The Areas of Speech Pathology

Speech Pathology is a clinical practice of practising to diagnose and treat speech and communication pathways disorders. This practise is based on theories of neurological structure, function, and evolution. The term speech pathologist is usually used in association with neurology, but this is not synonymous. Speech pathology can also apply to medical specialties such as audiology, otolaryngology, speech-language pathology, voice disorders, and hearing specialists.

There are three major areas in which speech pathology Australia encompasses. These are Auditory neurology, Speech-language pathology, and Central Hearing Disorders. Within each of these areas, there are numerous subspecialties. This is also known as speech pathology throughout the rest of the world, even though the main focus areas are in Australia.

A speech pathologist in Adelaide diagnoses and treats the following conditions in speech-language disorder: audiological/communication disorder, swallowing, obesity, chronic mucosal disease, facial neuralgia, developmental language disorder, and dyspraxia. In addition to these categories, but are not technically part of this larger field. These include spasticity, stuttering, and motor skills.

Auditory neurology deals with disorders of the auditory nervous system and includes hearing, olfactory, vision, and speech disorders, including speech difficulties, stuttering, and swallowing difficulties. Voice disorders include difficulty swallowing, vocal hoarseness, and laryngitis. Speech pathologists can also evaluate speech-language disorder patients for swallowing problems.

Upon graduation from an accredited medical school and passing the certification exam from the Professional Practice CCC-SLP (CPC-SOL) or the American Board of Speech-Language Pathology, speech pathologists can become licensed by the state in which they practice. After receiving their license, they can specialize by becoming a speech pathologist in a specific field. To specialize, they need to complete a 4-year residency program at an approved university or hospital. After completing the clinical residency, they can apply for state certification either by continuing their education or completing an additional two years of study at an approved college or university.

Many states require speech pathologists to be board-certified to practice. However, in some states, certification is not mandatory. Speech-language Pathologists can find employment in either a private practice setting or a public facility such as a nursing care facility or rehabilitation centre. They work primarily with individuals and families experiencing hearing or speech-language disorders and are often involved in providing therapy.

A speech pathologist in Adelaide treats disorders on both a clinical and psychological level. They treat disorders with speech comprehension, language disorders with fluency and swallowing disorders. They may refer people to other specialists for additional treatment if necessary. Some speech pathologists specialize in conditions associated with theoretic, bulimia, self-harm, psychosis, substance abuse and eating disorders. The specialty also allows them to work with children and families experiencing those disorders as well.

Speech pathology specialists provide a wide range of services to their patients. These services vary according to the severity of the disorder and the individual’s communication level and preferences. Many of these services focus on diagnosing and treating conditions that involve the patient’s upper aerodigestive functions. One of them is apnea, a condition that makes the patient stops breathing for short moments. Other conditions related to the throat and vocal cords include dysphagia, difficulty with swallowing; vocal nodules, small growths or nodules in the vocal cords; vocal cord paralysis, damage to vocal cords, and snoring.

Professionals in the speech pathology job outlook field generally remain busy, even during a state of recession, which is evident by the increase in hospital positions that specialize in this field. The job outlook for the area is positive, especially compared to some other career fields. There are currently more positions opening in this field than others, such as audiology and surgery. Those interested in this field should be prepared to obtain a Master’s degree and complete a series of supervised clinical training to become qualified.