Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) is a healthcare profession that focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of speech, language, communication, voice, fluency, and swallowing disorders.
It is provided by certified professionals known as Speech and Language Therapists (also called Speech-Language Pathologists in some regions). SLT supports individuals across the lifespan—from infants to the elderly—helping them overcome challenges that impact their ability to communicate effectively or swallow safely.
Speech and Language Therapy aims to :
SLT can help people with a wide range of conditions, including :
In Speech and Language Therapy, the process typically begins with a comprehensive assessment, where the therapist gathers information through interviews, observations, and standardized tests to understand the individual's communication or swallowing difficulties. Based on the results, the therapist diagnoses the issue and works collaboratively with the client (and their family or caregivers, if applicable) to set personalized therapy goals. Therapy sessions may be conducted one-on-one or in groups and are tailored to the specific needs of the individual—focusing on improving speech clarity, language understanding, expressive skills, social communication, voice use, fluency, or swallowing safety. The therapist uses a variety of techniques such as speech drills, interactive games, visual aids, exercises, and assistive communication tools. Sessions are engaging and practical, often incorporating everyday situations to promote real-life communication. In addition to direct therapy, clients are typically given home practice activities, and therapists provide education and strategies for families and educators to support progress outside of the therapy setting. Progress is continually monitored, and goals are adjusted as needed to ensure effective and meaningful outcomes.