9 - Speech—Language Pathology: Treatment

Abstract

This chapter discusses the basic treatment of communication disorders in speech–language pathology. One of the primary considerations in choosing a treatment plan should be whether it has been shown to be effective, that is, achieved the desired results. The primary reason that treatment paradigms are not thoroughly tested in controlled studies is that clinical research is difficult to control. The effectiveness of treatment methods are often judged on the basis of how long they have been around and how widespread they are. A treatment method probably has some validity if many people have used it in many places over many years. However, judging the effectiveness of a new treatment method cannot be made on that basis. If a new treatment program is to be accepted, there must be some tangible evidence that it will do what it says it claims to do. The chapter also presents a sampling of the types and varieties of treatment applications of computers. It also describes individual programs in some detail. The application of the computer to clinical activities will have sufficient impact on the profession for many years to come.