Why should I choose
an ASHA-Certified Speech-Language Pathologist?
1. Why should I choose an ASHA-certified
speech-language pathologist?ASHA-certified speech-language
pathologists are the only health care professionals specifically educated and
prepared to evaluate and treat children and adults with speech, language, and
swallowing problems. Click
here for consumer information from ASHA 2. What kind of education
do ASHA certified speech-language pathologists have? ASHA-certified speech-language
pathologists are the only health care professionals who possess either a master's
or doctoral degree from an accredited program, complete a postgraduate clinical
fellowship, and pass a national examination to receive their professional credential:
the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)
from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 3. What do ASHA
certified speech-language pathologists do? ASHA certified speech-language
pathologists: - Prevent speech, voice,
language, communication, swallowing, and related disorders.
- Screen, identify, assess,
diagnose, refer, and provide treatment and intervention, including consultation
and follow-up services, to persons of all ages with, or at risk for, speech,
voice, language, communication, swallowing, and related disabilities.
- Counsel individuals with
these disorders, as well as their families, caregivers, and other service
providers regarding the disorders and their management.
- Select, prescribe, dispense,
and provide services supporting the effective use of augmentative and alternative
communication devices and other communication prostheses and assistive devices.
- Measure treatment outcomes
to evaluate and continuously improve the effectiveness of their services.
- Provide services in hospitals;
skilled nursing facilities; outpatient centers; and educational, community,
vocational, and home settings.
- Help to enhance communication
skills such as pitch, projection, accent reduction and nonverbal communication.
4. How
can I be sure that my child, client, or patient is receiving appropriate and
effective treatment for a speech, language, or swallowing disorder? One in seven Americans--more
than 42 million individuals--have a speech, language, or swallowing disorder.
You can help your patients with these disorders receive the services they need
by referring them to an ASHA-certified
speech-language pathologist. The benefits of treatment
by ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists are measured and documented by
a statistically validated national treatment outcomes database called The National
Outcomes Management System - The NOMS. Better
Speech and Hearing Month is in the month of May!!! Contact your local ASHA
certified speech pathologist or audiologist for more information about local
seminars/screenings in your area. Click
here to find out "How Does Your Child Hear and Talk? | 
