The Profession of Speech-Language Pathology
What Speech-Language Pathologists Do
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) describes the profession the following way:
"Working with the full range of human communication and its disorders, speech-language pathologists:
- Evaluate and diagnose speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders.
- Treat speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly.
Patience, persistence, and lots of caring create strong bonds.
In addition, speech-language pathologists may:
- Teach in college and university programs.
- Manage agencies, clinics, organizations, or private practices.
- Engage in research to enhance knowledge about human communication processes.
- Supervise and direct public school or clinical programs.
- Develop new methods and products to evaluate and treat speech-language disorders."
Speech-language pathologists often work in teams, which may include teachers, physicians, audiologists, psychologists, social workers, rehabilitation counselors and others. Corporate speech-language pathologists also work with employees to improve communication with their customers.
The Educational Requirements and Clinical Certification
AHSA advises that any one considering the profession must have "...a sincere interest in helping people, an above average intellectual aptitude, and the sensitivity, personal warmth, and perspective to be able to interact with the person who has a communication problem." In addition, scientific aptitude, patience, emotional stability, tolerance, and persistence are vital requirements. A speech-language pathologist must be resourceful and imaginative. Moreover, above average spoken and written communication are essential along the ability to work effectively in teams.
Like audiologists, the academic foundations of a speech-language pathologist start in high school. A mix of natural sciences, physics, social sciences, English, mathematics, public speaking, language, and psychology comprise the right curriculum. Undergraduate-college training requires an arts and sciences focus with classes in linguistics, phonetics, anatomy, psychology, human development, biology, physiology, mathematics, physical science, social/behavorial sciences and semantics. Many speech-language pathologist enroll in undergraduate degrees in communication sciences and disorders.
To practice in the United States, speech-language pathologists must earn a graduate degree from a university that is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). They must also successfully complete the required clinical experiences, pass a national examination, and comply with state regulatory (licensure) standards. Once certified by ASHA, speech-language pathologists may include the CCC-SLP after their name, that is, Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology.
If you're interested in a career in speech-language pathology or would like to learn more about this challenging profession, visit ASHA.