What is an SLP?
Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) is the preferred term in the United States and is endorsed by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The term demonstrates that the person has been properly trained and has clinical experience in assessing and providing treatment to people suffering from communication disorders. SLP's evaluate, diagnose, and treat speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders. Qualifications include at least a Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology, passing the SLP praxis exam, and completion of a Clinical Fellowship Year. This results in the Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) which must be renewed every 3 years through continued education programs. SLP's must also maintain state licensure.
Speech Therapist, Speech Clinician, Speech Teacher, Speech Language Therapist are often used by schools for persons who do not have their Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC). Schools are the only facilities where therapists without their "C's" may be employed in Pennsylvania. To make it even more confusing, these terms are frequently used interchangeably for SLP's. Therefore, if a professional refers to herself as a "speech therapist," it does not necessarily mean that she doesn't have her "C's." We suggest that you ask.
Nevertheless, ASHA stresses that these terms are not accurate representations of the field for the following reasons:
- "Therapist" tends to imply an auxiliary service to the medical profession. It also reflects programmatic versus scientific foundations and services.
- "Speech therapist" reflects only a small part of communication: phonation, articulation, resonance, and fluency. Therefore, the necessary addition of the word "Language" reflects the production and comprehension of words and phrases. This includes reading, oral production, writing, gesture, problem solving, memory and social interaction.
Speech Language Pathology Assistants, SLP Aides, Communication Aides, Paraprofessionals, Service Extenders are support personnel who perform tasks prescribed, directed, and supervised by ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists. They may have academic or on-the-job training.