How is the practice of speech language pathology defined in Minnesota?

The "practice of speech-language pathology" means:

• Identification, assessment, and interpretation, diagnosis, habilitation, rehabilitation, treatment and prevention of disorders of speech, articulation, fluency, voice, and language;
• Identification, assessment, and interpretation, diagnosis, habilitation, and rehabilitation of disorders of oral-pharyngeal function and related disorders; and
• Identification, assessment, and interpretation, diagnosis, habilitation, and rehabilitation of communication disorders associated with cognition.

What is included in the practice of speech-language pathology?

Assessing, selecting, and developing augmentative and alternative communication systems and providing training in their use.

Aural habilitation and rehabilitation and related counseling for individuals who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing and their families.

Enhancing speech-language proficiency and communication effectiveness.

Screening individuals for hearing loss or middle ear pathology for the purposes of speech-language evaluation or for the identification of possible hearing disorders

What is specifically excluded from the practice?

The practice of speech-language pathology does not include the practice of medicine and surgery, or osteopathic medicine and surgery, or medical diagnosis that is commonly performed by a physician.

Are there any special trainings or requirements?

N/A

Reference

Minn. Stat. § 148.512