What does a Speech Pathologist do?

Speech Pathologists diagnose, manage, treat, prevent and assess disorders of communication and swallowing. This can include:
- Helping someone who has sustained brain damage in a car accident to learn to talk again
- Helping a baby with a cleft palate learn to feed
- Helping a child with autism to learn the rules of conversation, such as eye contact and turn taking
- Helping a singer who has nodules to look after his/her voice
- Helping a primary school student who has trouble with reading and writing
- Helping someone with cerebral palsy to choose and use a communication aid
- Helping a person with Parkinson's Disease to learn techniques to swallow food and drink
- Helping a high school student who stutters
- Helping a child who says his/her 's' as 'th'.
Speech Pathologists work in hospitals, rehab centres, aged care facilities, schools, special schools, kindergartens, early intervention centres, private practices, community health centres, clients' homes, courtrooms, prisons, and anywhere else where health professionals are required. For more information, please refer to the Speech Pathology Australia website.

I would like a Speech Pathology student to work/volunteer for me. Can you find me a suitable student?

Many students like to improve their job skills by gaining relevant work experience. SALT cannot provide this service, but the La Trobe University Careers Service can advertise these positions to students.

I am a Speech Pathology student. Should I join SALT?

It is not a requirement that students join SALT, however if you would like to meet other students and develop new skills, it is a great way to do so, and we always welcome new members!

I need a Speech Pathologist. Can you refer me to one?

No, but we can send you here, where you can find an Australian Speech Pathologist in your area.

Trivia: Famous(ish) Speech Pathologists

- Paul Jennings - Australian author
- Rebecca Twigley - model, girlfriend of footballer Chris Judd
- Megan Akermanis - wife of footballer Jason Akermanis
- Jay Leno - US comedian, television host
- Di Farmer - ALP Queensland politician
- Andrew Davenport - creator of Teletubbies and In the Night Garden and writer for Brum