Also known as Speech Therapists, they are autonomous professionals with specialized knowledge, skills, and clinical training in assessment and management of communication and swallowing disorders. SLPs hold a Masters degree or Doctorate degree in speech-language pathology and are regulated by the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists in Ontario (CASLPO), to meet professional and ethical standards. Speech Pathologists are qualified to certify speech and language impairments.

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An SLP's area of expertise includes prevention, identification, evaluation, and treatment of congenital and acquired communication and swallowing disorders. An SLP works with clients of all ages, in a variety of settings in health care, education and private settings.

Speech, language, and communication therapy can include any of the following:

• Assessment and treatment for speech disorders to improve pronunciation/articulation, to help clients that stutter to improve their fluency, or to improve voice and resonance disorders.

• Assessment and treatment for language disorders to improve understanding others (receptive language) or to convey ideas verbally and in writing (expressive language).

• Assessment and treatment for social communication disorders to help and improve the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication (i.e., greeting, commenting, asking questions; following rules for conversation and story-telling).

• Assessment and treatment of cognitive communication disorders to improve reasoning, problem solving, memory and organization skills required to communicate effectively.

• Consultation with parents/clients and other professionals to provide programs of care (i.e., physicians, audiologists, occupational therapists, teachers).

The ability to communicate effectively is many times taken for granted. Issues associated with speech, language and cognitive disorders can affect academic performance, workforce integration, and social interaction. SLPs are uniquely qualified to help with clients with receptive and expressive language, articulation/phonology, stuttering, voice, resonance, and cognitive communication disorders reach their full communicative potential.

There is no set age. If you feel or have been told by a doctor that your child is not meeting their developmental milestones, you should seek a Speech-Language Pathologist. Click the link below for additional details.

https://pathways.org/topics-of-development/communication/milestones/

If you have any concerns about your child's speech, language. communication, and/or hearing miletones, please speak to your doctor. You may also follow the link below which provides an informative checklist as an additional resource.

https://www.sac-oac.ca/sites/default/files/resources/SAC-Milestones-TriFold_EN.pdf