Speech Therapy for Adults

Speech and Language Pathologists (SLPs) are experts in how people speak, use, and understand language.

SLPs can help adults with expressive skills such as:

• saying words clearly

• using their voice loudly enough

• speaking smoothly, without stuttering

• putting words into sentences

• using different kinds of sentences

• expressing their wants and needs

• participating in a conversation

• telling a story

• organizing their ideas when they speak

• understanding and using the social norms of language

• expressing ideas in their writing

SLPs can help adults with receptive skills such as:

• understanding sentences and stories

• listening and understanding during a conversation

• understanding spoken lessons

• reading comprehension

• following directions

• responding as expected to what other people say

• understanding social cues within conversation

• making sense of jokes and nonliteral language

• understanding abstract language

Some people do not learn speech and language in a typical way, even with intervention. SLPs can help everyone to communicate.

SPLs can help with:

• communicating with gestures, non-word sounds, and facial expression

• using augmentative or alternative communication (AAC) systems

• using a manual (signed) language instead of a spoken language

Speech and Language Pathologists (SLPs) are experts in how the mouth works, including how people eat, drink, and swallow.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, SLPs can help adults with feeding skills by:

• doing a swallow study to determine if they are aspirating (getting food into their breathing/respiratory tract instead of their stomach)

• strengthening mouth muscles

• helping with chewing and swallowing

• adjusting the texture and consistency of food and drink to make swallowing easier and safer

• expanding the range of foods a person will eat

• helping the young adult to participate in meals, even if they do not eat by mouth

Speech and Language Pathologists work with young adults in multiple settings:

• Schools

• Hospitals 

• Clinics 

In a hospital, many adults with heart defects can receive speech and language therapy to work on feeding and swallowing concerns. If they have an injury that causes them to lose speech or language skills, they can usually get speech and language therapy to re-learn lost skills. In many hospitals, patients may not be able to receive speech and language therapy while they are inpatient to learn new communication skills.

Young adults who receive Special Education through an 18-22 program can often get free speech and language therapy at school. Families can contact their school district to discuss how a young adult's education plan is serving their needs.

When someone has a heart defect, medical insurance will often pay for speech and language therapy in an outpatient setting.  Families can talk with their doctors about options for speech and language services in their area.   

This content was reviewed by a Speech and Language Pathologist at Boston Children's Hospital.

Families local to Boston can contact Boston Children's Hospital's Speech and Language Pathology Program here: