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Who is a Speech and Language Pathologist?

Speech and language pathologists (اسپیچ اور لینگویج پیتھالوجسٹ) are experts who diagnose and treat problems pertaining to communication and swallowing. They not only treat adults, but also cater to speech problems in children.

SLP experts work not just in clinics and hospitals but are also present in schools as well.

When should you see a Speech and Language Pathologist?

It is important to visit the speech and language pathologist when your child is experiencing delayed speech development.

SLP (اسپیچ اور لینگویج پیتھالوجسٹ) can help evaluate and diagnose the issue if need be. Since therapy early on in life can help children cope better, timely enlisting the help of SLP is pertinent.

Similarly, babies who are being troublesome during feeding time should also get evaluation by the SLP, since swallowing issues come under their domain as well.

Sensory aversion occurs when children experience vomiting, congestion, gagging during or after meals. Speech and language pathologists can help children eat by performing feeding therapy.

However, adults can also experience swallowing problems, especially in the aftermath of injury or illness. These then need the help of speech and language pathologists to help swallow, without the fear of aspiration.

Moreover, trauma like injury and illness also can affect the speech skills of people. Help from SLP cannot only help people in regaining their skills, but also facilitate them in navigating through their everyday life.

What are a Speech and Language Pathologist's main areas of concern?

Speech and language pathologists (اسپیچ اور لینگویج پیتھالوجسٹ) are concerned with the treatment of the speech disorders. These include apraxia, in which brain is unable to communicate with the muscles responsible for speech, dysarthria, a condition remarked by weakness of the muscles.

Other problems like stuttering, articulation issues and resonance disorders are also addressed by SLP (تقریر اور زبان کا پیتھالوجسٹ۔).

Moreover, language issues are also the responsibility of the speech and language pathologist. These include disorders like aphasia –difficulty comprehending speech due to damage to the brain – and APD.

Moreover, cognitive communication disorders and injuries to the brain that impair ability to speak, listen, read, and write are also resolved by SLP.

Speech and Language pathologists also provide with aural rehabilitation, which helps patients suffering from hearing problems. Social communication disorders, that make it difficult for the patients to partake in social activities, as is the case in autistic patients, also are concerns of speech and language pathologists.

Dysphagia, a condition remarked by swallowing and eating problems, is also remedied by SLP.

Furthermore, these experts also provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. These techniques are effective for people with severe language disorders.

What are the most common speech and language problems in Pakistan

While globally, communication skills have been improved, thanks to technology and graphics, however, Pakistan has a long way to go still.

There is an overall lack of awareness with regards to the developmental skills amongst people, due to poor literacy rate. Moreover, there is also a dearth of resources when it comes to speech and language problems; there are only a handful of experts present in the field.

As per the data collected by Dawn News, a decade ago, 22 million people, out of the total population of 160 million suffered from speech, hearing, and swallowing problems, etc. Meanwhile, for this whopping figure, only 7 experts were practicing in Pakistan.

While over the decade, things have improved, but the circumstances still are very dire. Since these problems have a direct and grave impact on the quality of people’s lives, it is pertinent to address these issues, especially when the solution is within grasp.

It is also very important to conduct quality research to understand the intricacies of the problem. There are several determinants like gender, social class, literacy, etc. that then need to be also accounted for.

According to the research conducted by Muhammand Sikander Khan and Madiha Sikander, more male children presented speech and language problems, than their female counterparts. Following is the summary of the disorders observed: 

How to become a Speech and Language Pathologist in Pakistan?

To become a speech and language pathologist, you need to first complete undergraduate in Speech and Language Pathology. There are post-graduated opportunities available as well, for people who aspire to get ahead, in their skillset and career. 

What are Speech and Language Pathologists called in Pakistan?

Speech and language pathologists are also known as:

• SLP experts
• Taqreer aur zaban ka pathogist
• اسپیچ اور لینگویج پیتھالوجسٹ
• تقریر اور زبان کا پیتھالوجسٹ۔