Speech and language therapy
Speech and language therapists assess and treat children and adults who have difficulty with speech and language.
Speech and language difficulty
Difficulty with speech and language may be the result of:
- learning disabilities
- strokes
- head injuries
- neurological conditions
Speech and language therapists also assess and treat problems of eating and drinking (chewing, sucking and swallowing). They work in hospitals, primary care and the community, as well as in schools and people's homes. They may also work in the private and voluntary sector.
Speech and language therapists who work in the National Health Service (NHS) must be registered with the Health Care Professions Council. They may be accessed directly or through a referral from a doctor or other health care practitioner.
There are also several voluntary organisations who can give advice. They help and support people with communication problems, including speech and language disorders.