Sec. 17601.

(1) As used in this part:

(a) "Practice of speech-language pathology", subject to subsection (2), means the application of principles, methods, and procedures related to the development of disorders of human communication including the following:

(i) Identifying by history or nonmedical physical examination, assessing, treating with therapy, rehabilitating, and preventing disorders of speech, voice, and language.

(ii) Identifying by history or nonmedical physical examination, assessing, treating with therapy, rehabilitating, and preventing disorders of oral-pharyngeal function and disorders related to swallowing dysfunction.

(iii) Identifying by history or nonmedical physical examination, assessing, treating with therapy, rehabilitating, and preventing cognitive-communicative disorders.

(iv) Assessing, selecting, and developing augmentative and alternative communication systems and providing training in their use.

(v) Providing speech-language treatment or therapy and related counseling services to deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons and their families.

(vi) Enhancing speech-language proficiency and communication effectiveness.

(vii) Screening of hearing for the purpose of speech-language assessment provided that judgments and descriptive statements about results of that screening are limited to pass-fail determinations.

(b) "Speech-language pathologist" means an individual who is engaged in the practice of speech-language pathology.

(2) Practice of speech-language pathology does not include either of the following:

(a) The practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine and surgery or medical diagnosis, medical management with medication, surgical interventions, ordering medical testing, or medical treatment.

(b) The fitting and dispensing of hearing aids under article 13 of the occupational code, 1980 PA 299, MCL 339.1301 to 339.1309.

(3) In addition to the definitions in this part, article 1 contains general definitions and principles of construction applicable to all articles in this act and part 161 contains definitions applicable to this part.

History: Add. 2008, Act 524, Imd. Eff. Jan. 13, 2009 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 238, Eff. Sept. 22, 2016 Popular Name: Act 368