Skills
Speech-Language Pathologist Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in speech-language pathologists, and how to build and show them.
Speech-Language Pathologists need technical skills such as language assessment, articulation therapy, and swallowing evaluation, plus people skills like patience and creativity. They also use tools such as Assessment tests and AAC devices.
Technical (hard) skills
- Language assessment
- Articulation therapy
- Swallowing evaluation
- Fluency treatment
- AAC devices
- IEP writing
People (soft) skills
- Patience
- Creativity
- Communication
- Empathy
Tools, equipment and technology
- Assessment tests
- AAC devices
- Therapy materials and games
- Telehealth platforms
- Swallowing study equipment
- Documentation software
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how speech-language pathologists put their skills to work:
- How to run an articulation therapy session
- How to screen for swallowing problems
- How to write IEP speech goals
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “Language assessment” and “Articulation therapy.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “patience,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as CCC-SLP (ASHA) near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our speech-language pathologist glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Speech-Language Pathologist training introduces each of these skills with plain-language lessons, procedures and a final knowledge check: a strong foundation before hands-on training or your first day.