Definition

Speech-Language Therapists are professionally trained to
prevent, screen, identify, assess, diagnose, refer, and provide
intervention for, and counsel persons with, or who are at risk
for, articulation, fluency, voice, language, communication,
swallowing, and related disabilities. In addition to engaging
in activities to reduce or prevent communication,
swallowing, and related disabilities, Speech-Language
Pathologists also counsel and educate families or
professionals about these disorders and their management.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act(in usa) (IDEA)
includes Speech-Language Pathology as both a related
service and as a special education. As related services,
speech-language pathology is recognised as “developmental,
corrective, and other supportive services… as may be
required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from
special education… and includes the early identification and
assessment of disabling conditions in children” [Section
602(22)]. Speech-Language Pathology is considered special
education rather that a related service if the service consists
of “specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents,
to meet the unique needs of the child with a disability,
including instruction conducted in the classroom, in the
home… and other settings.”
School-based speech-language pathologists prevent,
identify, assess, evaluate and provide intervention for
students with speech, language and related impairments,
disabilities and handicaps. (WHO, 1980)
The school-based speech-language pathologist’s purpose in
addressing communication and related disorders is to effect