Speech-Language Pathologists
Official O*NET title: Speech-Language Pathologists (29-1127.00)
Also called: bilingual speech-language pathologist, pediatric speech-language pathologist, speech and language clinician, speech and language specialist, speech and language teacher
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing speech-language pathologists work
3 of 17 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use yet) — 18%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Develop or put in place treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Educate patients and family members about various topics (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Supervise or collaborate with therapy team (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients' progress (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Teach clients to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, or breathing mechanisms (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Instruct clients in techniques for more effective communication (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Consult with and advise educators or medical staff on speech or hearing topics (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Develop speech exercise programs to reduce disabilities (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Complete administrative responsibilities (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Consult with and refer clients to additional medical or educational services (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Design, develop, or employ alternative diagnostic or communication devices or strategies (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Participate in conferences, training, continuing education courses, or publish research results to share knowledge of new hearing or speech disorder treatment methods or technologies (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Use computer applications to identify or assist with communication disabilities (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Provide communication instruction to dialect speakers or students with limited English proficiency — some recorded AI use
- Conduct or direct research on speech or hearing topics and report findings for use in developing procedures, technologies, or treatments — some recorded AI use
- Develop individual or group activities or programs in schools to deal with behavior, speech, language, or swallowing problems — no recorded AI use
- Conduct lessons or direct educational or therapeutic games to assist teachers dealing with speech problems — no recorded AI use
- Supervise students or assistants — too new for the AI data
- Communicate with students who use an alternative method of communications, using sign language or computer technology — too new for the AI data
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly”. Try the prompt for: “Provide communication instruction to dialect speakers or students with limited English proficiency”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and speech-language pathologists
Will AI replace speech-language pathologists?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 3 of the 17 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Green rating (little AI use yet). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 16 of the 23 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which speech-language pathologist tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly; write reports and maintain proper documentation of information; provide communication instruction to dialect speakers or students with limited english proficiency.
Which speech-language pathologist tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders; administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments; educate patients and family members about various topics. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 48% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a speech-language pathologist start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Speech-Language Pathologists ranks #377 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #42 of 80 in Healthcare.
Related jobs
- Will AI change healthcare managers?
- Will AI change chiropractors?
- Will AI change dentists?
- Will AI change oral surgeons?
- Will AI change orthodontists?
- Will AI change prosthodontists?
- Will AI change occupational therapists?
- Will AI change occupational therapy assistants?
- Will AI change audiologists?
- Will AI change occupational therapy aides?
- See all jobs