Introduction From being diagnosed at a young age with dyslexia and apraxia of the speech, I am not sure where I would be without the help and encouragement of my speech pathologists. ‘Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in patients’ (Summary, www.bls.org, 2015). Along with helping their patients overcome or learn how to understand their disorders, speech pathologists must keep records. Interests/Skills Used Some of the duties of a speech pathologist are, but are not limited to, evaluate patients’ levels of speech, language, or swallowing difficulty, identify treatment options, teach patients how to make sounds and improve their voices, work with patients to develop and strengthen the muscles used to swallow, and counsel patients and families on how to cope with communication and swallowing disorders (Duties, www.bls.org, 2015). ‘If the speech-language pathologists work in medical facilities, they work with physicians and surgeons, social workers, psychologists, and other healthcare workers’ (Duties, www.bls.org, 2015). Work or Learning Conditions As of …show more content…
There are some required courses that need to be taken. ‘Graduate programs often include courses in speech and language development, age-specific speech disorders, alternative communication methods, and swallowing disorders’ (Education, www.bls.gov, 2015). To legally start working as a speech pathologist, one must obtain a license which requires a master’s degree as well as s supervised clinical experience. American Speech-Language-Hearing-Association offers a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). If a speech pathologist wishes to work in a school environment, they must obtain an additional teaching certificate. (Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations, www.bls.gov,
Having the opportunity to be versatile and face assorted challenges are some qualities that I have always yearned for in a career. The diversity that Speech-Language Pathology presents its clinicians in the forms of setting, areas of expertise, and ever-changing populations that we support is motivating to me because I believe that experiencing diversity is one of the most important things that a person can do to become a more accepting, well-rounded, and empathetic individual. Working at a day camp for children the past two years has given me a widespread base of experience working with some of the diverse populations that Speech-Language Pathologists see. The children at camp have been from varying ends of the cultural, socio-economic, and disability spectrums. The main premise of this camp was to get kids to enjoy being active and
Good interpersonal skills, the ability to take another person's perspective, and problem solving are crucial characteristics for a speech language pathologist. An article from the Journal of Nursing Education titled, “The Teaching Effectiveness of Standardized Patience,” demonstrated that interpersonal skills have overwhelmingly “positive, creative and meaningful results” in clinical environments (Becker, 2006). I am a powerful and positive Puerto Rican woman who is direct, uses I-statements, and possesses the characteristics needed for a speech language pathologist. I have always been quite comfortable with complex group dynamics, conflict management, collaboration, and all the varying degrees of human interaction. I have witnessed and experienced birth, death, trauma and joy throughout my college and post college career.
Based on the responsibilities and duties of speech-language pathologists, they require specific skills and expertise in language to enable them deliver to their clients effectively. First and foremost, they need good and strong interpersonal skills. Unlike other fields or professions, the relationship between pathologist and patients is quite significant. Teamwork and cooperation are, therefore, necessary. They both work together to ensure the speech problem is remediated. Ideally, interpersonal skills enable effective, clear and positive communication between the two thereby ensuring a strong partnership grows toward achieving a particular goal. Besides, strong interpersonal skills enhance
The article I have chosen is titled Speech-Language Pathologist In Schools For The deaf. This article analyzes a survey taken of speech-language pathologist in schools for the hard of hearing across the United States. It talks about their caseload size, characteristics, delivery of service, and scope of practice. The results of this survey are compared to previous surveys taken in large and small school settings.
2B. In the field of speech-language pathology, a therapist needs to be prepared to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds with respect to language, dialect, culture, socioeconomic status, religion and sexual orientation. Describe some potential benefits and challenges to a speech-language pathologist in working with diverse populations? How would you address the challenges and benefits you described. We are all one.
The speech-language pathologists (SLPs) at Martin Health System (MHS) evaluate, diagnose, and treat a diverse patient population who present with a myriad of medical issues, the most common of which is a condition known as dysphagia. More than 80% of patients referred to an SLP at our facility present with this diagnosis. Broadly characterized by trouble swallowing, dysphagia includes everything from painful swallows, to coughing or choking while eating and drinking, or even a sensation of a lump in throat, . Complications of dysphagia can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and respiratory problems such as aspiration pneumonia, fatigue, cognitive confusion, decreased quality of life, or even death.
Wanting to become a speech pathologist didn’t happen by accident. My mom is a teacher in an Exceptional Children classroom in which I’ve had the
After my first year of college, I was preparing for a long awaited double jaw surgery for the underbite I had since I was 8 years old. One of the steps I had to follow prior to the surgery was visiting a speech language pathologist. During the session, the SLP took baseline data of my speech with an underbite since many jaw surgery patients must follow up with speech therapy after surgery due to their transformed jaw placement. From calculating my s/z ratio to observing my conversational speech, each exercise I did fascinated me. This day opened my eyes to speech pathology and the importance of effective communication.
Speech pathology focuses on aiding individuals who struggle with or cannot use their voice. Without a voice, individuals would not be able to communicate with one another face to face, or even talk on the phone. Within every field, controversy exists. In speech pathology, one such controversy is nonspeech oral motor exercises (NSOME), where a patient does different tasks involving their mouth or fingers. These exercises are believed to have no connection with actually assisting the speech pathological part of the brain, since they do not involve any sort of speech activity. Nonspeech oral motor exercises do not assist in the healing process of patients with actual disabilities, nor are they an efficient practice at a professional treatment center.
I have become particularly interested in this field due to its relative anonymity- most parents are unaware of both the capabilities of therapy and the importance of available care until it is their child who needs help. Speech Language Pathology is a rewarding field; its focus and expertise change children’s lives. However, the public school shortage often leaves parents with the responsibility of finding their own Speech Language Pathologist, a needless added burden for American
Everyone needs a little help. I need help from my teachers to learn, and other people need help to do simple tasks, as simple as tying their shoes. I have three younger brothers. Their names are Trevor, Drake, and Ross. All three of my brothers have a speech delay. I am the only one of my siblings to not have this. My little brothers were all put on an IEP for speech. They also attended the preschool at Fort Jennings School to get help. As my brothers grew up, only Drake was taken off his IEP for speech. Trevor, who is 16, and Ross, who is 8, still have a speech delay today. They are one of the reasons I believe I am meant to become a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP).
Speech Language Pathologists work with a variety of clients with different demographics. Volunteering at Press on Youth Center has exposed me to youth from different backgrounds. Communication disorders can affect an adolescent’s emotional, social, and academic success in life. I noticed that students at the youth center had various articulation disorders, and behavioral issues that affected the
As a Speech-Language Pathologist major my job setting of interest is working in a school system. To be more specific I would like to work with special needs children in a school site. This setting is the most attractive to me because for the past three years I have worked in this exact situation. I was a paraprofessional/teachers’ assistant at a middle school in a life skills classroom. My job allowed me to work alongside a speech language pathologist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist and a music therapist.
Although I begin graduate school in the fall, I am still unsure of my speech language pathology path. I understand when I begin my clinical rotations, I will be drawn to my calling. As I have explored information in my classes, I grow confused about my best-fit professional setting. When I began as a junior in college, I was leaning toward public school work, but by the beginning of my senior year, acute trauma or inpatient hospital care intrigued me. Now, after a year of working in my university’s clinic, I believe a private practice clinic would fit me. I have often found myself researching speech language pathologist jobs in the Oklahoma City area, and the private clinics serving ages two through 21 have caught my eye. I have always enjoyed
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,