Speech pathologists, officially called speech-language pathologists and sometimes called speech therapists, work with people who have a variety of speech-related disorders. These disorders can include the inability to produce certain sounds, speech rhythm and fluency problems, and voice disorders. They also help people who want to modify accents or who have swallowing difficulties. Speech pathologists' work involves assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of speech-related disorders.
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Education Requirements for Speech-Language Pathologists |
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In most states one must have a master's degree in speech-language pathology to work as a speech pathologist. Some states will only license speech pathologists who have graduated from a program that is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Coursework includes anatomy, physiology, the nature of disorders and the principles of acoustics. Graduate students recieve supervised clinical training.
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On a typical day a Speech Pathologist will: |
- use written and oral tests, as well as special instruments, to diagnose the nature and extent of impairment and to record and analyze speech, language, and swallowing irregularities;
- develop an individualized plan of care tailored to each patient's needs;
- select augmentative or alternative communication methods, including automated devices and sign language, and teach their use to individuals with little or no speech capability;
- teach those with little or no speech capability how to make sounds, improve their voices, or increase their language skills to communicate more effectively;
- help patients who have suffered loss of speech develop, or recover, reliable communication skills so patients can fulfill their educational, vocational, and social roles
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Speech Pathologist will work with: |
- people who cannot make speech sounds, or cannot make them clearly;
- those with speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering;
- people with voice quality problems,such as inappropriate pitch or harsh voice;
- people who have problems understanding and producing language;
- those who wish to improve their communication skills by modifying an accent;
- those with cognitive communication impairments, such as attention, memory, and problem solving disorders;
- people who have oral motor problems causing eating and swallowing difficulties
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The work environment of a Speech Pathologist: |
Speech pathologists working in school settings in 47 states must be licensed. More speech pathologists will work in private practices as hospitals and other health care facilities, as well as schools, will contract out for services. |
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