Speech and Language Pathologists or commonly known and referred to as “SLPs” work to help individuals communicate with their verbal and non-verbal language skills. Verbal meaning spoken communication, and non-verbal can include an array of strategies such as Augmentative Alternative Communication devices (AAC) with communication programs, Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), touch to sound devices, pictures and cards, and a many array of options in between selected and customized to each individual’s needs.
They like many other professions work with adults and children. Among children they may more commonly also assess concerns and issues with feeding and swallowing. This can involve anything from the muscle coordination to complete the chewing motion, to developing of the awareness of the tongue to move food around in the mouth and properly activate swallowing. SLPs may work with children as early as birth.
When SLPs work with children their main areas of concern include articulation, decreasing disfluency (stuttering), or treating voice disorders.
Receptive language is an individuals ability to follow through and process information that is given to them from an external source. This can incorporate many though processes such as understanding the labeling of an item, orientation, and motor planning. Imagine a therapist instructing a child to “Pick up the red ball, and put it in the big basket”. The child will need to be able to discriminate colors, identify what a “ball” and “big basket” are, and motor plan the movement to follow through and place the ball where he/she has been instructed to.
When working with children SLPs help them learn how to produce and combine words into functional phrases and sentences to outwardly communicate with those around them.
Reference Link: https://pathways.org/pediatric-speech-language-pathologist/