So you want to be an SLP?
Speech Language Pathologists go by many names: SLP, speech therapist, speech teacher, they all mean the same thing. An SLP is some who can work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.
Here’s what the American Speech and Hearing Association says about the job of an SLP.
Articulation- when patients need help with making correct speech sounds
Fluency- commonly referred to as stuttering.
Voice- SLPs can help with vocal hygiene and quality.
Language disorders occur when a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings (expressive language).
Social communication disorders occur when a person has trouble with the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication. All individuals with autism spectrum disorder have social communication problems. Social communication disorders are also found individuals with other conditions, such as traumatic brain injury.
Cognitive-communication disorders include problems organizing thoughts, paying attention, remembering, planning, and/or problem-solving.
Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) are feeding and swallowing difficulties, which may follow an illness, surgery, stroke, or injury
Provide aural rehabilitation for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Provide Augmentative Alternative communication devices (AAC) to patients with severe expressive communication delays.
Work with people who do not have speech disorders but would like to learn how to more effectively communicate such as accent modification.
Speech Pathologists can work in many settings. You probably had one at your elementary school but we can also work in hospitals, nursing homes, rehab facilities, private clinics, or even in your home! It takes several years of training to become an SLP. They must earn a graduate degree, successfully complete the required clinical experiences, and pass a national examination. To be fully certified, they also must undergo a year of supervision in their first work setting.
It takes a lot of effort to become a Speech Language Pathologist, but it is an extremely rewarding career. It is also a career that is in demand and that need is expected to continue to rise.
Sound like a good fit for you?
Here’s more information! Or contact Honey Pie Therapy
https://www.asha.org/Students/Speech-Language-Pathologists/
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8XYIFygdg6UsggHQVGS5ViwwaFMRCtd2
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Speech-language-pathologists.htm
