Section 3Sec./Art. 3

Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

(a) Communication disorder refers to the impairment in the ability to: (1) receive and/or process symbol systems; (2) represent concepts in systems; or (3) transmit and use symbol systems. The impairment may be observed in the disorders of hearing, language, and speech processes.

(b) Diagnosis refers to the act of identifying a human communication or swallowing abnormality or disorder by analyzing the symptoms presented. It may also include a study of the origin and development of the symptoms.

(c) Evaluation refers to the global appraisal of the significance and implications of a diagnostic assessment that may include formal and informal procedures.

(d) Language refers to any socially and culturally accepted, structured symbolic system for interpersonal communication composed of sounds, letters, manual sign or other symbols arranged in ordered sequences or strings that express thoughts, intentions, experiences and feelings comprised of orthographic, phonological, syntactic, semantic or pragmatic components.

(e) Speech refers to the medium of oral communication that employs a linguistic code (language). Through this medium, one can express thoughts and feelings, and understand those of others who employ the same code.

(f) Speech language pathologist refers to a person who is registered and licensed to practice speech language pathology and who holds a valid certificate of registration and professional identification card issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of Speech Language Pathology and the Professional Regulation Commission under the provisions of this Act.

(g) Speech language pathology refers to the allied health profession devoted to the evaluation, diagnosis, management, and prevention of human communication and swallowing disorders.

(h) Swallowing disorder refers to difficulties in the management of a solid or liquid bolus in the oral, pharyngeal, or laryngeal stages of feeding.

ARTICLE II

THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY