Communication Sciences & Disorders

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have the expertise to help individuals with a variety of communication disorders. SLPs may work with individuals with developmental delays, such as autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy; language-learning disabilities; stuttering; and, speech sound production errors, such as a “lisp.” SLPs also routinely assist in the recoveries of people who have had head injuries, strokes, and cancers of the head and neck. Still others who benefit from these services are individuals learning English as a second language and those who seek to improve their communication skills for the corporate world. SLPs assist individuals of all ages by working with them and their families in their schools, their hospitals, their homes… anywhere they need communication facilitation.

Millions of Americans live with communication disorders. The number of individuals with communication disorders in the United States is growing due to several factors. These include life-saving medical advances in the care of premature infants who are likely to exhibit developmental delays, blast injury survivors returning from combat areas with traumatic brain injuries, and the “graying of America” as the Baby Boomers enter retirement age. Career opportunities in the field of speech-language pathology are increasing in order to meet these expanding needs. Speech-language pathology was recently named one of the top 50 jobs in America by Money Magazine, based on factors such as positive employment outlook, salary and working conditions.