Pearland ISD employs 20 speech-language pathologists who share the motto "changing the world one word at a time."

Working in schools, these pathologists help to prevent, identify, assess and treat speech and language problems that impact students' achievement.

Services range from monitoring and collaborating with other staff in the classroom to instructing students directly.

While speech and language disorders can limit academic achievement, the good news is that most people with speech and language problems can overcome the challenges.

"Even if the problem cannot be eliminated, we can teach people with speech and language problems strategies to improve their situation. People may not fully regain their capacity to speak and understand, but a speech-language pathologist can help them live more independently," said Mary Kate Puna, Pearland ISD lead speech-language pathologist.

In Texas, speech-language pathologists hold at least a master's degree, are licensed by the state and are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

According to the ASHA, approximately 28 million Americans have a hearing loss that can be treated.

The ASHA is the national professional, scientific and credentialing association for more than 145,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists and speech, language and hearing scientists.