What is a Speech and Language Therapist

Speech and language therapists (SLTs) work with people with communication problems as well as people with eating, drinking and swallowing problems -dysphagia.


Communication

SLTs work with people and their carers to find out what kind of communication problem(s) the person has, for example -the person may be unable use speech to communicate, the person may have a stammer, the person may have difficulties with conversation skills.

The SLTs find ways to help the person maintain or develop their communication skills e.g. by learning signs, by using photos, by learning more words, by learning how to interrupt. They also help carers to communicate more effectively to compensate for people's specific problems e.g. carers learn to use easier words and shorter sentences, carers learn to sign, carers give people more time to talk.

Dysphagia

When people have dysphagia, the SLTs work out what is going wrong, for example -the person cannot chew, the person's swallow is delayed, food, drink and medicine is going into the person's airway.
The SLTs find ways to help the person eat, drink and swallow more safely, ensure they get adequate hydration and nutrition and that they are as comfortable and dignified as possible when eating and drinking. For example a person may get a new chair, a different spoon and cup or have thicker liquids and more regular drinks.

Click here to go back to CLDT