Speech and language therapists assess and treat speech, language and communication problems in people of all ages. They help people to become independent communicators using speech, gesture and/or communication aids as needed. They also work with people who have eating, drinking, chewing and swallowing difficulties. They work as part of a multidisciplinary team and have close links with teachers, doctors, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists and other health professionals. We work in hospital and community settings; on inpatient wards, in outpatient clinics, schools, health centres.

A large proportion of children and adults have speech and language disorders, which may be associated with adverse, long-term outcomes that impact on individuals, families, and communities

5% of children enter school with difficulties in speech and language.
30% of people who have had a cerebrovascular accident have a persisting speech and language disorder.
Typical patients seen by speech and language therapists

These include:

who have problems with feeding and/or swallowing.

Children with:

• Learning difficulty
• Physical disability
• Language delay
• Difficulties in sound production
• Hearing problems
• Cleft palate
• Stammering
• Autistic spectrum disorders
• Dyslexia
• Voice disorders
• Selective mutism

Adults with:

• Eating, swallowing and/or communication problems following stroke
• Neurological impairment or degenerative conditions such as head injury, Parkinson’s disease, motor neuron disease and dementia
• Cancer of the head, neck or throat (including laryngectomy)
• Voice Problems
• Mental Health Problems
• Learning Difficulty
• Physical Disability
• Stammering
• Hearing Problems