A Look at Speech A Look at Speech PathologyPathologyGHECGHECASL 2ASL 23-1-063-1-06By Katy UttechBy Katy Uttech

Job RequirementsJob Requirements

EducationEducation Master’s degreeMaster’s degree

ProgramsPrograms such as special education, such as special education, rehabilitation therapies, and communication rehabilitation therapies, and communication technologies.technologies.

CollegesColleges Over 249 college programs are accredited in Over 249 college programs are accredited in

audiology or speech-language pathology.audiology or speech-language pathology. UniversityUniversity of Nebraska, University of Virginia, of Nebraska, University of Virginia,

James Madison University, Hampton University.James Madison University, Hampton University.

JobJob RequirementsRequirements

Beyond CollegeBeyond College 300-375 hours of supervised clinical 300-375 hours of supervised clinical

experience.experience. Passing score on national examination.Passing score on national examination. Nine months of postgraduate professional Nine months of postgraduate professional

clinical experience.clinical experience. State license is required.State license is required. 36 states require continuing education. 36 states require continuing education.

requirements for licensure renewal.requirements for licensure renewal.

An Average DayAn Average Day

What they doWhat they do Assess and treat those with speech, language, voice, Assess and treat those with speech, language, voice,

and fluency disorders.and fluency disorders. Diagnose nature and extent of impairment by using Diagnose nature and extent of impairment by using

written or oral tests and special instruments.written or oral tests and special instruments. Perform some research related to speech and Perform some research related to speech and

language problems.language problems.

The PayThe Pay

The average annual income is $52,410The average annual income is $52,410 Average for other health practitioners $57,240Average for other health practitioners $57,240 Average for general medical hospitals $55,900Average for general medical hospitals $55,900 Average for Elementary and secondary schools Average for Elementary and secondary schools

$48,320$48,320

Sign Language Sign Language

Helps with Helps with CommunicationCommunicationIs not required to be a Is not required to be a

speech-language speech-language pathologistpathologist

Is oftentimes used to Is oftentimes used to help with help with communication.communication.

Interview (Education)Interview (Education) Where did you go to college?Where did you go to college?

I went to the University of Nebraska at LincolnI went to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln

What classes did you take for your degree?What classes did you take for your degree? In general our classes covered just about everything In general our classes covered just about everything

(i.e. articulation-phonology, language disorders, (i.e. articulation-phonology, language disorders, audiology, neurology, motor speech disorders, audiology, neurology, motor speech disorders, assistive technology, fluency disorders, voice, etc.assistive technology, fluency disorders, voice, etc.

How many years of schooling did you need?How many years of schooling did you need? I needed a bachelor’s plus a masters.I needed a bachelor’s plus a masters.

Was it easy to find a job?Was it easy to find a job? Yes, especially since I enjoy working with children Yes, especially since I enjoy working with children

with more severe disabillities.with more severe disabillities.

Interview (The Job)Interview (The Job) What is the average day like for your job?What is the average day like for your job?

An average day includes direct treatment, An average day includes direct treatment, meetings, consultations with teachers, meetings, consultations with teachers, classroom observations, etc.classroom observations, etc.

What does your job entail?What does your job entail? My job entails direct therapy in the areas of My job entails direct therapy in the areas of

articulation, language, fluency, voice and articulation, language, fluency, voice and assistive technology. I also complete the assistive technology. I also complete the assessments in each of these areas, write assessments in each of these areas, write the assessment reports, and coordinate the assessment reports, and coordinate IEP’s.IEP’s.

Interview (The Process)Interview (The Process)

What is the general process you use to find out What is the general process you use to find out why a person has a speech problem and how why a person has a speech problem and how to correct it?to correct it? My team decides what assessment instruments My team decides what assessment instruments

would be appropriate. Then we complete the would be appropriate. Then we complete the assessments. After that we meet as a team with assessments. After that we meet as a team with parents to decide if there truly is an impairment, but parents to decide if there truly is an impairment, but sometimes your question as to the “WHY” may sometimes your question as to the “WHY” may never quite be explained unless there is also a never quite be explained unless there is also a physical etiology. Treatment options vary from physical etiology. Treatment options vary from student to student depending on their disability and student to student depending on their disability and severity.severity.

Sign Language Sign Language ConnectionConnection

How many people have speech problems How many people have speech problems because they are hearing impaired?because they are hearing impaired? None on my current caseload.None on my current caseload.

Do you know Sign Language?Do you know Sign Language? I am a little rusty, but I have used SEE in previous I am a little rusty, but I have used SEE in previous

job sites.job sites. Have you ever taught someone sign language Have you ever taught someone sign language

to help students with communicating?to help students with communicating? Yes! Some of my students with Downs Syndrome, Yes! Some of my students with Downs Syndrome,

severe articulation and/or language impairments, severe articulation and/or language impairments, plus some of my students with severe plus some of my students with severe physical/cognitive impairments have also bee n physical/cognitive impairments have also bee n quite successful using sign for wants/needs.quite successful using sign for wants/needs.

ReferencesReferences

http://www.asha.org/students/professionshttp://www.asha.org/students/professions/overview/infocoll.htm/overview/infocoll.htm

http://www.jobprofiles.org/heaspeechpathhttp://www.jobprofiles.org/heaspeechpath.htm.htm

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos099.htmhttp://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos099.htm http://www.jobprofiles.monster.comhttp://www.jobprofiles.monster.com