In the context of care teams, what is the function of a speech therapist?

A speech therapist plays a vital role within care teams, primarily focusing on assessing and improving communication abilities. This includes diagnosing and treating speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. Speech therapists work with individuals who may have difficulty speaking or understanding language due to various reasons, including developmental delays, neurological disorders, or injuries. Their expertise allows them to develop personalized strategies and therapies to enhance effective communication, which is critical for patients' overall quality of life and their ability to interact with others.

The function of a speech therapist is distinct from monitoring sleep apnea, which falls under the expertise of respiratory therapists or medical doctors, and does not involve mobility assistance that is typically managed by physical therapists or occupational therapists. Additionally, while some speech therapists may have knowledge about nutrition and dietary plans, this is not their primary role; those responsibilities are handled by registered dietitians or nutritionists. Thus, the role of the speech therapist is specifically centered around communication, making the choice related to assessing and improving communication abilities the correct answer.