Speech targets the physical production of sounds, which includes articulation and phonology.

For pediatric populations, targeting speech often involves improving articulation of specific sounds to increase intelligibility.

For adult populations, speech frequently focuses on maintaining or strengthening voice projection and clarity (e.g., due to vocal cord changes or neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease), or improving articulation following events like stroke.

Language involves the rules and symbols used to communicate meaning, encompassing both receptive language (understanding what is heard or read) and expressive language (using words, grammar, and social rules to share thoughts).

For pediatric populations, therapy targets acquiring vocabulary, using correct sentence structure, and developing social communication skills.

For adult populations, intervention often addresses cognitive-communication deficits (e.g., memory, attention, executive functioning) and acquired language disorders like aphasia.

Dysphagia focuses on the safe and efficient process of eating and swallowing safely.

For the adult population, intervention typically addresses dysphagia caused by stroke or progressive neurological conditions, using both rehabilitative exercises to strengthen swallowing muscles and compensatory strategies to ensure the safest, least restrictive diet possible, thus maintaining nutrition and quality of life.