Speech-Language Pathologist
A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), often known as a speech therapist, specializes in assessing and treating communication and swallowing disorders. They work with clients experiencing a variety of issues, such as stuttering, voice disorders, and language comprehension problems. SLPs are found in diverse environments, including medical clinics, hospitals, and educational settings, where they collaborate with other professionals to provide comprehensive care. Their role is crucial for individuals with developmental delays, learning disabilities, and those recovering from medical events like strokes.
The profession attracts individuals who are hands-on, enjoy interpersonal interactions, and have traits like problem-solving skills and a desire to help others. Daily responsibilities encompass direct patient care, including assessments and treatment planning, as well as administrative tasks like maintaining patient records. SLPs also utilize various technologies, including assistive devices and communication tools, in their practice. Educational pathways to becoming an SLP typically involve coursework in speech studies, psychology, and biology, alongside hands-on experience through internships or related work. Overall, SLPs play a vital role in enhancing communication abilities and improving quality of life for their clients.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Education & Training, Health Science
Interests: Anatomy, physiology, speech pathology, patient assessment, creating treatment plans, speech and audiology research
Earnings (Yearly Median): $84,140 per year $40.45 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 19% (Much faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Master's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Internship/residency
Overview
Sphere of Work. Speech-language pathologists, more commonly referred to as speech therapists, are trained to assess and treat disorders of expressive and receptive speech, voice, swallowing, and language. Speech-language pathologists treat clients with a wide range of speech-related problems, including swallowing issues, inability to make speech sounds, stutters, receptive language disorders, and voice disorders. Speech-language pathology skills tend to be well compensated and in demand in a variety of work settings.
Work Environment. Speech-language pathologists work in therapeutic settings, such as medical clinics or hospitals, and in schools. In medical environments, speech-language pathologists generally partner with medical and social service professionals, such as doctors and social workers, to treat communication and swallowing problems caused by medical events, such as strokes or premature birth. In school settings, speech-language pathologists partner with educational professionals, such as teachers and special-education coordinators, to address a student’s speech-related deficiency or issue. Speech therapy, provided by a speech-language pathologist, is a common component of a special-needs child’s individualized education plan (IEP).
Occupation Interest. Individuals attracted to the speech-language pathology profession tend to be active people who enjoy hands-on work and close interaction with others. Individuals who excel as speech therapists exhibit traits such as intellectual curiosity, problem-solving, a desire to help, and a social conscience. Speech-language pathologists must understand and respect science and scientific inquiry and be able to work as part of a team to meet patient needs.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. A speech-language pathologist’s daily duties and responsibilities include full days of hands-on patient interaction and treatment, as well as administrative duties. Patients seen by speech-language pathologists include those experiencing developmental delays, structural deformities, learning disabilities, cleft palate, stroke complications, cerebral palsy, trauma complications, intellectual disabilities, or hearing loss.
As a medical or therapeutic professional, speech-language pathologists interact with patients or clients on a daily basis. Daily work includes quantitative and qualitative assessment of patient speech problems using standardized tests and interviewing techniques, creating patient treatment plans, and advising patients on the use of hearing communication devices. Speech-language pathologists also teach sign language to hearing-impaired individuals and their families, meet with patient families or treatment teams, and provide eating and swallowing therapy to patients.
A speech-language pathologist’s daily administrative responsibilities include the record-keeping involved with patient evaluation and treatment. Speech-language pathologists must draft treatment plans, record notes following patient treatment sessions, provide written updates to patient treatment teams, and provide insurance companies with patient records and progress notes as required. Independent speech-language pathologists who work outside of a school or medical clinic may also be responsible for patient appointment scheduling and billing.
Academic speech-language pathologists may work in a research capacity rather than a patient or clinical capacity. Academic speech-language pathologists have daily teaching, research, and publication responsibilities.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Speech-language pathologists work in classroom settings, hospitals, and medical and therapeutic offices. Classroom settings are arranged for students, with desks, chairs, and floor seating. Medical settings are usually sparse and sterile. Therapeutic office settings used by speech-language pathologists may be shared with other therapeutic professionals, such as occupational, physical, or recreational therapists.
Human Environment. Speech-language pathologists usually work as part of a patient treatment team, including patient families, teachers, doctors, and additional therapists. As a member of a treatment team, speech-language pathologists participate in frequent team meetings and are responsible for communicating patient progress to fellow team members.
Technological Environment. Speech-language pathologists use a wide variety of technology in their work. Computers and Internet communication tools are a ubiquitous part of speech-language pathology work. In addition, speech-language pathologists generally learn how to use and teach sign language and assistive technological devices, such as hearing aids and computer touch screens.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing the profession of speech-language pathology should develop good study habits. High-school-level coursework in biology, psychology, anatomy, sociology, and mathematics will prepare students for college- and graduate-level studies. Students interested in speech-language pathology will benefit from seeking internships or part-time work with speech pathologists or people who have speech-related problems.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in pursuing training in speech-language pathology should complete coursework in speech studies, if offered by their school, as well as courses on biology, psychology, anatomy, sociology, and mathematics. Postsecondary students interested in attending graduate school in speech-language pathology will benefit from seeking internships or working with speech pathologists or people who have speech-related problems. Membership in the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) may provide networking opportunities and connections. Prior to graduating, college students interested in joining the speech-language pathology profession should apply to graduate school for speech-language pathology or secure related work, such as speech-therapy assistant or speech-research assistant.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
"Speech-Language Pathologists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023.