Occupation speech therapist

Speech therapists assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use.

Tasks

• Analyse and diagnose the nature and extent of speech, language, fluency, voice and swallowing impairments, by evaluating test results and medical or background information.
• Develop a plan of care for the client.
• Teach clients how to communicate, e.g. by teaching them how to make sounds, improve their voices, or increase their oral or written language skills.
• Teach clients how to strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles and breathing mechanisms or how to use compensatory strategies.
• Counsel clients' family members on how to deal with communication disorders (e.g., communication-enhancing techniques, how to recognise and change behaviour, etc.).
• Monitor clients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
• Keep records on the initial evaluation, progress and discharge of clients.
• Confer with other professionals, e.g. education, medical, dental and other health professionals.
• Conduct research related to speech and language problems.
• Design and develop techniques or equipment for diagnosing and treating speech problems.

Back to the list of occupations.