There are more than 100,000 Speech-Language Pathologists in the Unites States, 70% of which find themselves employed in elementary or secondary schools. Since the 1950’s, speech teachers have worked with children to improve their speaking or hearing disabilities as well as struggled with the size of their caseload and workload. Groups and organizations have made efforts to solve this problem; none have been fruitful. This is caused by a lack of adequate backing or support. Speech-Language Pathologists employed in schools face many difficulties concerning caseload and workload, including general issues, caseload stress, student placement, and even job shortages.
In the field of speech-language pathology, there are hardships that SLPs must simply work through to meet
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Otherwise, they may face criticism and scrutiny from parents and administrators. Failing to perform to expectation can leave an SLP feeling inadequate and useless. Filling out mountains of paperwork thoroughly is another cumbersome duty that is to be completed even if the SLPs have to take it home and work on it in their off time (Yeh 2). More stress that befalls Speech-Language Pathologists is the lack of funding necessary to acquire teaching materials (Yeh 2). Luckily, there are resources online available for SLPs to gather materials that have been provided by other SLPs. While there are complications that can be conquered, there are those that are simply non-flexible, such as school scheduling (Yeh 4). SLPs are fortunate if they get an even amount of students in each class period. Otherwise, they end up with a large number of students that can be difficult to tend to all at once. These responsibilities can be overwhelming to Speech-Language Pathologists, particularly those who put their all into their
When undergoing the professional training needed to practice as a speech-language pathologist (SLP), we pride ourselves in “achieving and maintaining the highest level of professional competence and performance (ASHA Code of Ethics, 2016).” Even with the many clinical hours needed as a graduate student and the additional hours needed as a clinical fellow (CF), there are some areas in the scope of practice of an SLP one might not gain experience in. When applying for our first jobs in our field, SLPs should feel comfortable with the potential clientele we will be working with.
There are many requirements that involve education and training, as well as personal requirements and aptitude. To be a Speech Language Pathologist, one must have a sincere interest in helping people, sensitivity, resourcefulness, and imagination. One must also be able to communicate orally and in writing. Michigan Works, an agency that assists with employment, posts jobs that display education and background requirements for obtaining a job as a Speech Language Pathologist. Some requirements include a master’s degree from a speech and hearing program certified by the ASHA, American Speech and Hearing Association, post-certification experience in an institutional setting. Home health experience is also desirable. One must graduate from high school and pass courses in biology, physics, social sciences, English, mathematics, public speaking, language, and psychology. Undergraduate courses should include a strong Arts/Science focus, linguistics, phonetics, anatomy, psychology, human development, biology, physiology, math, physical science, semantics, and social/behavioral science. To be an applicant for an SLP position, a graduate degree is required and also three hundred to three hundred seventy-five hours of clinical experience. Applicants have to pass
Keaunna Knox has been a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) since 2007, and has worked ever since 2000 with children with special needs who had speech and language disorders. She began as an “Instructional/Speech Aide” at Pasadena Unified School District working with children with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities. All the students she worked with had speech and language disorders, and, since the Districts therapy was overloaded Keaunna implemented the communication goals she wrote. Based on that experience and many others, Keaunna decided to enroll at Cal State Los Angeles to pursue her professional career in teaching. She received her Master’s in Mild-Moderate Disabilities in Special Education from Cal State Los Angeles and a second
My intensive Speech Language Pathology coursework at California State University- Fresno has provided me with the skills to implement treatment plans, assist during speech and language assessments, and keep formal documentation of client’s progress in speech therapy. These are the necessary skills required to be an effective Speech Language Pathology Assistant and will make me as asset to have in the school speech setting.
