The Practice of Speech Pathology

The practices of what the speech language pathologist does are to prevent, evaluate, and treat communication disorders from the very young to the very old. Prevention involves screening, early intervention, and educational programs for children and adults. Screenings are also done for hearing, speech, and language.  Communication problems can result in primary handicapped conditions or are secondary to other conditions. The severity of the problems can range from mild to extreme and may be developmental or acquired. Since language disorders create an important communication handicap and language is an important aspect of communication, the role of the speech language pathologist is crucial to improving language impairments. 

Speech pathologists work with people who stutter, which is the most widespread and obvious speech disorder. They also work with those with articulation and rhythm problems and those who have a harsh voice or have speech quality problems. Other disorders which result in speech difficulties are hearing loss, stroke, brain injury, cerebral palsy, or mental disability. It is the job of the speech therapist to establish a program of speech exercises to reduce the disability. 

Speech therapists are responsible for keeping meticulous records on the assessment and continued progress of their patients while developing and implementing an individual treatment plan that may be based on input from other professionals such as physicians, social workers, and psychologists. In fact, it is extremely important that speech therapists are able to work as a member of a team because many speech disorders are usually related to neurological, psychological, and physical conditions. Their treatment plan may require input from other healthcare specialists such as a neurologist or psychiatrist. Speech therapists also have to counsel and support individuals and families to deal with the stress that speech disorders can cause on the family unit. Therapists also work with families on home treatment methods and how to adjust behavior that will encourage communication. Therapists must continually monitor the progress of their patients, always seeking to use the most effective methods for success. 

Is Speech Pathology Right for You?

To be a Speech Language Pathologist, it is important that you receive training in both academic and scientific knowledge by completing required course work and participating in practical work experience with clients who have communicative disorders. Academic course work is a prerequisite to clinical practicum, which gives you the opportunity to implement and practice what you have learned during your academic classes. In order to be committed to this profession, you must be willing to receive an extensive amount of schooling and training. A Master's Degree is required to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients and it is also required to become a full licensed speech pathologist. After completing a graduate program in the field, candidates must take and pass a comprehensive national exam called the Praxis exam. A speech pathologist graduate must intern under the direction of a licensed speech pathologist for one year before they can begin to practice independently.

In addition, candidates for this career must have empathy, tolerance, and persistence. It can be challenging and frustrating for the patient, family, and the therapist to get the desired results. The therapist must be extremely patient, as it can take quite some time for the therapist to notice results in their client's speaking abilities. Speech pathologists must also be personally warm and have an outgoing personality. This is especially true when working with a patient who is hesitant to receive therapy. A speech therapist might have to come up with ideas to encourage children to attend therapy when they are resistant. Speech therapists must also be good listeners and have excellent communication skills. While communicating with clients, speech pathologists must always use a professional tone, show confidence and speak in a way that shows they have knowledge and training in their field.

 Speech-Language Pathology offers many career choices and it is not limited to any particular gender, race, age level, marital status, or religious affiliation.  Speech-language pathologists are employed in a variety of settings including educational settings, community speech and hearing centers, federal agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, private practice, and residential facilities. The average income for a speech pathologist is $50,000 to $99,000 depending on the occupational setting. In addition, speech therapists may modify their careers at any time and have a range of choices open to them, such as audiology, special education, research, rehabilitation, occupational or physical therapy.  

Let Me Introduce Myself

Hi. My name is Melissa Winter. I am a freshman studying Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech Language Pathology) at the University of Central Florida. For several years now, it has been my desire to become a speech pathologist. I believe this field would give me so many opportunities, such as helping those in need, making a difference in a child's life, and being able to work with others. 

My true desire is to work with deaf children, as I have such an immense passion to learn the language of the deaf. I still remember the first time I fell in love with Sign Language, as I was enraptured in the story of Helen Keller and how she learned to communicate with others. I was intrigued by her ability to overcome her battle to learn how to communicate.  Ever since I was a child, it has been my own personal goal to learn Sign Language, as I know it will be truly rewarding to be able to help a deaf child communicate with others. I strongly believe in the Hippocratic Oath of this profession stated as the following: "Life without speech is empty; and life devoid of communication is scarcely better than death. Therefore, the duty we owe is sacred; and our calling is gravely important" (Chabon and Cornett). Shelly S. Chabon is currently professor and chair of the Department of speech and hearing services at Portland State University. Becky Sutherland Cornett is Associate Compliance Director, Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus OH. 

One of the goals of my blog is to educate my audience about what I have learned about the profession of speech language pathology. My intent is to inform the audience about the education required to be a speech pathologist, what a speech pathologist does, and what types of problems they treat. In addition, I plan to educate my audience about the need to identify children with hearing loss as soon as possible. Therefore, I will discuss current trends in the speech language pathology field, specifically newborn hearing screening. Lastly, I will introduce my audience to what auditory processing disorder is and how it affects speech, language, and learning, as studied by Dr. Teri James Bellis, a leader in the field of audiology.