Speech Language Pathologist Research Paper

Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC) is the description for communication strategies or physical tools that ASD individuals use to enhance their capability of understanding others and enhancing the ability of ASD individuals to make their needs, wants and intentions known (DynaVox 2009). AAC aids people who have some type of problem with writing or speaking so their uses are not only restricted to ASD children and adults. The no-technology version of AAC does not require a physical aid because AAC is when pointing or making gestures is used to show what is needed or wanted. The low technology version is the use of communication books and electronic communication boards. High technology AAC

Through each session I target each students needs through daily lesson plans created from the goals assigned by the licensed speech pathologist. I feel it is important to build a strong relationship that has a powerful effect on the students therapy progress, so I attempt to put myself in my students' shoes. It is important that I am compassionate, empathetic, and supportive to their needs. There is a quote by BJ Gallagher that states: “The land of opportunity is an attitude. It is an openness to new ideas, a willingness to listen, an eagerness to learn, a desire to grow, and the flexibility to change.” This quote reminds me why I love this career.

The American Speech- Language- Hearing Association (2011) has clearly stated the scope of practice for practicing Speech Language Pathologist as it relates to Augmentative Alternative Communication. It includes:

Based on evaluation findings from an interdisciplinary team including a Speech-Language Pathologist, a school Psychologist, classroom teachers, and Mary Lou’s parents, Mary Lou has been diagnosed with dyslexia characterized under Language-Based Learning Disability (LLD) as she exhibits difficulty with both spoken and written words (ASHA, 2016). Based on below average score in following directions on the CELF-5, and Mary Lou’s self report of difficulties in comprehending verbal instructions from classroom teachers Mary Lou was diagnosed with a mild receptive language disorder. Mary Lou’s diagnosis of a receptive language disorder is then further impacted by her reduced processing speed as noted in standardized assessment using the WISC.

For my research I have chosen to discuss the key role of a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). Speech Language Pathologists can best be recognized as qualified practitioners that identify, diagnose and treat communicative disorders (Serpanos & Senzer, 2015). There are two types of disorders that a SLP can be used for: speech disorder and language disorder. A speech disorder can best be described as a person that has trouble producing sounds correctly or fluently. A language disorder is recognized as someone who has trouble expressing thoughts, feelings and ideas through speech. SLP’s are taught how to treat each pf these disorders.

My career goal is to become a Speech Pathologist. I became interested in this career after being placed in the caregiving field after taking a personality test. Looking at the career options I found Speech Pathology. My twin sister’s adoptive mom, Jamee, is a Speech Pathologist. After I observed her for a few days I realized that I wanted to be a Speech Pathologist. Jamee told me what courses she took in college and what she did during her sessions with each student. Jamee currently works at Greenville Michigan middle school and before that she worked for eight years in a hospital. After speaking with her, I learned that being a Speech Pathologist in a school or a small clinic would be a better environment for me to work in. My educational

Despite having numerous species roaming the Earth, infants and young children are more fascinated with human speech. There are certain characteristics in human speech that distinguish it from any other species found in Earth. Previous studies performed by speech language pathologists show that infants and young children are particularly fond of familiar voices, and are easily able to respond more quickly to them as opposed to strangers. Whether the adults realize it or not, they speak to their children differently than to an adult. The intonation and rhythm in the adult’s voice are usually different around young children, causing the adults to be able to get the children’s attention. Over the years, speech language pathologists have conducted

I have never had a family member who was a speech pathologist nor did any of my family members have speech problems. There isn’t an exact moment that have occurred in my life that made me want to become a speech pathologist. Instead, there are numerous reasons why I believe this profession is right for me. What initially made this profession stand out to me was the fact that a child is able to transition from stuttering every few words in everyday conversation to speaking several sentences at a time without stuttering, it’s astonishing to me. This incredible achievement was due to them attending therapy sessions and learning different strategies/methods to control it. The gradual process of a client making significant improvements with their

The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) defines the term cleft as a split or divide (2015). There are many types of cleft palates, but two specific cleft palates are a cleft of the hard and/or soft palate and a submucous cleft palate. The cleft of the hard and/or soft palate is a visible opening of the roof of the mouth. A submucous cleft is not as noticeable because a mucous membrane covers the cleft of the bone and/or muscles. Cleft palates are congenital birth defects, which means there are multiple factors that can cause a cleft palate during pregnancy. There is no single cause to a cleft palate, but things such as smoking, diabetes, substance abuse, poor prenatal health care and sometimes genetics are all possible factors

Throughout high school, my experiences have taught me to be a responsible, hard working leader. This will benefit me to reach my goals of becoming a Speech Pathologist specializing in helping children with Down Syndrome. Earning this scholarship from the Association of Indiana Counties will help me be one step closer to achieving this goal.

The young boy is sitting in front of the professional who is going to help him get through his speaking disorder. He has struggled his whole life with a speaking disorder, and it all came from a cleft palate that he has just had surgery to get fixed. Now he needs help relearning how to speak and communicate. Approximately 43,000,000 people in the United States alone have communication disorders. This means that there are 43,000,000 people along with this little boy that have problems with speech, vocal use, language, and hearing. All these problems can be helped through the work of a speech-language pathologist. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are important and vital to our modern society because they help to prevent, assess, diagnose,

178 Wilkins Hollow 
Forest City, NC 28043
January 8, 2016

Mr. DeCaprio 
Rutherford Early College High School 
286 ICC Loop Road 
Spindale, NC 28160 


Dear Mr. DeCaprio: 

As you know, I have chosen speech-language pathology as the subject of my graduation project. My interest in the complexity of speech and language as well as the importance of communication in everyday human life led me to choose this topic.

Verbal communication is the prime factor that distinguishes from all other species. It is our innate ability to verbalize with the world who we are and where we stand in society. Unfortunately verbal communication is extremely difficult for those people with disabilities, specifically those that suffer with speech production. With continual advances in augmentative technology, highly specialized communication devices make it possible for disabled people to carry a "voice" within the community. This recently new form of technology allows disabled students to enter a mainstream program with the benefits of interacting with peers as well as teachers. But what will happen to those verbally

Robert Meeham once said, “Every child has a different learning style and pace. Each child is unique, not only capable of learning but also capable of succeeding” (Brainy Quote). Some students are faced with difficult hurdles throughout their education. Some students have learning disabilities. Learning disabilities cause obstacles for the student, teachers and parents to face on a daily basis. In particular, younger students with speech disorders have a noticeable effect on educational programs and effects on teaching/learning process. Due to the frustration that speech disorders can cause for younger children their behaviour can become unpredictable. Parents and educators cannot be certain of child’s actions in all scenarios.

When augmentative and alternative communication it can be wonderful for people with severe speech or language problems rely on AAC to supplement existing speech or replace speech that is not functional (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 2016). It helps people use special augmentative aids that allow them to help express themselves. This can increase social interactions, school performance, and feelings of self-worth.