logopéd

Logopæd is an historical or regional term for a professional who studies, diagnoses, and treats speech and language disorders. The word derives from Greek logos, "speech," and paideia, "education" or "training." In contemporary contexts, the field is more commonly called speech-language pathology, and practitioners are referred to as speech-language pathologists (SLPs) or speech and language therapists; logopæd is now largely archaic or encountered in older texts or certain regions.

Scope of practice includes the assessment and treatment of disorders of articulation, phonology, language, voice, fluency, swallowing, and cognitive-communication. Logopaedists work across the lifespan, with children to support language development and with adults for rehabilitation after stroke, brain injury, degenerative disease, or voice disorders. They may administer tests, design therapy plans, implement remediation, and monitor progress. They also advise families and educators, and may use assistive technologies and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems.

Education and regulation: entry typically requires university-level study culminating in a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or an equivalent qualification, followed by supervised practice and licensure or registration where required. In the United States, the field is regulated by state boards and professional bodies such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), which issues the CCC-SLP credential. In the United Kingdom and many other countries, practitioners are registered with national health or professional bodies (for example HCPC in the UK) and practice as speech and language therapists. The term logopæd thus persists chiefly in historical or regional usage, while the mainstream title remains speech-language pathologist or speech and language therapist.