.