Speech-language pathology services help people of all ages improve their ability to communicate effectively and eat and drink safely. These services involve the assessment and treatment of challenges to speaking, listening, reading, writing, and swallowing.

For Children

Speech-language pathology addresses a range of issues, including:

• Speaking Clearly: Helping children produce sounds and words accurately to improve speech intelligibility.
• Understanding and Using Language: Supporting children in expressing their thoughts clearly and understanding what others say.
• Literacy Skills: Addressing difficulties with reading and writing development.
• Social Communication: Teaching children how to take turns, share, make friends, and understand emotions to improve social interaction.
• Eating and Drinking Safely: Ensuring children and infants can eat and drink without discomfort or risk of choking. This may include support for breastfeeding challenges.
• Swallowing difficulties associated with Tongue Thrust: Addressing the tongue pushing against the teeth, often identified and referred for treatment based on the recommendation of an orthodontist.
• Fluency: Improving speech fluency—particularly for children who stutter—to build confidence when speaking.

This support often includes engaging activities such as games and storytelling to make learning enjoyable and effective.

For Adults

Speech-language pathology helps adults recover from or manage conditions that affect communication and swallowing, including:

• Speech and language difficulties following a Stroke, Brain Injury or Neurological Disease: Supporting individuals in regaining speech, language, and cognitive-communication abilities.
• Voice Problems: Treating issues such as hoarseness, vocal strain, voice changes following surgery, or problems related to vocal fold nodules.
• Swallowing Safety: Managing swallowing difficulties that result from illness or injury to ensure safe and comfortable eating and drinking.
• Swallowing difficulties related to Tongue Thrust: Addressing the tongue pushing against the teeth, typically referred by an orthodontist for treatment.
• Fluency: Enhancing speech fluency—such as in cases of stuttering—for improved communication in both personal and professional settings.

Therapies may include specialized techniques to improve speech and language skills, increase voice strength and clarity, or promote safe swallowing.