What is a speech and language therapist?

Speech and language therapists (SLTs) are allied health professionals. They work with children and adults who have difficulties with communication, or with eating, drinking and swallowing.

Speech and language therapists work closely with parents and carers and other professionals, such as teachers, nurses, occupational therapists and doctors.

There are around 10,000 practising SLTs in the UK. The National Health Service employs most of these. Other therapists work for education services or charities. Some therapists work independently and treat patients privately.

Speech and language therapists work in community health centres, hospital wards and outpatient departments, mainstream and special schools, day centres and in their clients' homes. Some now work in courtrooms, prisons and young offenders' institutions.

Speech and language therapists work with:

Babies with

feeding and swallowing difficulties

Children with

mild, moderate or severe learning difficulties
physical disabilities
language delay
specific language impairment
specific difficulties in producing sounds
hearing impairment
cleft palate
stammering
autism/social interaction difficulties
dyslexia
voice disorders
selective mutism

Adults with

eating and swallowing and/or communication problems following stroke
neurological impairments and degenerative conditions including: head injury, Parkinson's disease, motor -neuron disease and dementia
cancer of the head, neck and throat (including laryngectomy)
voice problems
mental health issues
learning difficulties
physical disabilities
stammering (dysfluency)
hearing impairment