For the purposes of this chapter, the practice of speech-language pathology is the application of principles, methods, and procedures related to the development, disorders, and effectiveness of human communication and related functions including providing prevention, screening, consultation, assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, intervention management, counseling, collaboration, and referral services for disorders of speech, language, feeding, and swallowing, and for cognitive aspects of communication. The practice of speech-language pathology includes:

(1) Establishing augmentative and alternative communication techniques and strategies, including developing, selecting, and prescribing of techniques, strategies, and devices, excluding the dispensing and fitting of hearing aids pursuant to chapter 36-24;

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(2) Providing services to individuals with hearing loss and their families;

(3) Screening individuals for hearing loss or middle ear pathology using conventional pure-tone air conduction methods, otoacoustic emissions screening, or screening typanometry;

(4) Using instrumentation to observe, collect data, and measure parameters of communication and swallowing;

(5) Selecting, fitting, and establishing effective use of prosthetic or adaptive devices for communication, swallowing, or other upper aerodigestive functions; and

(6) Providing services to modify or enhance communication performance.

Source: SL 2012, ch 196, § 2; SL 2023, ch 141, § 2.