Q: What is a speech-language pathologist?
A: A speech-language pathologist is a licensed health care professional who diagnoses, evaluates, and treats disorders of speech and/or language, voice, and swallowing.
Q: When would I need a speech-language pathologist?
A: Speech-language pathologists treat communication problems in infants, children, adolescents and adults. You might consult a speech-language pathologist to help …
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with a speech impairment, such as stuttering, slurred speech, or voice problems;
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with speech or language that has been affected by a stroke, head injury or progressive neurological disease;
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with speech that has been affected by surgery; or
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with a swallowing disorder.
You might use the services of a speech-language pathologist for a child if …-
you have difficulty understanding what the child is trying to say;
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you think the child is speaking differently from children of the same age;
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the child has difficulty telling you what he or she wants; or
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the child has difficulty understanding what people are saying.
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Q: How do I find a speech-language pathologist?
Q: How do I know if a professional is qualified to provide services?
A: There are several different titles that individuals providing speech therapy use depending on the credential they hold. The credential they hold allows them to practice in particular work environments.
A speech-language pathologist is legally required to hold a New York State license. It is the minimum requirement to work in all settings, except schools and federal agencies. Speech-language pathologists work in hospitals, agencies, private offices, health clinics, nursing homes and patient’s homes.A Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) andTeachers of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped (TSHH) are certified teachers that provide speech therapy in schools and pre-schools. These professionals may also hold a NYS license and be speech-language pathologists, as well.
Many professionals hold a national credential called the CCC-SLP which is granted by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). This stands for Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. This certification is required for those that work in federal agencies, but is voluntary in other settings. The requirements for the national certification are very similar to those for NYS licensure.
View the differences in education, experience and continuing education requirements for these professionals or HQP SLP Brochure →.
Q: My child receives speech therapy in the Early Intervention program. Can a TSSLD or TSHH provide speech therapy services for my child?
A: No. They cannot provide speech therapy in the Early Intervention program unless they hold a NYS-license in speech-language pathology, too. A New York State license is required to provide speech therapy in the Early Intervention program regardless of where therapy is provided: in the home, at an agency in a daycare or in a pre-school.
Q: How do I verify that a speech-language pathologist has a current license?
A: New York speech-language pathologists must display a current New York registration certificate; this certificate lists the professional’s name, address, and dates of the registration period. Speech-language pathologists must reregister every three years to practice in New York. Some professionals also display their original New York license, diploma, licenses from other states, and membership certificates. Click here to verify an individual’s license →