Which type of licensed professional is specifically recognized for evaluating speech impairments?

The correct choice is a licensed speech-language pathologist. This professional is specifically trained and recognized for assessing, diagnosing, and treating speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders. They hold specialized knowledge and skills related to various speech impairments, enabling them to evaluate the intricacies of both verbal and non-verbal communication issues.

In the context of social security disability evaluations, a licensed speech-language pathologist plays a crucial role in determining how speech impairments impact an individual's ability to function in daily life. Their assessments include evaluating an individual’s ability to articulate sounds, fluency, voice quality, and overall communication effectiveness.

Other licensed professionals, such as medical doctors, psychologists, or podiatrists, have distinct areas of expertise. Medical doctors may focus on physical health and medical conditions; psychologists are mainly concerned with mental health and emotional issues; and podiatrists specialize in foot and ankle care. Their training does not encompass the specialized knowledge required to evaluate speech impairments comprehensively. Thus, the role of a licensed speech-language pathologist stands out as the most relevant for this specific evaluation.