Speech therapists are people who are specially trained in helping patients regain and increase their ability to communicate with speech.

Speech therapists are part of the health care team; they will work closely with your physician and the therapists to determine what therapy is best for the individual person. This is based on many factors including the person's:
* illness,
* disability,
* motivation,
* home situation, and
* extent of the person's speech impairment.

Illnesses where a speech therapist is usually consulted include:
* congenital problems like cleft palate or cleft lip,
* stuttering or other problems with talking,
* delayed speech in childhood,
* abnormal childhood languages,
* after trauma which results in loss of language,
* after stroke which results in loss of language, or
* after cancer surgery involving the mouth or throat.

Speech therapy includes:
* training and repetitive exercises, and
* use of devices that can make it easier for some people to speak.

Speech therapists also work closely with the person's family, as they are usually the ones who will help care for the person upon discharge from the hospital or treatment center.

Speak with your healthcare provider if you think you or a loved one might benefit from speech therapy.

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