What's in a Name?

I earned my M.A. from Louisiana State University, then received my "C's" from ASHA. Like most of you out there in the USA, my job title is "speech-language pathologist" (SLP) or "speech therapist" (ST). I have always preferred SLP over ST because I felt that it more accurately described our areas of expertise, and to me, it encompassed our role in evaluating as well as treating communication disorders. My credentials read: Jennifer Kay-Williams, MA, CCC-SLP.

Once I ventured into the world of adult services, I found that 80% or more of my caseload consisted of dysphagia patients. Not surprisingly, I found myself explaining to many families (and even some nurses and CNA's) that I was there to evaluate swallowing function and/or oromotor skills for deglutition, rather than speech skills.

I can't count how many times I've heard "Oh, but he can talk just fine" or even "Are you here because grandma has an accent? She's talked that way her whole life!"

In the interest of clarity, I began to introduce my self as a "communication and swallowing therapist". Sometimes I just said "swallowing therapist," leaving off the communication aspect if the potential patient quite clearly had no communication impairment. It was just less confusing for patients and families, and as I gained experience with swallowing and swallowing disorders, I also became more comfortable with referring to myself as a swallowing therapist as well as a speech-language therapist. After all, that's what I am.

I went to school to treat communication disorders, not fully realizing until I began my graduate course work what a large percentage of our professional career is spent on swallowing disorders. I was fortunate to have a superb professor at LSU in the field of swallowing and swallowing disorders, but I had no hands-on experience with dysphagia patients for four years after graduating because I chose to begin my career in the public schools. Once I decided to switch my career focus to adults, I quickly began to search out all of the current best practice standards and dysphagia treatment techniques that I could find. After four years, I feel comfortable in the treatment of most dysphagia patients and able to converse knowledgeably on the topic with patients, caregivers, staff and co-workers. But as long as I call myself a "swallowing therapist", I'll have to continue to hone my skills and learn about the latest research and treatments.