What is Speech & Language Therapy

What is Speech & Language Therapy?

Speech and Language Therapy emerged as a profession as shell shocked soldiers returned from WW1 and the horrors of the Front- some had lost their ability to communicate using speech.  Prior to WW1 Speech & Language Therapy had focused on adults who had a ‘stutter’.

It was in the period between the two wars that formal training courses evolved to train Speech & Language Therapists.  After WW2 a formal, professional organisation was founded – the College of Speech & Language Therapists – which continues the work of developing and representing as well as supporting Speech & Language Therapists wherever they work in the UK. 

The patron of the College for many years was Her Majesty the Queen Mother whose husband’s difficulties in speaking have become established and better understood in recent years.  The College has a Royal Charter and is now known as the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists and its patron now is the Countess of Wessex. 

The focus on Speech & Language Therapy has expanded from young soldiers to include any age group, in any locality – hospital, health clinic, school – with a wide variety of aetiologies/conditions.  Most Speech & Language Therapists work for the NHS but there are an increasing number who do not.  These therapists may work independently or for the increasing number of charitable organisations that value and recognise the need for Speech & Language Therapy in their organisation.

Therapists that work independently should ideally be registered with the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists in Independent Practice