Speech-Language Pathology Department
Who We Are and What We Do

Who needs a Speech-Language Pathologist ?
Last year alone 3355 young children or adults were referred for the first time to Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centres for assessment of suspected communication disorder. Many of these patients have other medical problems that prevent speech, language expression or understanding, or swallowing. Children with cleft lip or palate, hearing impairment, autism, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, or other abnormalities affecting physical, intellectual, and psychological development, will have difficulties developing normal speech and language skills. Adults also suffer from a variety of problems that need the services of a speech-language pathologist. These include:
• stroke
• head injury
• cancer of the mouth and throat
• degenerative diseases (e.g. ALS, Parkinson’s Disease)
• hearing impairment
• vocal nodules or polyps

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