Precision Medicine as a New Frontier in Speech-Language Pathology: How Applying Insights From Behavior Genomics Can Improve Outcomes in Communication Disorders

Abstract

Purpose: Precision medicine is an emerging intervention paradigm that leverages knowledge of risk factors such as genotypes, lifestyle, and environment toward proactive and personalized interventions. Regarding genetic risk factors, examples of interventions informed by the field of medical genomics are pharmacological interventions tailored to an individual's genotype and anticipatory guidance for children whose hearing impairment is predicted to be progressive. Here, we show how principles of precision medicine and insights from behavior genomics have relevance for novel management strategies of behaviorally expressed disorders, especially disorders of spoken language. Method: This tutorial presents an overview of precision medicine, medical genomics, and behavior genomics; case examples of improved outcomes; and strategic goals toward enhancing clinical practice. Results: Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) see individuals with various communication disorders due to genetic variants. Ways of using insights from behavior genomics and implementing principles of precision medicine include recognizing early signs of undiagnosed genetic disorders in an individual's communication patterns, making appropriate referrals to genetics professionals, and incorporating genetic findings into management plans. Patients benefit from a genetics diagnosis by gaining a deeper and more prognostic understanding of their condition, obtaining more precisely targeted interventions, and learning about their recurrence risks. Conclusions: SLPs can achieve improved outcomes by expanding their purview to include genetics. To drive this new interdisciplinary framework forward, goals should include systematic training in clinical genetics for SLPs, enhanced understanding of genotype–phenotype associations, leveraging insights from animal models, optimizing interprofessional team efforts, and developing novel proactive and personalized interventions.