In a healthcare setting, what is the primary role of a speech therapist?

The primary role of a speech therapist is to treat speech defects and disorders. Speech therapists, also known as speech-language pathologists, are specifically trained to assess and intervene in communication disorders, which can include issues with speech production, language comprehension, and articulation. They work with individuals who have difficulty speaking clearly, may stutter, or have other speech-related challenges stemming from various causes such as injury, illness, or developmental issues.

While developing language skills in children is indeed a component of what speech therapists do, especially in the context of early intervention for those with speech or language delays, it is just one aspect of their broader responsibility to treat a wide range of speech disorders in people of all ages. Conducting hearing assessments is typically the purview of audiologists rather than speech therapists, and while providing psychological support can be important, it is not the primary focus of their training or professional duties. Thus, the emphasis on treating speech defects and disorders encapsulates the core of what speech therapists do in a healthcare setting.