Speech-Language Pathology in the Public Health Sector

Speech-language pathology in the public health sector
Name:
Institution:
Date:
Introduction
Speech Language Pathologists abbreviated as SLP defines highly trained professions who treat a broad range of disorder and delays. Just like any other health related career, S-LP study human anatomy and physiology on top of neuroanatomy, human and language development, genetics, psychology, linguistics, and acoustics. In essence, SLP deals with speech delays and disorders such as phonology, articulation and motor speech disorders. Further, in the content of language delays and disorder, SLP treat both oral and non-verbal expression and comprehension. They also tackle fluency disorders featuring stuttering as well as voice and character disorders. In adults, infants and children, swallowing and feeding disorder are addressed by SLP. Disorder linked to cognitive disorder includes social communication, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Further, SLP deals with pre-literacy and literacy skills such as decoding, writing, comprehension and phonological awareness. Additionally, communication and swallowing complications connected to other issues for instance brain trauma, the genetic disorder, and neurological impairments (Johnson & Jacobson, 2007). Ideally, SLP plays a very significant role. However, inadequate infrastructures and workforce in this sector hinders effective service delivery as addressed by this paper.Inadequate workforce, communications and tracking systems, research and evaluation capabilities, planning, and laboratory facilities affects SLP
SLP assistants extend services of certified speech-language pathologists. Also known as communication aides, speech assistants’ provide operational services such as record keeping and data collection. Ideally, according to a report by ASHA, there are about 20 training programs for SLP in US alone. However, lack of national certification for communication aides in United State is a huge problem that limits their operation. Further, the same report indicates that speech assistance in US largely focuses on theoretical learning at the expense of the practical exposure. Further, the SLPs are subjected to improper planning. For instance in America, controversy regarding the use of speech assistance continues to build up. This argument is grounded on the notion that communication aides may displace the use of core certified, trained and licensed SLP. This in turn may lead to public confusion regarding who is liable for providing qualified SLP services. Although the number of nurses is on the rise, language and communication barrier hinders effective service delivery in the SLP sector. Of the most significant, inadequate of SLP infrastructures evidenced in the public health sectors limit access and result in poor delivery of quality servi...