Speech-language pathology helps patients develop or regain their speech, language, cognitive communication, and swallowing skills. Adults may need speech-language pathology after a stroke or traumatic accident that changes their ability to communicate. Parkinson’s disease, dementia and other neurological conditions can affect communication and may be treated by speech therapy. Children may need speech-language pathology when they are delayed in reaching developmental milestones or when conditions affecting speech, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, cleft palate, learning disabilities, hearing impairment, genetic disorders, prematurity or a brain injury have been identified. Both adults and children may need to see a speech-language pathologist if they are having swallowing difficulties. Symptoms of swallowing problems include coughing and choking at meals, unexplained weight loss and frequent pneumonias.