Speech pathologists aren’t all talk. Here’s how they listen so you can have your say.

Helping clients manage their stuttering is what most of us think speech pathologists do all day, every day. While some do in fact call stuttering their area of expertise, if you’re a student entering this all-encompassing degree, you’ll learn to diagnose and treat people with a huge range of speech difficulties.

Here are four more ways speech pathologists ease our communication complications.

1. They help little people with autism make big changes

As social communication specialists, speech pathologists help children diagnosed with autism improve their speech and language development, as well as their learning and thinking abilities. These children may struggle with conversation skills, are unable to understand the context of words, or lack creative language. Speech pathologists work closely with their young clients to help them develop clear communication at home and in the classroom. 

2. They advise actors on how to speak up

Performers of all kind call on speech pathologists’ expertise to improve their voice, projection, and intelligibility so an audience member in the front row is as entertained as those in the cheap seats. Speech pathologists work with actors and singers to help them speak with greater clarity, bring new levels of precision to their performance, and improve vocal health and stamina.

3. They make life less hard to swallow

Unless there’s a problem, swallowing isn’t something most of us ever think about, but many speech pathologists specialise in this vital function. They evaluate the strength and movement of a person’s swallowing muscles and detect any problems getting in the way. Swallowing disorders can be diagnosed in a range of clients, from children with a cleft palate, to adults who have had a stroke, spinal cord injury, or dementia.

4. They teach kids a lesson

Speech pathologists work alongside busy teachers helping children who can’t access or connect in the classroom. Kids who struggle with communication may have difficulties following instructions, they could be more hesitant to put their hand up to contribute to classroom discussions, and some fall behind in their reading and writing. Enter the speech pathologist. They help identify which kids may be experiencing difficulties and provide assessment and therapy, as well as much-needed help for teachers with their hands full.

Learn more about speech pathology at ACU.

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Speech pathologists aren’t all talk. Here’s how they listen so you can have your say.

Helping clients manage their stuttering is what most of us think speech pathologists do all day, every day. Here's the reality.

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