Many people don’t really know what a Speech Pathologist does.

A Speech Pathologist (also called a Speech Therapist or a Speech and Language Therapist) can work with children or with adults.

They can assess if a person has difficulties with any aspect of communication.  This could include forming speech sounds, understanding and speaking in sentences, stuttering, voice and social communication.

Social communication is an area that children with autism often find difficult.  They may find it hard to make eye contact, greet people, pay attention to others, follow routines or understand emotions and facial expressions.

Speech Pathologists find fun and creative ways to help children communicate and interact with the people in their lives. They help families and schools to understand better ways of supporting children with communication needs.

Something most people don’t know is that Speech Pathologists also help people who have difficulty swallowing. To find out more about Speech Pathologists, visit the Australian professional association, Speech Pathology Australia at www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Written by Speech Pathologist Eleanor Brignell for De Silva Kids Clinic.