Normalizing Speech Therapy at Any Age

Insights by Kelly Shenk, Clinical Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology

Many people still associate speech therapy with childhood — images of early intervention sessions, articulation practice in elementary schools, or young children building language skills. While speech therapy certainly plays a critical role in early development, this narrow perception overlooks the full scope of the field and its tremendous value across the lifespan.

According to Kelly Shenk, clinical assistant professor in speech-language pathology at Lebanon Valley College, that misconception has deep roots. “Many people first encounter speech therapy when a child in their life needs support,” she explains. “That early exposure shapes perceptions, and because the word speech is in our job title, people often assume we only work on talking.” She notes that families may know a child in early intervention or remember a classmate receiving articulation services — experiences that naturally focus attention on kids. Yet those snapshots barely scratch the surface of what speech-language pathologists (SLPs) do.

In reality, SLPs specialize in nine distinct areas of practice, spanning far more than speech alone. These include articulation, fluency, voice and resonance, expressive and receptive language, hearing-related needs, cognitive-communication, social communication, swallowing (dysphagia), and communication modalities such as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). These areas allow SLPs to support individuals through every phase of life, from infancy to advanced age.

Even so, adults are often surprised to learn that they, too, may benefit from speech therapy — sometimes for reasons they never imagined. Many assume that speech therapy only addresses difficulties with speaking clearly. In clinical settings, however, SLPs are routinely consulted to support cognitive function, language processing, and swallowing safety after medical events or during degenerative conditions. Dysphagia, the medical term for difficulty swallowing, is a major area of practice, particularly in hospitals and rehabilitation settings.

“Many times, adults will say, ‘I don’t need speech therapy; my speech is fine,’” Shenk says. “But we may be consulted for cognitive function, language issues, or swallowing difficulties.” For adults recovering from stroke or head injury, SLPs help rebuild attention, memory, problem solving, and cognitive flexibility — essential skills for returning to independent living, work, and community life. Students in Communication Sciences and Disorders programs are often surprised to discover how central dysphagia and cognition are in medical speech-language pathology.

Despite this wide range of services, lingering stigma can make adults hesitant to seek help. Concerns about memory, thinking, and aging can feel deeply personal.

“People don’t want to be labeled as having a problem with memory or thinking,” Shenk says. “There’s more openness now around therapy and loss of function, but we still have work to do.” She emphasizes that speech therapy for adults mirrors the goals of physical therapy: restoring lost abilities, compensating or adapting when needed, maintaining current function, and preventing future decline. SLPs also educate adults about normal aging and strategies to build cognitive reserve — a proactive step many individuals find empowering.

Reducing stigma requires collaboration across fields, Shenk notes, from educators and medical professionals to families and community members. Open conversation and early referrals are essential. “Communication is a lifelong skill,” Shenk emphasizes, and supporting that skill means recognizing the value of therapy at every age. SLPs frequently work alongside physical and occupational therapists, nurses, respiratory therapists, physicians, teachers, dieticians and nutritionists, reading specialists, and others to create strong, interprofessional care teams that prioritize the individual’s goals and quality of life.

For adults, speech therapy becomes especially meaningful during life transitions or after major health events. Therapy may focus on regaining communication abilities after a stroke, maintaining function during the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, or supporting recovery from a traumatic brain injury. SLPs may also work with vocalists to strengthen vocal hygiene habits that support performance longevity. For individuals with ALS, SLPs provide guidance throughout the disease process — from strategies that enhance speech intelligibility to preparing for and implementing AAC devices as communication needs evolve.

Speech therapy also supports healthy aging by helping adults manage the normal “forgetfulness” that often accompanies growing older. Through education and personalized strategies, SLPs help individuals stay engaged, independent, and confident in their daily lives.

While early intervention remains essential for young children, Shenk notes that its importance does not diminish the value of adult services. The needs across the lifespan are simply different. “Early intervention is essential for children who are at risk for or demonstrating delays in communication and language development,” she says. “And later in life, when we experience a decline in function, we may need extra support again. At every stage, the goal is to stay fully engaged and participating in life.”

With a broader understanding of the field and a greater appreciation for its depth, Shenk hopes more people will view speech therapy as a normal, empowering resource — not just for children, but for anyone seeking to maintain or improve communication, cognition, or swallowing health throughout their lifetime.