Speech-language pathology is a health care service that focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and treating communication difficulties. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), also known as speech therapists, work with people of all ages to help them improve their communication skills. SLPs can help with:

· Speech difficulties: Problems with articulation, fluency (stuttering), and/or voice quality
· Language difficulties: Difficulty understanding and/or expressing oneself, both spoken and written.
· Cognitive difficulties: Conditions that affect memory, attention, and executive function
· Social communication differences: Challenges using neurotypical verbal and nonverbal communication in social settings.
· Reading difficulties: SLPs are uniquely qualified to work on literacy due to their extensive knowledge in language development and understanding of foundational blocks required to become a fluent reader.

Additionally, SLPs are knowledgeable in morphology (sound prefixes and suffixes), syntax (grammar), phonology (knowledge of speech sounds), semantics (word meaning/vocabulary), and pragmatics (social use of language including perspective taking and theory of mind), which are crucial for fluent reading, reading comprehension, and written expression.