Speech Activities

Location: Swain West, 220

What is a Speech-Language Pathologist?

Speech-language pathologists, also called SLPs, are experts in communication. SLPs work with people of all ages, from babies to adults. SLPs treat many types of communication and swallowing problems.

How Do Our Voices Work?

If you put your hand on your throat and make a sound like “ahh” you will feel your throat start to vibrate. This vibration is caused by vocal folds (bands of muscle in your throat) having air pushed through them and at different rates to create voice sounds. When someone is unable to do this SLPs may help them learn to use and Alternative Augmentative Communication Device (AAC).

Fun Facts about Speech!

• In order to speak, about 100 muscles of the chest, neck, jaw, tongue, and lips must work together!
• Speech Language Pathologists work with people who have speech, language, voice, and swallowing disorders
• Smoking and too much shouting can damage your voice
• Children learn speech when they are very young. When they are babies they can hear every speech sound from any dialect. This part of the brain tends to start focusing on a child’s native language before or when they start talking.