Speech therapy, also known as speech-language pathology, is a field of healthcare that focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders. A speech therapist, also known as a speech-language pathologist, is a healthcare professional who specializes in helping individuals of all ages overcome speech and language difficulties.

Here are some of the primary responsibilities and duties of a speech therapist:

1. Evaluation: The first step in the speech therapy process is evaluation. The speech therapist will assess the patient's speech and language abilities, as well as their cognitive and communication skills. They may use a variety of tests and assessments to determine the nature and severity of the patient's communication difficulties.

2. Diagnosis: After evaluating the patient, the speech therapist will make a diagnosis of the patient's communication disorder. They will use their expertise and knowledge of communication disorders to determine the specific nature of the patient's condition.

3. Treatment planning: Once a diagnosis has been made, the speech therapist will develop a treatment plan tailored to the patient's specific needs. This plan may include exercises and activities designed to improve speech and language skills, as well as strategies for addressing cognitive and communication difficulties.

4. Therapy sessions: The speech therapist will work one-on-one with the patient to implement the treatment plan. Therapy sessions may include a variety of activities and exercises designed to improve speech and language skills, such as articulation exercises, language comprehension tasks, and conversation practice.

5. Swallowing therapy: Speech therapists also work with patients who have swallowing difficulties. They may evaluate the patient's swallowing function and develop a treatment plan to improve swallowing abilities. This may include exercises to strengthen the muscles used in swallowing, as well as strategies for safe swallowing.

6. Progress monitoring: Throughout the therapy process, the speech therapist will monitor the patient's progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed. They will also communicate with the patient and their caregivers to provide support and guidance throughout the therapy process.

Speech therapists work with individuals of all ages, from infants to older adults, and treat a wide range of communication disorders. These may include speech sound disorders, language disorders, voice disorders, fluency disorders, cognitive communication disorders, and swallowing disorders.

In addition to working with individuals, speech therapists may also collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and occupational therapists, to provide comprehensive care to patients with complex medical needs.

Disorders Treated by Speech Therapists:

2. Language Disorders: Language disorders impact a person's ability to understand and use language effectively. They encompass difficulties with vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and social communication. Language disorders may be associated with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, specific language impairment (SLI), or developmental delays.

3. Voice Disorders: Voice disorders involve problems with the production of vocal sounds. They include hoarseness, vocal nodules or polyps, vocal cord paralysis, or other conditions affecting the vocal folds.

4. Fluency Disorders: Fluency disorders encompass disorders of rhythm, rate, and flow of speech. Examples include cluttering (rapid and disorganized speech) and neurogenic stuttering (stuttering resulting from neurological conditions or injury).

5. Cognitive-Communication Disorders: These disorders impact a person's ability to think, reason, remember, and communicate effectively. They may result from traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, or other neurological conditions.

6. Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia): Swallowing disorders involve difficulties with chewing and swallowing food and liquids safely and effectively. They can lead to choking, aspiration (food or liquid entering the airway), or other complications.

Additionally, speech therapists work with individuals who experience delayed speech or language development. Delayed speech refers to a situation where a child's speech and language skills are developing at a slower rate than expected for their age. This can manifest as a delay in reaching speech milestones, such as babbling, saying first words, or combining words into sentences. Speech therapists conduct assessments to determine the underlying causes of delayed speech and develop intervention plans to promote language development and improve communication skills.

Speech therapy can be done online through a practice known as teletherapy. Teletherapy or Online Therapy is a form of therapy where the patient and therapist communicate through video conferencing technology. This allows patients to receive speech therapy services from the comfort of their own homes, and it's becoming increasingly popular due to its convenience and accessibility.

Online counselling or therapy can be an effective way to provide speech therapy services for a variety of reasons. One of the main benefits of online therapy is that it allows individuals who live in remote or rural areas to access speech therapy services that may not be available locally. Additionally, teletherapy can also be a convenient option for busy families who may not have the time to attend in-person therapy sessions.

There are a variety of tools that speech therapists can use during online sessions to make the experience engaging and effective. For example, speech therapists may use virtual games or activities to target specific speech or language goals. They may also use digital resources, such as online worksheets or videos, to supplement their therapy sessions.

It's worth noting that there are some limitations to teletherapy for speech therapy services. For example, some communication disorders may require in-person evaluations or assessments, particularly for young children or individuals with complex communication needs. Additionally, some patients may not have access to the technology or internet required for teletherapy.

However, overall, teletherapy can be an effective way to provide speech therapy services, particularly for individuals who may not have access to in-person therapy sessions. If you're interested in teletherapy for speech therapy services, it's important to discuss the option with your speech therapist to determine if it's the right choice for you or your loved one.

In conclusion, speech therapists play an essential role in helping individuals overcome communication and swallowing difficulties. Their expertise and knowledge of communication disorders allow them to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a wide range of conditions, from speech sound disorders to cognitive-communication disorders. By working one-on-one with patients and developing tailored treatment plans, speech therapists help individuals improve their communication abilities and achieve their goals.

Contributed by: Dr (Prof) R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist & Life Coach &  Ms. Nicole Fernandes, Counselling Psychologist