The speech language pathologist, commonly called speech therapist, has an important role in managing the symptoms of ALS. Creating thoughts, words and phrases, no matter if in verbal or written forms, is a complex process involving regions of the brain and a complex network of nerves and muscles throughout the body.

Overall, more than 100 muscles are used to create speech! Tiny muscles in the tongue, lips, jaw, face, neck and chest must all coordinate in specific timing to form spoken sounds, words, and phrases. Since speech is coordinated on exhaled air from the lungs, the respiratory system is also important to communication. These same muscles coordinate in a very different way to chew and swallow food and liquids. The goal of speech therapy is to improve and/or maintain communication, as well as eating/swallowing skills for activities of daily living.