Which professional diagnoses and treats communication disorders?

• A. Occupational Therapist
• B. Physical Therapist
• C. Speech Therapist
• D. Psychologist

Answer: (C)

Speech-Language Pathologists, often called speech therapists, diagnose and treat communication disorders by assessing speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing. They create targeted therapy plans to help individuals improve how they express and understand language, as well as how they coordinate feeding and swallowing when needed. This role is distinct because it specifically centers on communication and related disorders, across settings like schools, clinics, and hospitals.

Occupational therapists focus on daily living skills and fine motor abilities, not primarily on diagnosing or treating speech and language problems. Physical therapists concentrate on movement and physical function. Psychologists address mental health, behavior, and cognitive processes, and while they may assess communication in some contexts, they do not specialize in diagnosing and treating communication disorders.