The qualities I possess to make me a successful speech language pathologist include compassion, open-mindedness, knowing how to be a team player and how to live out the FISH philosophy which is an approach dealing with workplace issues. Compassion is important to have in order to be patient with my future clients. Throughout my college years, I served on the executive council for my sorority for two years as Vice President of Member Development. While sitting in those meetings, I learned how to be open-minded to others’ opinions on certain topics being discussed. I also had to meet with people who were having a hard time maintaining good membership status. Sitting down and talking to those individuals taught me to be objective about the individual’s circumstance and to be as fair as possible. Not only does a speech language pathologist need to be skilled in speech treatment but also with counseling the parents and loved ones of the client who feel hopeless and helpless. Being empathetic helps create a trusting relationship between the clinician, client and family. Another quality of a great speech pathologist is being able to be a team player. Most cases require the collaboration of the speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, schoolteacher, paraprofessional, orthodontist, audiologists, and social services to
This occurs due to diminished mental capacity, structural abnormalities such as unrepaired cleft palates, or lack of commitment on the part of the patient. An additional challenge sometimes faced by a school based SLP is dealing with difficult parents and rigid and sometimes unrealistic district expectations. However, despite the challenges faced by speech pathologists, the field of study continues to grow with an expectation of a 21% increase by 2024 (“Speech-Language Pathologists”). While jobs as an SLP are readily available nationwide in a variety of different settings, the key areas of growth in the field are in the states of Illinois, North Carolina, Texas, New York, and Ohio (“Best”). The growth of the field is due largely in part to people’s increased awareness of the benefits of treatment by a speech pathologist. SLPs provide treatments which allow individuals to function better in daily life. For example, SLPs in the education field provide techniques and strategies to help students function better both in the classroom and socially. SLPs in the medical field provide support in regaining the ability to accomplish daily tasks, safely ingest solid foods, and interact socially with family and
Speech-language pathologists play a significant role in evaluation and intervention with English Language Learners. More and more SLPs are playing a teacher role in the academic environment. The role and responsibility of a speech-language pathologist is essential when identifying the most ethical and appropriate services to meet the individual needs of the student. However, evaluating ELL students can be challenging from a clinical standpoint and typically is complicated by many factors including, personal, institutional, and society interests. Many school based SLPs are not proficient in a second language and therefore are not adequately trained to provide nonbiased bilingual assessments. Current practices in speech-language pathology support the decision making process for the family and their priorities when identifying assessment and treatment options. Consideration for implementing strategies that will benefit the student most should not be overlooked.
Interprofessional collaboration is an important component in any health care. According to the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) Code of Ethics, Individuals shall uphold the dignity and autonomy of the professions, maintain collaborative and harmonious interprofessional and intraprofessional relationships, and accept the professions’ self-imposed standards (ASHA, 2016). With this in mind, it is our duty as future speech-language pathologist (SLPs) to adhere to this principle. Clinicians should utilize every resource available to assist his/her client. This even includes if the client needs a referral to a different specialist.
I completed my undergraduate and graduate studies at Western Michigan University. During this time, I accumulated over 260 clinical hours assessing and providing treatment to preschool and elementary-aged children with speech and language disorders. This has prepared me to be a qualified candidate for this position. At Richland
In the profession of speech-language pathology, there are a variety of settings and clients with diverse needs to work with. One is able to work with not only children, but people of all age groups. Throughout my undergraduate program, I was able to gain the necessary skills in order to write professional reports for both medical and educational settings. The principles of formulating goals, establishing effective communication skills, and being flexible with your clients were among the many important skills I
After practicing for over twenty years as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant, I have gained many skills and qualifications. I am a motivated self-starter, and licensed to practice in Idaho and Oregon. Working as an SLP-A has allowed me to be well versed in IDEA, and special education programs. My knowledge and proficiency have enabled me to perform therapy, follow directions, maintain daily notes, and assist with progress notes. I have been involved in various speech screenings in the schools. My experience is with a multitude of supervisors working with clients from pre-kindergarten to geriatric, both in group sessions and 1:1. In these sessions I have worked with to name a few articulation, fluency, expressive/receptive language,
A). Interpersonal skills and social affect are pertinent qualities for a speech pathologist. Success as a speech-language pathologist is not only contingent upon being able to communicate with patients. Indeed, the purpose of our job revolves around rehabilitating or habilitating patients who may have had a stroke, dysphagia, and other speech and language disorders. Social skills concerning a patient necessitate positivity and motivation, we have to empower However, one has to consider familial involvement and the medical team, conversing with a parent or a teacher can greatly differ. Often, one needs to explain the progression of the patient differently and exhibit more patience.
Faculty members are the seed of a University and at NYU – Steinhardt the faculty is as diverse as their courses and students. The research they have conducted and continue to oversee is rousing to a small town University student. When focusing on unconventional research in the field of Speech Language Pathology the importance of science is evident in most every faculty member’s goals at NYU.
For this assignment, I interviewed the speech pathologist that frequently visits the site. She began the conversation by stating there is often some confusion on what her title actually is. She says that most people call her a speech therapist when the correct term, as stated before, is a speech pathologist. I then asked her what some of the qualifications of becoming a speech therapist. They were not many. In order to become a speech pathologist one has to obtain a masters degree in the field and possess a state teaching license. I went on to ask her what her job duties were, what her typical day looked like, and what students did she service. She said that on typical day she sees about eight to ten different students at six different sites.
The information included in the interview promotes the expansion of knowledge that aides speech-language pathologists in their quest to lessen the amount of work they complete on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, it upholds the idea that even if caseload size